PETER OBI: Political Story

Obi challenged the impeachment and refused to partake in the April 2007 election that was won by the PDP’s Dr. Andy Uba. Obi’s patience was to prevail as the Supreme Court annulled his impeachment and ruled that he should be returned to power, and by that, puncturing Uba’s 17 day governorship. Following his restoration, Governor Obi’s performance in office has been hailed for its remarkable touch on the state’s infrastructure and development strategy using the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy, ANIDS. Obi’s re-election in 2010 was a hard fought victory that was partially helped by the division in the PDP’s divided house. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo who was the PDP flag bearer was not helped by the rancour that characterized his emergence as the PDP flag bearer, especially with his sister-in-law, Prof. Dora Akunyili, the likeable former minister of Information who won laurels in her earlier position as Director General of the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC. While Obi has won endearment from near and wide, given his portrayal of being apolitical, his recent actions in fighting for the soul of APGA with the national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, his inability to conduct local government elections for the eight years of his tenure and his alleged efforts in getting his protégée and banker as his replacement have changed opinions that Obi is entirely apolitical. Today's election would show how successful he has been in his endeavour. He is challenged by Ngige who is flying the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the PDP which is now reinvented and near united behind the former students’ union leader, Comrade Tony Nwoye.