PRINCE ARTHUR EZE’S REJECTION OF PETER OBI: A SIGN OF GOOD OMEN, AN INDICATION THAT THERE IS TROUBLE IN THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS IN NIGERIA, THE VERY REASON THE MASSES MUST STAND BY PETER OBI.
By Ekpenyong Isaiah-Isababa
Before I tell us why the open rejection of Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections by Prince Arthur Eze is a good OAMEN, a sign of good thing to come for the ordinary Nigerian and the very reason Nigerians must stand up to support Peter Obi, let me tell those who do not know Prince Arthur Eze who he is.
Arthur Eze is a Nigerian oil mogul, philanthropist, politician, and the CEO of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, the largest privately held Nigerian exploration and production group. The Igbos call him, ‘ozoigbondu’ of Igboland and he is said to be the 8th wealthiest man in Africa. Prince Arthur Eze is from Anambra State.
Why Arhtur Eze Is Afraid Of Peter Obi
Before the emergence of Peter Obi as governor of Anambra State in 2006, Anambra State was one of the most dangerous states in Nigeria, held down by armed robbers on one side and on the other side, a set of very greedy and dangerous political godfathers, which included amongst others, Prince Arthur Eze, Chief Chris Uba and many others.
Anambra State became ungovernable from 1999 to 2003 under Gov. Chiwonke Mbadinuju, a PDP governor, as it was a constant tussle between the governor and these greedy godfathers on who to control the finances of the State. In order to make sure that Chiwonke Mbadinuju is not given a second term in office, the tussle let to the killing of the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Anambra branch and his wife to finally tarnish the image of the then governor and put a stop to his second term ambition.
Chief Chiwonke Mbadinuju was succeeded in office by Dr. Chris Ngige another PDP governor in 2003 who was again sponsored by these greedy political godfathers and cabals. Again, Dr. Ngige was not allowed to rule the State as his refusal to part with almost all the internally generated revenue of the State was seen as an afront and around 2005, Dr. Ngige, a sitting governor was forcefully kidnapped and asked to resign, which he refused.
By providence, in 2006, the Judiciary came to the rescue of the Anambra people by declaring Peter Obi the actual winner of the 2003 governorship election in the state, which saw the removal of the cabal-sponsored Chris Ngige from office, and brought normalcy back to the State, and the cabals who had no hands in the emergence of Peter Obi had to return to whatever business they were doing and that marked the end of them feasting on Anambra treasury, an act Arthur Eze will never forgive Peter Obi.
Again, Prince Arthur Eze as one of the Igbo ‘political leaders’ has been one of those negotiating nationally for what comes to the Igbo people. He has since 1999 remained one of the cabals that is on the neck of Nigeria. Recent news has it that since 1999 to date, for anyone to become governor of Anambra State, you must meet certain condition given by Arthur Eze, except in the case of Peter Obi, which has much to do with parting with certain percentage of the State’s internally generated revenue and giving him powers to appoint certain numbers of commissioners. No wonder, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo (Nwa Mgbafo) and Prince Arthur Eze are currently best of friends and the first action in office by Soludo as governor was to increase taxes paid by taxis and motorcycle riders.
So as to remain relevant both in business and politics, Prince Arthur Eze has remained friend with all the presidents in Nigeria and in 2019, he told the Igbo people to vote for Muhammadu Buhari because Buhari will handover to Engr. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State. These formed part of the reasons Engr. David Umahi defected from PDP to APC and today, will Buhari still hand over to David Umahi? Arthur Eze is currently asking Igbos to support Atiku Abubakar because Atiku will handover to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo. Will the Igbos and Nigerians believe this deceit from him again?
Prince Arthur Eze has never supported any cause that will not be to the benefit of his business. His fear about Peter Obi is the general fear currently inherent in every person, man or woman that has been feasting on Nigeria’s treasury who believes the emergence of Peter Obi as president of Nigeria in 2023 will put a stop to it.
For you ordinary Nigerian yearning for good governance, hear me, more people like Arthur Eze will come up in the days ahead to say they don’t support Peter Obi. But these are clear signs that there is trouble in the kingdom of darkness in Nigeria, a good omen and reason we must all work to deliver Peter Obi in 2023 to free Nigeria and Nigerians from their captivity and bondage. If Zambia, Kenya, Rwanda could do it, my people, we can do it too in 2023. …Ekpenyong Isaiah-Isababa, Commander, Infantry Pen Battallion (isacool4good@yahoo.com)