Ifeanyi Uba beats Willie Obiano in First Debate before Anambra State Indigenes

in United States.<br> <br> (In a clever bid to help Willie Obiano during the

debate, Governor Peter Obi who was sitting among the audience in the hall

attempted to join the debate arguing that Mr. Uba made false accusation about

his government which he wants a chance to correct. But Uba’s team strongly

resisted governor’s attempt to join the debate. Tempers flared up, Governor

Peter Obi attempted to stage a walk-out, but was persuaded to stay on)<br> <br>

Continue reading...<br> <br> Africans In America News Watch, New York---Out of

about 23 candidates contesting for gubernatorial election schedule for November

16, 2013, only 2 (Ifeanyi Uba and Chief Willie Obiano) appeared before annual

convention<br> <br> of Anambra State Association in United States of America

(ASA-USA) taking place in Tampa, Florida from October 10, 2013 to October 12,

2013.<br> <br> The 2 contesting candidates actually appeared before the

gathering on a platform arranged for governorship candidates; they addressed the

gathering on their visions, as well as answer questions presented to them.<br>

<br> It was really intended to be an opportunity for the candidates to showcase

their plans for state, if elected into office.<br> <br> Though attendance of

Anambra indigenes in United States was rather poor, main reason being as a

result of leadership crisis rocking the national association; some group opposed

to the current leadership of the association organized and boycotted the annual

convention. Out of over 50 branches in 50 states in United States, only about 5

to 9 branches sent representatives to the convention.<br> <br> However, Anambra

State government sent a large contingent to the convention apparently to witness

an award the association gave to Anambra State Governor Peter Obi during the

convention.<br> <br> In attendance were the governor, some of his commissioners

and senior aides, the national chairman of his political party, leaders and

members of Anambra State house of assembly, about 2 traditional rulers, (Mba-

Ukwu and Nteje), few presidents of town unions, leaders of town union

associations, leadership of pan-cultural group called Ohaneze Nd’Igbo,

leadership of Awka chamber s of commerce, etc.<br> <br> Also in attendance was

Africans In America, Inc., an organization raising awareness on issues affecting

African immigrants in United States. The organization was there to present its

study and findings on the cause/s of general malaise in Anambra State,

Nigeria.<br> <br> Based on information that candidates contesting fast

approaching Anambra State gubernatorial election will attend the convention, the

leading advocacy organization attended the gathering to present its detail study

and findings titled “Who Slaughtered ‘Anambra Democracy’?”<br> <br> This study

(Who Slaughtered ‘Anambra Democracy’?) shows that Anambra State is in state of

general comatose: political, social, economic, safety and security, law and

order comatose for 2 main reasons, namely:<br> <br> 1. Because of horrors

that took place at Okija shrines over the years especially the involvement of

some segment of Anambra political class in those horrors; and<br> 2. Because

those horrors were believed to be covered-up therefore sending unmistakable

subliminal messages that frauds and crimes are the way in Anambra State and

Nigeria in general.<br> <br> And contrary to many beliefs, those horrors

apparently did not start with 2003 elections in the state. It apparently started

way prior to that period, however, political godfathers, candidates for

political appointments, government officials and politicians got deeply involved

starting in about 1999.<br> <br> This study also shows that the state of general

malaise in Anambra State today is traced to horrors Anambra political class

committed in those shrines; horrors that were believed to be covered-up.

Covering up those horrific crimes invites all sorts of criminality in the

polity. This study also shows what could happen to a society when leaders and

governments are polluted and compromised by those kinds of horrors.<br> <br>

This study also shows that for Anambra State to move forward, Anambra State

government, the people of Anambra State, the stakeholders, the owners of Anambra

State and all interested in development and progress of the state have to see

the greater harm done to the state by cover-up of the horror finds at Okija,

Anambra State in August 2004, as well as commit to appropriately resolving

it.<br> <br> “Who Slaughtered ‘Anambra Democracy’?” is a well researched paper

and a MUST READ for everyone to interested in learning the bitter truth on how a

group of people set out to corner the treasury of the small Nigerian state and

bring total ruin and destruction to the state and its people.<br> <br> On

October 12, 2013, afternoon time, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi addressed the

gathering on the achievements of his eight years in office. Towards the end of

his speech, he devoted quite amount of time to emphasis the importance of having

a formal academically educated person as Anambra State governor, a clear

euphemism to Mr. Ifeanyi Uba who is perceived as not highly formally

academically educated.<br> <br> Immediately after his speech, Chief Willie

Obiano, the gubernatorial candidate for All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)

and Ifeanyi Uba (aka, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Uba), the gubernatorial candidate for

