It was a private meeting. From St. Paul’s University to a stone throw crossover to the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, the presidential candidate of Labour Party, HE Peter Obi drove quietly to his former residence with a three-convoy vehicle.
His brief stay at the Evengelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion, EFAC Convention made him arrive later than appointed time. The governor was not at the Lodge on arrival. The former governor did not mind waiting. But in less than 10 minutes HE Prof Chukwuma Soludo breezed in. He went straight to a very warm hug with his guest, “oh, my dear brother. So sorry to have kept you waiting…”
Pleasantries were very warmly exchanged. Within three minutes, they settled in the visitor’s lounge for the meeting. Just the two of them, as they both requested that all aides left them, Barr Val Obienyem and I retired to the visitor’s waiting room. Their meeting lasted for about 30 minutes or thereabout. I don’t know whatever they discussed or agreed on. Just guess as much as I did. But I can only tell you that whatever they met about was positive for both parties as their expressions portrayed nothing else when we rejoined them for lunch.
Interestingly, Prof Soludo is keeping to his words of consuming only items made in Anambra at the Government House. All the delicacies were locally sourced. I settled for ukwa and washed it down with nkwu enu from Awgbu.
During the 15-minute lunch, the governor was explaining his challenges, particularly on the Security front.
Let me not reveal things he said about lacking funds to appropriately face his challenges in order to deliver on his firm promises to the people. He was talking professionally with regards to financial crisis bedeviling the Federal Government and its spillover effect to the states since February, 2022.
Let me rather talk on what I heard the professor of Economics relay as the challenges he faced and still facing in the security sector. He lamented that on arrival, he met all the Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC in non-working conditions.
He said the Unknown Gunmen were a very coordinated and astonishingly organised army that had sophisticated firearms, including locally made bombs. That they(UGM) installed security gadgets inside bushes that provided CCTV monitoring of areas they operated, which guided their swift attacks and kidnaps.
“Such army wasn’t the one to face with Hilux vans with security personnel armed with just AK 47s. So, despite the financial challenges on my arrival, I had to first of all repair all the APCs.
“When we confronted them with the APCs and sufficient fire power at their Ukpor base, it was like a world war between two very formidable armies. Exchanges of sporadic fire lasted for over five hours. It went on for two days before they were subdued,” the Prof continued.
Let me stop here because revealing further will include plans to completely rescue every inch of Anambra from the evil forces.
I was very impressed with what I heard in those 15 minutes from our governor. Anybody that means well does not pretend. And I can say that my little experience told me HE Prof Chukwuma Soludo was not pretending.
Personally, I will support him for every good step he makes and criticise him whenever I’m convinced he is derailing. And I also sincerely wish that I will never have cause to criticise him going forward.
On Okwute’s part, I don’t know the impression he took away. But he’s a very good-hearted man. He will support his governor 100% for the good of dear people of the state.
It wasn’t emphasised but I am aware that both knew that it was Obi, who bought all the APCs brand new with part of his security votes and handed them over to the man Soludo succeeded in perfect working conditions. May the spirit of Anambra guide Soludo to bequeath his successor with APCs in good working conditions instead of handing them over the way he inherited them.
Now the question; what if Obi didn’t purchase the APCs? What would Soludo have battled these bad guys with? They would still have been holding us under siege and gaining on completely taking control of the state.
When OBIdient Movement grows in organic fashion, it’s not just because he uses statistical figures in his speeches. It’s rather because majority of Nigerians have recognised a visionary leader that has the evident capacity to rescue their nation from the present crisis.
When I say this great man came far ahead of his generation better start believing me.
Tai Emeka Obasi
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