Anumudu in recent times since he renewed interest to replace Governor Rochas Okorocha in 2015.
Anumudu may not need enough spaces for introduction except for those who were not witnesses to affairs of the political firmament in Imo state at the return of our nascent democracy. When the military brass decided to hand power over to civilians in 1999, Anumudu, a lawyer, international businessman and urbane politician was one of those who signaled interest to succeed the last military administrator of Imo state, Col Tanko Zubairu under the platform of PDP. There was a battery of aspirants for the post but few including the incumbent governor, Okorocha, his predecessor, Achike Udenwa, Greg Mbadiwe and Anumudu were prominent.
The battle for the race though fierce but was interesting. According to the record keepers of that era especially those of the PDP, Anumudu came tops but was unceremoniously shoved aside for the eventual winner, Udenwa, in what proponents of Imo Charter of Equity claim was another landmark gesture of Owerri zone to give other zones chance to govern Imo. Anumudu is from Obazu Mbieri, in Mbaitoli LGA of Owerri zone. The arrangement was that since the last civilian governor of the state, Evan Enwerem came from Owerri, equity and fair play demands that other zones like Orlu and Okigwe should be allowed. Hence, of the three Orlu aspirants, the party found favour in Udenwa. The rest is history and not part of our discussion today.
My arrival into Owerri from Lagos in 2003 as a state correspondent of a national newspaper coincided with the upheavals in the Imo state chapter of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP under the leadership of Dr EJK Onyewuchi. At the centre of the discord was Anumudu and another ebullient politician, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba. Nwajiuba who represented Okigwe South Federal Constituency, 1999-2003 wanted ANPP ticket for that year’s Governorship election. Odds favoured the former federal lawmaker until Anumudu stepped in to pick the party’s ticket.
Apart from press briefings Anumudu granted the media in the build up to the 2003 general election, I can vividly recapture the mood of the lawyer turned politician when he and governorship candidates of other parties addressed journalists at the hall of the old Modotel Hotel, now Rock View Hotel moments after the conduct of the guber election that produced Udenwa winner for second time. Senator Hope Uzodimma who ran for that election under the platform of defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) was the spokesperson of the aggrieved groups followed by Anumudu.
The next was at his Obilubu, Obazu Mbieri country home few months ago when he publicly declared to run for the number one position in the state for the umpteenth time, apart from intimating his ward members and cordinators, drawn from the 27 LGAs of the state, the event marked another beginning of an era in the political history of Anumudu.
However, by providence, I had a chanced meeting with Anumudu in Owerri the state capital during the week. It was not an interview session since it was pre-arranged and the venue was not conducive for journalistic exercise. But the opportunity was golden and I never attempted to miss it. I have reserved some question to fire at those warming up to succeed Okorocha in 2015 and that opening became an avenue for an interface about his persistent quest to be incharge at Douglas House. While relaxing at an outlet one evening, I spotted somebody dressed in denim jean and a T-shirt approaching the side I sat with a friend. There was no retinue of aides, security attaches and forerunner protocols that have become the trademark of big time politicians and office seekers. Approaching was an umbrella clutching Anumudu who berthed near my position. The face cap he used for cover up was not enough decoy to betray his identity. I threw a challenge by extending “His Excellency” banters which he acknowledged with mild cheers. His kind gestures at my “entry behavour” added strength to my desire of having a chat. From the blues and without courteous approval I asked him reasons why he wants to govern Imo in 2015.
I informed him that I am worried at the number of aspirants hovering around in the name of wanting to be Imo state Governor.
When he became interested in the topic I raised, I punched harder by informing him that Udenwa left a mark after eight years, Ohakim can not be wished away despite spending a tenure because his indelible legacies still stands the test of time and Okorocha and his sympathizers will easily reel out phlethora of achievements recorded by Rescue Mission so far and boast that their superlative performances have dwarfed PDP’s twelve year, so what does he think he can do that these persons have not done in office?
As if my question was the needed elixir to open up on his dreams and reasons why he chose the “Onye Ma Uzo” mantra, Anumudu revealed that his burning desire to be the people’s Chief servant arises from calculated attempts to take Imo to the promise land.
According to Anumudu “all previous governors have tried and done their best to take Imo to greater heights, but there is a missing link, and that is what I have come to offer, I have done a careful study of the state and discovered vital missing points that need to be fixed for things to work out fine”.
The PDP governorship aspirant noted that there is difference between growth and development adding that if given the mandate he will organize an economy driven government to ensure better conditions for Imolites. Anumudu observed that the monthly allocation to the state are grossly underutilized for the development of the grassroots adding that LGA funds will be domiciled in the respective councils for the growth of the area. Speaking further, Anumudu noted that creation of industrial clusters and small scale industries that will not only provide jobs and but also improve local economy are what Imo people need.
Anumudu who spoke on wide range of issues concerning his package for Imolites noted that he is turbo-charged to deliver and give Ndi Imo the best as Onye Ma Uzo.
According to him, several areas of importance that would have improved the economy have been neglected. “I will fix it. I have no reasons to run anybody down to realise my bid.
I have my package, when I unleash it, Nde Imo will see that the difference is always clear. What matters is character of the person and not manifesto or blueprint prepared by a professor but implementation will be difficult.
No manifesto, or blueprint will work when the character traits are poor. We have seen some governors marshall out agenda, programmes and promises before elections, but the whole arrangement crashes as soon as they enter into power.
“I urge Ndi Imo to look at the character of those asking for their mandate. That will determine where they are coming from, where they are going and what they have to offer if giving the chance”
On what he intends to do if victory comes to his side in 2015, Anumudu disclosed that he would not destroy structures kept by the predecessor. “It is bad politics. It is beginning of the end of any new government to destroy whatever was met on ground. It is absolutely wrong to destroy what your predecessor made or for unknown reasons fail to complete projects especially the good works of your predecessor that will be beneficial to the masses. Service to the masses does not imply rubbishing the projects or actions of your predecessor as the case may be. The central point or focus should be what is beneficial to the entire populace.
Explaining further, Anumudu disclosed that since government is a continua, he will focus on completion of projects started by his predecessors that are geared towards uplifting the lives of the people. He said that it is worthless destroying or abandoning old erected structures and building new ones to create effects.
Anumudu promised to run a purpose driven government that will be agenda-setting in the history of the state. Since it was not a full blown interview, I managed with what I had the opportunity of sourcing from the man who claims to be Onye Ma Uzo
