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By Joe Anatune
In the course of my career in the marketing communications industry, I have seen good and well intentioned organisations run into reputational crisis that went beyond their control, which threatened their very existence. More often than not, the issues that tugged them were perception-related, which might be far from reality. This is tricky, because in the business of public relations, perception is everything. Organisations and brands know that negative perception can be damaging.
However, I have seen many pull back from such challenges and even turn such into advantages and leap into greater things. Such is the nature of life for individuals and organisations. My take in all this is that once the soul or brand’s essence is anchored on a genuine intention to solve societal problems with clear commitment, it is easier to overcome when life throws such debilitating challenges.
No doubt, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been nursing some wounds for the past two years as a result of the reputational crisis that cropped up from its mired primaries in the run up to the last general elections. Imo state – and to some extent, Anambra state – were the epicentre of the crisis that engulfed the party and threatened its internal cohesion.
Naturally, hell was let loose and all manner of blames and vituperations were poured on the leadership. The opposition poured flame on the bad news and reaped handsomely. In the hysteria, not many actually took time to do a critical analysis of what happened. I proffer the following insights.
As result of the willpower of Governor Willie Obiano to keep the APGA light shining brighter in Anambra state and his overwhelming victory in his second term bid, APGA became the most beautiful bride in all South East states and beyond. As expected, Anambra became the model state to reference and emulate as the performance of the governors of some other states were adjudged unsatisfactory, mediocre, lacklustre and uninspiring. It, therefore, followed the run of nature that citizens of Imo, Abia and many other states wanted and prayed to be like their Anambra counterparts. In their public and private domains, they longed for Anambra’s famed security of lives and property, the street lights, the 24-hour economy, the good road network, the world class educational system, the friendly business environment and many others. In fact, they wanted or aspired to be like Anambra.
This was the mood in Okigwe, Umuahia, Aba, Owerri, Keffi, Orlu, Makurdi and many other cities. This engendered massive inflow of people to Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, Umunze, Amawbia and several other towns to tap into the Anambra golden fleece, created by a responsive APGA government.
Of course, politicians, as smart as ever, read the mood correctly and in the bid to take advantage of the situation, many flocked into the party. This was cheering news. The bad news however, was that many were ideologically not connected with what the party represents. The scenario turned into a congregation of strange bed fellows as the goal for many was to use the party as a vehicle to grab power. Therefore, a fierce battle ensued over who grabs the party tickets which were perceived as sure routes to power. As they say in Economics, demand was not only more than supply, but overwhelmed it.
True, this can be an organisational challenge anywhere in the world, that is, managing diverse individuals that are ideologically apart. I recall that the party made a lot of efforts to inculcate in the new albeit overly ambitious entrants, the guiding principles of the party as handed down by the iconic leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Particularly, I remember what could be tagged as an orientation workshop for all aspirants in Awka during which a BOT member, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo eloquently laid down the ground rules of how the party could attain greatness and relevance within the African context, guided by the ideological frameworks he canvassed. Alas, the over-arching ambitions of many blurred these fine points while the battle of wits took centre stage.
Yes, there was a deluge of demands for the limited vacancies in the political space which the party could offer. This spurned concomitant grim struggles for the prized tickets. So, if truth must be told, the aspirants know deep down that their survival-of-the-fittest tactics was the cause of what threw away the begging opportunities to expand the frontiers of the party.
But that is now history.
His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano and Dr. Victor Oye have carried on like leaders who know that success, like life, is neither a bed of roses nor a 100-metre race. They have kept the light, which the GREAT IKEMBA ignited, shining and aglow. Anambra, notwithstanding the human and economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, still occupies number one in many national, human development indices.
Happily, from all indications, the Obiano Administration that flourishes on the veritable APGA platform is poised to finish on a high, going by his legacy projects such as the Anambra International Cargo Airport in Umueri, International Conference Centre, Awka, the Prof. Soludo-led Anambra Vision 2070 and a security architecture that is the envy of other states in Nigeria.
Ndi Anambra and friends are not losing sight of what is happening even under limited resources, a situation where the government is doing more with less. There is no doubt that the reputation of the party is on the ascendency, and more importantly, better days are ahead for the party to deliver more.
We salute the duo of Obiano and Oye, for keeping faith and ensuring that the cock crows soundly in the early hours of everyday, an uplifting reminder that ”Nkea bu nkeanyi.”
*Joe Anatune writes from Awa in Orumba North LGA, Anambra State.
