NOMADIC POLITICIANS IN ANAMBRA STATE

	Politics in Nigeria is not based on objective parameters but recklessly driven by subjective inclinations. In advanced democracies, politics is a contest of ideas within party platforms and a political party could be conceptualized as a formal organization with ideology whose most fundamental objective is the control of the governmental apparatus. In their bid to control seat of power, parties mount vigorous electioneering campaigns in order to sell to the electorate their programme of action as outlined in their manifesto. There is an implicit assumption therefore that ideally people will belong to a political party based on ideology and subscribe to the developmental ideas, strategies and cardinal programmes enshrined in their party  manifesto. Therefore, rate of political prostitution in Anambra state is now at worrisome stage.  Of course, change is only thing permanent in life. Human beings are quite susceptible to changes. But changes could be selfish in which case a person desires a change purely because the prevailing state of affairs does not grant him an opportunity for the realization of certain personal gains and ambitions. On the other hand, there could be changes motivated by altruistic considerations in which case, the change could be sought for the greater benefit of people or collectivity. In the Nigerian political scene with particular reference to Anambra State , changing political loyalties by politicians is gradually becoming an obscene pattern. Conscience and integrity are no longer properties of many politicians in Anambra State , what is prevailing there is a cast of clowns, comedians and political charlatans, people with unenviable reputation.            Only few politicians in Anambra State have shunned political infidelity and have been in one party since 1999, these are Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Amb.Jerry Ugokwe, Barrister Olisa Metu, Professor A.B.C. Nwosu, Former Governor Virgy Etiaba, Sir Emeka Offor,  Sir Cletus Ibeto, Professor Stella Okuna, Dr Tony Macfoy Akachukwu, Princess Stella Oduah, Okey Ezenwa, Chief Simon Okeke, Churchil Ezeama, Joe Onwuasoeze,  Chief Nzube Etoniru, Amb. Sam Okechukwu, Barrister Okey MuoAro, Barrister Ivy Obi Okoye, Tony Nwoye and some few others.  The massive political party decampings which we have been witnessing in Anambra State since 1999 have demonstrated that unlike what ideal party men should be, Anambra politicians have this propensity to remain only superficially committed to their party programmes and objectives.  Like a piece of chaff, they seem to be ever ready to be wavering about in the political wind with the expectation that they would eventually settle where the political terrain is ubiquitously dotted with patches of milk and honey.  In other words, an average Anambra politician does not necessarily have to be guided by principles, to him the best place to be is where the material pay is most attractive.           Now, check out the nomadic movement of some of these prominent Anambra politicians since the inception of this democracy in 1999.  These carpet crossers or gold diggers always discarded a chunk of their integrity for inordinate ambitions and selfish reasons. Governor Peter Gregory Obi, a business man and now a crafty politician came into Anambra stormy politics with a poster asking whether Anambra is under curse, he moved from P.D.P to A.N.P.P before he connived with late Chief Emeka Ojukwu and snatched A.P.G.A governorship ticket already given to Chief Ralph Nwosu. The current speaker of Anambra House of Assembly, Princess Chinwe Nwebili won her first election in 2007 under the platform of P.D.P.  She is now in A.P.G.A.  Almost all the current members of Anambra  House of Assembly from P.D.P, A.C.N, and Accord parties are now in A.P.G.A.           Senator Clement Annie Okonkwo and Barrister Joe Martins Uzodike are dancing like flirtatious women in political arena of Anambra State .  Senator Okonkwo was in P.D.P and contested 1998 Senaorial Primaries and narrowly lost to Senator Ajaegbo.  He later joined ANPP in 2003, he came back to P.D.P and won Senatorial Seat in 2007.  he left P.D.P again in 2009 and joined P.P.A where he sponsored his friend Hon. Uche Ekwunife as the P.P.A Governorship candidate for 2010 election.  After this election he came back to P.D.P where he lost Senatorial Primaries and moved to Accord Party and lost his Senatorial seat in 2011 elections, he is now either P.D.P or A.P.G.A.           Like Senator Okonkwo, Barrister Joe Martins Uzodike the recently appointed Commissioner of Information Anambra State was in P.D.P where he contested 1998 House of Representatives Primaries and lost to Amb. Jerry Ugokwe, he contested 2003 governorship election on platform of U.N.P.P with slogan “Solutions 2003”.  