Labour Party squared-up in a very hot debate.<br> <br> With information about

the 2 candidates in the public domain, it was supposed to be a no-contest

between the super-banker and fiscal manager (Willie Obiano), and rag-tag wealthy

businessman (Ifeanyi Uba).<br> <br> Frankly, a lot of people prior to the debate

did not give Ifeanyi Uba candidacy any form of chance.<br> <br> The national

chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, took his time to do a wonderful

introduction of his candidate Chief Willie Obiano and his very impressive and

intimidating financial and banking profile.<br> <br> The national chairman of

Labour Party, Barrister Dan Nwanyanwu also did a fairly good job introducing his

candidate, Ifeanyi Uba, a businessman.<br> <br> However, when the candidates

were handed micro-phones to speak on issues facing Anambra State and its people

and to respond to question on their plans and policies towards solving those

problems, the debate turned out to be a fight between Goliath and David.<br>

<br> Though possessing less formal education, Ifeanyi Uba, whose parents were

both school teachers showed extra-ordinary and above average command of

knowledge of the issues, the commonsense approach on plans, solution and

policies.<br> <br> His presentation, his composure, eye contact, emotional

demeanor, appropriately well-measured gestures, delivery of points after points,

common-sense solutions one after another were very impressive.<br> <br> He laid

out his vision and plans for handling grave development issues facing the state:

total transparency and accountability; reduction of crime, generation of power

supply, clear plans to turn the state into industrial hub, massive

industrialization (4 factories in each local government area) to create jobs and

cut down crimes, creation of wealth; aggressive development of grassroots

democracy through conduct of wards, council and local government elections;

simplified credit loans for start-up, small businesses, and less fortunate;

massive investment in education, health, facilities and infrastructures: roads,

water, sanitation, etc. He also laid out his numerous charity efforts helping

less privileged in the society through his foundation.<br> <br> He also

addressed mis-information and smear campaign against his education, businesses

and partnership ventures with Nigerian federal government.<br> <br> Mr. Uba came

across as a no-hold-bare shrewd and bold debater.<br> <br> Chief Willie Obiano

the presumed front-runner in the election came across as stiff, programmed,

unprepared and dis-oriented.<br> <br> In a clever bid to help Willie Obiano

during the debate, Governor Peter Obi who was sitting among the audience in the

hall attempted to join the debate arguing that Mr. Uba made false accusation

about his government which he wants a chance to correct. But Uba’s team strongly

resisted governor’s attempt to join the debate. Tempers flared up, Governor

Peter Obi attempted to stage a walk-out, but was persuaded to stay on.<br> <br>

Ifeanyi Uba was also very innovative and creative. He proposed and advocated

that a governor should appoint competent hands as deputy governor to handle

administrative matters; while in his case, as a governor, he will leave the

deputy governor to handle administrative and ceremonial functions while he will

concentrate on working to attract big industries and businesses which will

create wealth and jobs to the state. He hit many key notes and got many loud

ovations.<br> <br> After the debate, we conducted quick poll of neutral

spectators and overwhelming majority stated that Mr. Uba won the debate by wide

margin. Some wondered whether Obiano was actually prepared for the debate.<br>

<br> Shocked by outcome of the debate, we spoke to few people in both Obiano and

Uba teams and made some rather notable observations.<br> <br> Obiano teams were

generally not as communicative and responsive to after-debate interviews and

interactions. Attempts to speak with Chief Obiano were not successful.<br> <br>

Uba teams were more communicative and welcoming. The team arranged for us to

have a meeting with their candidate. Many people lined up to see him. By the

time we got one-on-one to speak with Ifeanyi Uba, he was so exhausted and

practically falling asleep on his chair; therefore, meaningful and productive

meeting could not take place. Based on that, we unanimously agreed the interview

should be rescheduled another time, either in United States or in Nigeria.<br>

<br> “With Uba’s charisma and motivation, with just a little fine-tuning, and if

his team could adopt American style campaign approach by taking his message

directly to the masses back home, he has absolute good chance at winning a free

and fair election in Anambra State, Nigeria”, said Bonaventure Ezekwenna, the

Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc. who led the organization team to

Tampa, Florida./Span