Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State said he doesn’t need the help of his predecessor, Mr Peter Obi to win in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, stressing that the former governor, cannot on his own make him governor.
He said this when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, shortly after he emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Asked how he expects to succeed in his reelection bid having reportedly fallen out with some of those who were key to his emergence as governor, including Peter Obi, he said it was up to God and not one man.
“First, it is God that makes the king. Again, let me also correct this impression; Peter (Obi), the former Governor, cannot on his own make me the governor if the former chairman of the party or the whole party did not agree. So, it is a wrong perception to think that one person can come and make you a candidate,” he said.
He, however, acknowledged that the former governor played a role in getting him elected.
“But having said that, he (Obi) helped us during the campaign, ran around and all those stuff, but I have established myself firmly through my performance and that is what people listen to.
“I don’t believe in Godfatherism and you can see how I played it out. I am a very straightforward, no-nonsense, very focused, very visionary leader and I don’t need to climb the back of anybody. My performance this past three-and-a-half year is stellar,” he added.
The emergence of the governor as the sole candidate of the party, which is witnessing a leadership tussle between Victor Oye and Martin Agbaso has not been without criticism.
Tuesday’s primary was organised by the Oye-led faction and saw the governor emerge as the party’s flag-bear having been the sole aspirant in the primary.
In a phone interview, also on Politics Today, factional APGA chairman Agbaso said the primary was unconstitutional.
“I always say that the key to unlocking Nigeria’s progress is the rule of law so you can say that what happened today is quite an abuse of the law and constitution of this country,” Agbaso said.
“The Supreme Court is very clear on this matter that only the National Working Committee of a party can conduct primaries into any office. Now the leadership of APGA as an order of court rests under my control, I am the Chairman of APGA.”
Governor Obiano, however, dismissed the claim, saying Agbaso is “a non-issue” and has no say in the activities of the party.