OBIANO AT 7: In Okeke, Anambra Govt. is starving itself to death – Chima Christian
The collective tag on Gov. Obiano’s administration may not allow for a full appreciation of this matter. But, to its credit, Obiano’s government attracted and retained quite a number of talents. Some were given unfettered opportunities to soar. Others met a different politics of the workplace.
Personally, I consider the under-utilization of Deputy Governor Nkem Okeke to be one of Gov. Obiano’s pronounced human resource failings. Those who know Dr. Okeke say the man is loaded, both in intellect and in character. If this is true, one can begin to imagine what Anambra lost in this period of seven years because his wings were clipped.
If you look at it critically, Dr. Okeke doesn’t come off as an overly ambitious person. Moreso, Gov. Obiano metaphorically has the State House of Assembly “in his pocket.” It appears, to me, that unhealthy self-esteem and personal insecurities were allowed to take the better part of governance.
Dr. Okeke, reminiscent of the Buhari/Osibanjo relationship, found himself functioning just a little bit above a mere committee/condolence message posterboy.
To be fair, Gov. Obiano is only one out of the long list of state governors that do everything but allow their deputies to truly deputise.
I have prayed for our next Governor. May he/she have the wisdom early on to select a running mate he/she can work with, and then have the maturity to allow the person the room to fully bring his/her expertise to bear.
In Dr. Okeke, Obiano’s government is starving itself to death in the midst of plenty. And this, for a state like Anambra, is tragedy.
