Anambra South: Andy Uba, a very bad example in Leadership

By Tobenna Obiano

The 2019 General elections would be happening in the next few days, say, two weeks from here. Ahead of that said elections, many are still considering where to align or stand, or where not to.

There’re many who have made up their minds on who, or who not vote, and also, many undecided voters. What’s primary is that the people should decide and be a part in deciding who governs them. Nigerians must be allowed to vote and where need be, to be voted for. This is of utmost importance.

In Anambra State, I write without intent of sounding immodest, or for any reason whatsoever, Anambra South is the worst represented Senatorial zone in Anambra State, if not the entire Igboland. It’s actually become a huge task for Anambrarians to decide on choices of candidates who are to continue to serve, that’s for other Senatorial zones, but in Anambra South, the take is one - the APC candidate has failed, and failed woefully too.

At my last book launch hosting in Awka, Anambra State, I met with a few new faces, who were later to meet up with me. When we settled for a meeting, their message and intention was to support Sen. Andy Uba’s re-election bid. A few days after that, again, I met with the man himself, and the message was same, that he be supported in his aspiration.

Sometimes, the Nigerian political class takes every ordinary or privileged Nigerian as a fool. They feel these Nigerians do not think, or even if they do, they don’t have rights to differing stands. That can’t be applicable to me however. I always speak bluntly, even though it comes with respect when need be.

I told Sen. Andy Emmanuel Uba quiet bluntly, “I can’t support you”. I was saddened that the message he was sharing and making a case for, is that if he wins for this fresh tenure of four years, that he would most likely be qualified to attain the Senate Presidency. Infact, he goes about with the euphoria and fallacious conclusion that he’s underway to becoming the next Nigerian Senate President. Laughable!

What has Sen. Andy Uba done rightly?

In the Senate, there has been a very poor outing for him, a terrible one indeed. Every serious Senator should’ve this courage to understand that his primary job is legislature, not charity and not creating unnecessary confusions. At the Senate, Andy Uba has never been known as someone who has any driving force whatsoever. He’s never spoken powerfully, neither is he taken seriously.

The other Senators from Anambra State speak powerfully and make worthwhile contributions on that floor, including Ohamadike, Sen. Victor Umeh even with his late entrant to the red carpet chambers. Sen. Andy Uba one can say is more like a spare tyre, only to complete Senate numbering.  His presence is never felt, no serious contribution. He’s just as many would prefer to refer to those in his class, a habitual benchwarmer at the Senate.

What about the usual constituency projects? How has Sen. Uba impacted on the lives of his people. The minutest acts which he ought to be gifting to his people, and the grassroots aren’t forthcoming.  What becomes of a man who abandons his immediate constituency and locality, only to return after a four years of showmanship, ridiculous and shameful outing to once again ask for votes from the electorates.

What about getting back to his constituents? What’s the relationship with his people. Those who he represents, do they’ve assess to him? Somehow, it’s only when elections comes that he gives a damn about the grassroots, his locality and his people. This is not leadership. The hallmark of leadership is excellence service delivery to the people.

Anambra South has been reduced to a laughing jest zone, solely because of the years of shameless representation by the Uba brothers and family.  Even in those years, what are the gains of the people? Absolutely nothing to show for it.

Andy for one served as a member of President Obasajo’s kitchen cabinet, through the backdoor, was stolen into Awka Government House as Governor, but was booted out by the court. He has thus far spent nearly eight years for two tenures, yet with nothing worthwhile to show for it.

Anyone who has visited Uga, the home town of the Uba brothers would be infuriated and angered that they’ve failed even in taring roads in their community. Where in the entire Anambra South has Sen. Andy Uba in the last eight years, where has he tarred half kilometer of road. No place, not one!

Where exactly has Chief. Andy Uba as a two term serving Senator done good? What’s his selling point? What are his campaign pointers?  Where has he done well? Where exactly?

Leadership should be left principally for serious-minded individuals, who have shown seriousness, zeal and willingness to excellence service delivery. A leader is the representative of his people, this to a larger extent is lacking in Andy Uba and even his strongest supporters knows this.

I’ve seen with sadness, utmost dismay and disbelief, that some young persons who their future are continually toyed with, by a very bad example in leadership, hailing, jubilating, appreciating and celebrating Dr. Uba, a man who has proven that even with all the contacts and links within his reach, he cannot impact positively on his people. Is even more saddening to see young persons who their future are ridiculed by this sort of dismal representation praising Andy. Well, if Buhari still has fans, why won’t Andy.

A subtle reminder is that there’s life after this February elections. Young people who have assess to some of these political bigwigs, particularly the duo of the Uba brothers should always remember quite clearly, that there’s life after this elections. They may continue to wallow in the euphoria, fantasy and plutonic world of fanfare that all is well. We hope after the elections, these praises would continue and that they continually have assess to these men.

Anambra South has suffered for many years. The people have been poorly represented. The zone has bled enough from failed service of the people. There’re powerful sons and daughters of Anambra South, it’s about time they come together, speak with one voice and eject this ridiculous, shaming and uncharacteristically poor representation from the Senate.

Anambra South deserves better. Andy Uba can’t be the answer, neither would his brother, Chris Uba bring the luck. Even if Ukachukwu seems promising, only the person of Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is the man with the magic wand that can rescue Anambra South from abysmal and poor representation to true greatness.

Anambra South must eject and reject Andy Uba. They would also need to ignore Chris Uba. Nicholas Ukachukwu isn’t the option. The choice and odds would favor Ifeanyi Ubah.

Anambra South must get better, the journey has begun and Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is the answer.