Posted by By AZOMA CHIKWE on
The quest by Dr Andy Uba, PDP gubernatorial candidate in the controversial April 2007 election, to mount the governorship saddle in Anambra State at the expiration of Governor Peter Obi's tenure is a mere pipe-dream, as there is no provision for the concept of governor-in-waiting, in the Nigerian Constitution.
•There's nothing like Governor-in-Waiting in the Nigerian Constitution
The quest by Dr Andy Uba, PDP gubernatorial candidate in the controversial April 2007 election, to mount the governorship saddle in Anambra State at the expiration of Governor Peter Obi's tenure is a mere pipe-dream, as there is no provision for the concept of governor-in-waiting, in the Nigerian Constitution.
Senator Annie Okonkwo, who gave the clarification on Monday, explained that the nation's constitution has clearly spelt out modalities for the emergence of a governor in each of the country's 36 states.
Uba, who was declared Anambra State governor after last year's governorship polls, had his tenure terminated by the Court of Appeal 11 days after he was sworn in. A court has, however, ruled that Uba was governor-elect, insinuating that the former aide of former President Olusegun Obasanjo would take over after Obi's term.
But speaking during a courtesy call at The Sun's corporate headquarters in Lagos, Okonkwo disagreed with the position describing Uba as a governor-elect. According to the senator representing Anambra West senatorial district at the Upper Chambers of the National Assembly, the term governor-in-waiting was non-existent in the nation's book of law.
Senator Okonkwo said that it was curious to refer to Andy Uba or 'governor in waiting in Anambra State, because the constitution has clearly mapped out the procedure for the election of a governor in any state.
He disagreed with the court injunction that described Andy Uba or ‘governor in waiting' who will take over from Governor Obi his tenure.
His words: 'Anybody that says there is a governor in waiting will have to explain that because we have a constitution and it is clear about how a governor emerges, there is nothing like governor-in-waiting."
On his political ambition, Okonkwo disclosed that he would allow events shape his political future. While affirming that he had no plans to quit politics in the near future, the lawmaker, however, denied that he had made up his mind that his next port of call would be the Anambra Government House.
Said he: 'I am already a senator. When I complete my term I can't say what happens next. In fact, I am not in a position to say now what will happen when I complete my term as senator."
He commended the Jim Nwobodo-led committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reconcile estranged party stalwarts in the South East, saying it would enable the PDP regain the states it lost to other parties in the zone.
Noted the senator: Jim Nwobodo committee is one of the best things that have happened to PDP. This is to first time the PDP decided within their own house and within their zone to bring out people that are responsible and have character to go find out what has happened in the PDP. Before, we had five governors in the South East, but today we have only two. But we have majority in the House of Assembly, House of Reps, and senators. Why just two governors? Because of problem in-house.
'I believe that one of the things being recommended is how to strengthen internal democracy in-house, an idea President Yar'Adua bought fully. On my side, I have no bad feelings about democracy. The issue is that we must be able to maintain due process, rule of law, what the party says. And that is what I always stand for. And once you want to go contrary to it, definitely I will oppose it. That is what we are experiencing now. We don't want it to be business as usual.
'We want to give people true democracy. Even if it is one party, let the people have opportunity to be whatever they aspire to. Let their destiny and their fate not rely on only one individual. And thats what we are saying in Anambra State. As far as I am concerned, that is what is going to be achieved. And once we achieve that, even if we have one party state, the term democracy is not rested on one individual but on the people, you can still come there, if you want to contest any election. And once you emerge, you know you emerged through democratic principles, not through imposition. That is going to strengthen the PDP, and that is what we are fighting for. And that's what I stand for."