Anambrarians: The lungs with which Nigeria breathes

BY EVARISTUS AFAMEFUNA EKWEM

As the politics in the region climbs to a crescendo, the self-acclaimed messiahs are at it again. Some persons in politics have promoted themselves beyond their competence. I have chosen to give a gentleman’s take on recent happenings in the state. A close look at a few lines from the music of Bunny Wailer titled ‘Cool Running’ aptly describes the situation: “Rope in. Come on and tune in. I said you ride in. Cause this session is vital. Check scene. Come on and bide in. I said you rope in. Cause this rhythm is vital.”

Recently, the scenario in Anambra state is worrisome. Some are insisting on no elections. Others are pointing religious fingers at other religious bodies. Those who are not ready for governance but have promoted themselves beyond their competence are busy smearing and running down better qualified candidates. In all of this, the chances are that we may end up with the worst case scenario that will probably be worse than that of the Dark Ages where some of us whose parents were civil servants nearly missed graduating from school due to non-payment of workers’ salaries.

Surely, governance is an ongoing project, one might say. But not when the one on the steering wheel assures us that Lagos is our destination, yet the route he or she is taking can only lead to Calabar. Ndi Anambra anya saa unu oooooo (Anambrarians shine your eyes ooooo!). It was particularly disturbing to see trending in this era a clergyman making a case for the religious denominational political affiliation of candidates, instead of going for the candidate with capacity and integrity in this era of global governance. I wonder whether religion is not our primary problem.

Good governance has nothing in common with religion, except for ethical considerations. Religion, when evoked by religious politicians, is only used to garner support for their drowning candidate who may be looking for leverage. The era of Anglican-Pentecostal-Catholic politics in the state is over. This is the era of supporting the candidate with the capacity and solution to the state’s immediate and future problems. I urge every Anambrarian with a PVC and who desires a better future to pay attention to the quality and competence of candidates and shun those who have not outgrown the politics of the ’90s.

How do we distinguish true politics from bad politics? Those whose emphasis is centered on generating the best ideas and how to give them life as opposed to those who discuss persons based on their religious affiliations should be listened to. Anambra has changed and developed a great deal and we say forward ever and backward never. We welcome continuity of what is good and preservation of what is best. Assimilative conservation of what could be an ongoing governance debate of the direction the state should go will lead to a logical sequence and anticipation of a better future for all Anambrarians.

The question is, among the candidates contesting for the governorship position, who has shown consistency in the application of these principles in their career? This is the question that calls for an honest answer which I leave to the conscience of every voter in Anambra.

Permit me to share a small history from one of the oldest institutions in the world, to help bring clarity to some of us whose line of thought is denominational politics. The Catholic Church had an ancient axiom from Cyprian of Carthage: Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus (Outside of the Church there’s no salvation). However, when the Church was a small persecuted minority, the axiom was targeted at the schismatics. When Christendom was at its peak in Roman Empire, the same axiom targeted anyone who is not Catholic. Scholars during the European discovery and invasion of America questioned the brackets in the axiom. Thus, prior to Vatican II, through scholarly questioning, the understanding of the axiom changed positively. Such that wherever charity abounds, there is Christ. That’s what we call genuine development in doctrine. Doctrines do not change. But our understanding of it changes.

I, therefore, plead with leaders of churches not to politicise Anambra’s election beyond what it is. And to all Anambrarians wherever you find yourself, I beg you not only to be good but do good. The age of denominational quarrels is over. Every Christian has an inherent desire to remain true to the real and original teachings of Jesus Christ. Church controversy should not play a role in Anambra state.

Finally, IPOB should be mindful of the fact that if through their action and inaction a bad leader is chosen in Anambra, everyone suffers. That platform, if not well managed, could be hijacked by bad politicians who will take us back to our fate in the ’90s. Ndi Anambra ibem ka anyi muru anya ma noro kwa na nche (My fellow Anambrarians, let us keep our eyes open and let us keep watch).

Let us bear in mind that we are the lungs with which Nigeria breathes. We must get the November election right in Anambra state by choosing the best among the best. And those who are not chosen must, in humility, join hands in building our desired state. The era of winner takes all is long gone. Let’s be an example to the rest of the Nigerian states where N4bn is being budgeted to control and end encrypted WhatsApp. This is why the Psalmist says that God in the heavens laughs and God is laughing them to scorn (Psalm 2:4). Who is fooling who? Ndi Anambara ekene m unu. Ndu mmiri, ndu azu. Udo diri unu.

Evaristus Afamefuna Ekwem, OCD, is a governance expert. He writes from Nairobi, Kenya.