It is no longer news that in view of the 2023 elections, the first Progressive Party in Nigeria, All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA held her National Rally at Ekwueme Square, Awka, Anambra State, Saturday, January 14, 2023.
One of the take-homes from the event was the sharp contrast between the peoples’ impression of the incumbent, Mr Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo and his predecessor, His Excellency, Chief Dr Willie Mmaduaburochukwu Obiano (Akpokuedike Global). The general consensus was that Akpokue Dike Aguleri displays strikingly more color and swag to his carriage than Professor Soludo.
As the scream of ‘Akpokue Dike Global’ rented the air with the pomp and pagaentry that introduced and followed the ex governor to his seat at Ekwueme Square, one could perceive the nostalgia of the people.
This was their ex who they battered with so much caricature and negative press for being too dandy and extravagant albeit too affable for an executive governor. Now, it was as if they missed him and his romantic ways direly. Their present husbandman they have named a taskmaster.
People recalled how Obiano would wait for his baritone-voiced Assistant on Special Duties to stir him to the podium with flowery titles and accolades while a flutist (a special aide too) would provide melodious accompaniments. He would then take his time to practically cat walk to the podium looking like a movie star on a world premiere red carpet.
Ndi Anambra shared how much they missed Willie. Governor Soludo was too colourless, too serious and straight to the point for their liking. Izunna said, “Imagine, the first thing Soludo did on assumption of office was to remove the title of His Excellency from his portfolio. The one title that was thrown about more than a zillion times by his predecessor. Professor Soludo said he should be addressed simply as Mr Governor.”
As I observed how those that stood with Governor Soludo maintained sober expressions while Flavour’s latest track Game Changer blasted away from the speakers, with just the governor and Yule Edochie daring to sway to the music, it was obvious it was no longer business as usual at Agu Awka.”
I was struck by the realisation that we the people are very poor followers. I saw a play out of the human tendency to believe the grass is always greener on the other side. Willie Obiano was called names for being too agreeable and quick to negotiate while Soludo is now being bashed for being the exact opposite. What can one do to satisfy the world? Although I felt Soludo needed some class from Obiano on appearance. One of the 48 laws of power stated that Appearance is everything.
Nobody talked about the fact that APGA’s presidential flag bearer, Professor Peter Umeadi was not even in the picture of what made buzz. Did he attend the rally? Was the rally not supposed to have had his presentation as its climax? Rather, the people were more concerned about the fact that Willie’ wife, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano who is also APGA’s Anambra North senatorial candidate made her own appearance felt though she had to endure the presence of Mrs Bianca Ojukwu.
In all, it was obvious that APGA gave Nigerians something to talk about and from the turnout experienced, the party would be one to beat at the polls especially in her mother state, Anambra.
