Blame Anambra Security Threat On Niger Delta Militants

Mike Udah, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State ascribes the recent upsurge in crime wave in the state to the activities of hoodlums fleeing the onslaught of the Federal Government’s Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta among other things in this chat with ONYEKA AJUMOBI

Q: Against the backdrop of the violent crimes being committed in Anambra State in recent times, observers are quick to conclude that Governor Peter Obi is fast losing grip of security matters in the state. How correct are they?
A: The problem of security in Anambra State is not a peculiar problem; it is a problem that has remained like a stubborn fly in all the states of the federation. There is practically nothing the state governor, Mr. Peter Obi should have done that he has not done.  If anything, the governor pre-empted this otherwise threat to security. When he took over the mantle of leadership in 2006, he dislodged all those gangsters who had carved out territories for themselves, and were extorting money from people – NARTO, Bakassi, MASSOB and what have you. He began to strengthen the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence, Nigerian Army and other paramilitary agencies. This is the civilised way of handling the issue of security against the crude method of engaging some unconventional organisations that are not recognised by laws of the land. As we speak now, he has provided more than 100 vehicles, communication and operational equipment to the Police, the Army, SSS, Immigration, even the FRSC. Three armoured personnel carriers have been delivered to the police.
Q: So, why, in spite of all these efforts, do criminals still hold the state hostage?
A: Yes, it is surprising that between March 2006 and about two months ago that Governor Obi has been in the saddle in the state, Anambra was counted as one of the most secured states in the federation, only for the trend to suddenly change. This calls for a lot of questions from the inquisitive mind; why all of a sudden?
I can provide some answers. One of them is the volatile security situation in the Niger Delta. This resulted in the infiltration of Anambra State by some hoodlums fleeing from the recent onslaught of the federal government’s Joint Military Task Force in the volatile region. Then, their next refuge obviously became Anambra State, as the state is nearest to them in terms of geographic location from the Delta State axis, and from the Rivers State axis, Abia State.
As we speak, they have practically infiltrated the entire South-East region of the country. Therefore, it is wrong to assume it is Anambra State alone.As it is in Anambra, so it is in Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Enugu and other parts of the country.
It became even so severe recently in Abia that the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji practically called on the Nigerian Army to take over the security duties of the state, as the entire state was simply overwhelmed. So, how would you now say it is Anambra problem alone? Then again, was it not in Kaduna State that a Canadian who came on a humanitarian mission was kidnapped, and in Enugu State, a UNDP official was also kidnapped? How much noise was made about these? But, if it was to be Anambra, the whole world would be abuzz with cacophonous rhythms. All these are just futile attempts to portray Governor Peter Obi in bad light, because certain people have vowed that Anambra State would not be peaceful anytime a practical reformer comes on stage as the governor.
Secondly, the opposition are ever unrelenting in their determination to create a false sense of insecurity in the state, so that Governor Peter Obi may be seen as incapable of managing the state’s security matters, and the federal government would be prompted into, maybe, declaring a state of emergency in the state.  This is how desperate they have become, in order to frustrate his second term bid. Too bad.

Q: How successful would you say the state government’s programme on development, ANIDS, has been in terms of positive impact on the lives of the citizens?
A: The Anambra Integrated Development Strategy, ANIDS, is as successful as the word success, and I will tell you why. The programme has succeeded in impacting greatly on all sectors of the state’s economy simultaneously. As development is going on in road construction, so it is going on in education, health care, general infrastructure development, etc; all at the same time. Generally speaking, ANIDS has transformed Anambra State.

Q: Now that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has recognised Chief Chekwas Okorie, the factional chairman of your Governor’s party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, as the bonafide chairman, and the new chairman and the governor hardly ever work together, what is the possibility of Governor Obi standing for re-election on the party’s platform?
A: The matter is in the court as we speak, and we trust in the impartiality of the judiciary as succour provider for the oppressed. Everybody knows that the recent recognition of Chekwas Okorie instead of Chief Victor Umeh by INEC is controversial. Let’s leave it at that, as I wouldn’t want to speak on a matter already before the court.
For Gov. Obi, I must confess to you that he is going for re-election, and he will be doing that on a political platform recognised by law.

Q: In other words, it is not compulsory he stands on the platform of APGA.
A: No, I didn’t say that. What I mean is that we are optimistic that the court of law will view the situation critically and eventually, Chief Umeh will still be returned, as he is the bonafide chairman. What INEC has done should be viewed with coloured spectacles. And for now, Governor Obi sticks with APGA.

Did you Enjoy this story? you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Random Post

• September 1, 2008 -- Kero Tears For Masses (2)
• March 2, 2009 -- Governor At Last (0)
• July 6, 2009 -- Honour For Foe (0)
• April 28, 2008 -- EFCC Raids Bauchi (0)
• March 16, 2009 -- Big Banker At 75 (0)
• May 25, 2009 -- Not Yet Democracy (2)
• October 27, 2008 -- NDLEA’s New Drug Control Strategies Recording Success (27)
• June 2, 2008 -- Losing The Local Content Race (0)
• July 28, 2008 -- From Prayer To Tragedy (0)
• November 24, 2008 -- Backstage; 1 December, 2008 (0)

No tags for this post.

Related posts

• No related posts.