He rejoined P.D.P after 2003 elections and was given an obscure post by Dr Chris Ngige, he moved to A.P.G.A and supported Mr Peter Obi in his second term bid as one of his campaign coordinators.  He came back to P.D.P and later followed Senator Annie Okonkwo to Accord Party in 2011 and was one of his campaign directors.  He abandoned Senator Okonkwo in Accord party and fled back to A.P.G.A where he is now a Commissioner.            Iyom Uche Ekwunife, a fast moving lady.  She was a strong confidant of former Governor C.C. Mbadinuju then she was in bank.  She entered politics in 2005 and contested 2006 P.D.P House of Representatives primaries with Barrister (Mrs) Nkechi Mba and she won.  With immense help from Senator Annie Okonkwo, she defeated Barrister Emeka Etiaba and Engineer Chikwendu and clinched P.P.A Governorship ticket in 2010.  After the 2010 election, she came back to P.D.P and then left to join A.P.G.A in 2011 where she won her second term in House of Representatives.           Honourable Charles Odedo, an absentee legislator and bench warmer in House of Representatives, he was in all factions of P.D.P in Anambra State before he joined A.C.N.  Hon. C.I.D Maduabum was a two term member of House of Representatives, he moved from P.D.P to Accord Party and lost his seat 2011 elections, he is now legislative Aide to Deputy Speaker Sir Emeka         Ihediora, his friend and former colleague just because of power and privilege.  Chief Ken Emekai was the pioneer secretary of P.D.P in Anambra State , he later became Commissioner of Works under Dr. Mbadunuju, he joined A.D in 2003 and later came back to P.D.P after several months in detention in connection with the brutal murder of Barrister Barnabas Igwe and his wife.  He left P.D.P for Hope Party and then to Labour Party, in recent times he is claiming to be State Chairman of P.D.P.            Other Anambra politicians that have moved like Fulani herdsmen in search of greener pasture are Senator Emma Anosike from P.D.P to A.C.N now back to P.D.P.  Senator Joy Emodi from P.D.P to A.P.G.A now back to P.D.P, Senator Andy Uba from P.D.P to Labour Party now back to P.D.P.  Hon. Nicholas Ukachukwu from P.D.P to Hope Party now back to P.D.P,  Barrister Obinna Uzoh from P.D.P to N.D.P now in P.D.P.  The dethroned godfather, Chris Uba (Eselu) from A.N.P.P to P.D.P, then to D.P.P in 2007 then back to P.D.P.  Others are Professor Dora Akunyili, Hon Chuma Nzeribe, Senator Ikechukwu Obiora, Former Governor C.C. Mbadinuju, Hon, Uche Ekwunife, Former Speakers K.C. Enemuo, Emeka Anyanetu and Ifeanyi Enemchukwu, Chief P,C. Agu, Chief Chike Uzoewulu, Sir Kosigine Ufondu, Rommy Igwe Ototo, former Deputy Governor Chinedu Emeka, Chief Felix Oli, former Minister Tim Menakaya, Dr, Emeka Eze, Mr Ifeanyi Ubah (Capital Oil), Dr. Obi Ogbolu, Hon. Chidi Duru, Hon. Celestine Ughanze and host of others.           In the light of these numerous examples, one cannot resist the temptation to brand these people jumping from one party to other as mercenaries who see politics as a means of self enrichment and aggrandizement.  And at this juncture, it is pertinent to look at a very fundamental question.  Is a nomadic politician trust worthy?  I might not be able to give a straight forward answer to this question.  However, I can say that the political merchant of fortune is like the proverbial leopard that cannot change his colour.  The political mercenary is powerfully motivated by the desire to reach his political paradise through any available and expedient channel; he is like a pastoral Fulani or massai tribesmen, always on the move for better political pasture.           This is simple truth, these nomadic Anambra politicians may not be trust worthy, hence the compelling necessity not to entrust them with any sensitive or important position.  Their level of commitment as party men is nearest to zero, their chameleonic actions are usually done without pangs of conscience and they can desert their people any time and without notice.  I may then conclude with the description of mercenaries as was given by the philosopher, Machiavelli in his book, Prince.           Machiavelli did not mince words in recommending that any wise prince should avoid using mercenaries in fighting his wars.  According to him, these mercenaries are useless and dangerous, disloyal and undisciplined.  They are brave among friends but cowardly before the enemy, they have no fear of God, neither do they keep faith with their fellow men.  Such description aptly fits the nomadic and mercenary politicians of Anambra State and as 2014 governorship election is fast approaching, let Anambra people resolve that they should no longer entrust their destiny in the rough hands of these political buccaneers. Sampson Anezu writes from Nnewi. 08035400997