The Anenih I know.

Much has been said and written about the person of Chief Tony Anenih and his role in politics, viewed negatively by many. While the celebration of his 79th birthday is still on, I consider it necessary to avail the public the benefit of my knowledge and perception of this elder statesman, whose image has assumed a leviathan status in Nigerian politics.

Many see Chief Anenih as a wicked and selfish fellow who does not believe in fair-play and justice. Some also rate him as the most generous, liberal and hardworking political strategist of our time. These conflicting views of the chief are not without iota of truth, depending on wherefrom you view this colossus. If you are lucky to be favoured by his leadership, you may be tempted to see him as next to God as you may not find anyone as generous and caring as him. You may be tempted to call him names as negative as a devil if you are on the side of his opponent because you probably may not find any formidable and fiery enemy like him.

As a journalist during the second republic, especially during the build-up to the controversial 1983 general elections contested by the defunct NPN, UPN, NPP, GNPP, PRP and NAP, I first knew Chief Anenih when he edged out his elder kinsman, Late Chief Anthony Enahoro out of NPN state chairmanship and conquered Chief Tayo Akpata in the struggle for that office and finally took over as state chairman of NPN. Stories were told of how he violently subdued his opponents within his home Esan land. He did all that then to secure victory by fair or foul means for his party governorship candidate, Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, an eminent Bini son, over his (Anenih’s) kinsman and then incumbent UPN governor of the defunct Bendel State, Professor Ambrose Alli of blessed memory.

My clear memory of this his role continues to make it impossible for me to agree with those who brand him a tribalist. As I write, I remember several non-Esan beneficiaries of Chief Anenih’s favouritism and tutelage, whom he lifted from the bottom-most part of political obscurity to state and national limelight. What I know of the old man is that he is a fanatical party man and a self-asserting leader. When he led the NPN to sponsor Dr Ogbemudia against his kinsman, Professor Alli, some Esan people accused him of betraying the course of Esan, his ethnic group, but whenever he has had reason to promote an Esan indigene above someone from other ethnic groups, especially Bini, he is vilified as a tribalist. Yet he seems, in my estimation, to have uplifted more Binis than any Bini group or individual in politics.

What strikes me most in the political life of Chief Anenih is that whereas he is such a faithful leader who lifts beggars to wealth, most of his followers are often in a hurry to betray or abandon him when the political tide turns or appears to be turning against him; and when he regains control, such deserters run back shamelessly to drink again from his stream of favour.

But the likes of the Ugbesia twin brothers, Odion and Akhere, who are ever ready to swim or sink with Chief Anenih continue to reap bountifully from the fruits of their unceasing loyalty to him. Even during military interregnum, when he did not have direct government patronage, he shared his personal resources with his loyalists. During the Abacha regime when he enjoyed patronage, he extended his caring hands to his favourites.

His role in the post-June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Chief M.K.O. Abiola of blessed memory on the platform of Social Democratic Party, SDP, of which Chief Anenih was national chairman, is his most negative record in politics held against him till today. He alone can defend the charge against him concerning June 12 and the Abacha junta. I recall vividly, when Chief Abiola visited him at his old residence in Benin City in 1993, and I joined him to receive M.K.O; Chief Anenih accused Chief Abiola of fleeing the country without alerting him as the national chairman of the SDP on which platform Chief Abiola won the most credible presidential election. Chief Abiola, a man rich in parable and proverbs as in wealth, replied humorously that “a bird does not tell his fellow bird that a stone is coming.”

In a resent discussion with Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, first governor of Edo State, who won election on SDP platform on December 14, 1991, under the leadership of Chief Anenih, Oyegun disputed the popular claim that his election was bankrolled by Chief Anenih. But he credited Chief Anenih with the vigilance that foiled the attempt by the opposing National Republican Convention, NRC, to rig that election at the final collation centre. Chief Oyegun recalled how Chief Anenih woke him up at about 2am in the night following the election and urged him to mobilise his supporters to the office of the National Electoral Commission, NEC, as it was then called, to protect his result at a time his opponent was mobilising to tamper with the result. Chief Oyegun is a Bini man, yet Chief Anenih stood by him!

During campaign seasons, most leaders from the three senatorial districts go cap-in-hand begging him for money, which he often gives generously as if his resources is abundantly limitless. After victory, however, the leaders from South and North Senatorial Districts often object to every attempt by their pre-election benefactor to influence choice of appointees to political offices from their senatorial districts, urging him to confine his control to his home-base Central Senatorial District - Esan land. They try to resist every attempt by him who ‘pays the piper to dictate the tune!’

Those favoured by his selection from south and north hail him as national leader while those not favoured condemn him with all kinds of bad name.

Chief Anenih’s fighting spirit and loyalty to his party is worthy of emulation. He led Chief Oyegun to defeat Chief Lucky Igbinedion in 1991 and surprisingly led the same Lucky Igbinedion to defeat Mr. Lucky Imasuen and Senator Roland Owie in 1999 and 2003 respectively. He often projects his loyalists for nomination during his party primary, but where his loyalist lost, he stands by the nominated candidate in true party spirit.

In 1993 I observed at close range that Chief Anenih often denied himself of sleep during campaigns, he used to work late in the night and rise too early in the morning. Sometimes, he used to take a nap for about an hour during meetings without going to bed. I asked him how he was able to cope. He revealed to me that contrary to the claims of those who credited that habit to his police background, it was actually inherited from his late father. He told me how strong his late father was till death so much that up till few minutes to his demise, he inspected his compound, visited his neighbours and counselled his children and prayed for them and went to rest peacefully.

Whoever knew how strongly Chief Anenih fought against the re-election of Comrade Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole in the last July 14 Edo State governorship, will be surprised to hear him distance himself from the attempt by his party’s defeated candidate to challenge the election in court. He has directed PDP to allow Oshiomhole’s victory to be. That is Anenih, good fighter in times of war and a great peacemaker and bridge-builder after war. Chief Anenih is the best friend one should pray to have and the worst enemy one should pray never to have. Which political party would not celebrate if Chief Anenih decides to join its fold? Let us respect the old man for his fighting spirit even when he has fought against us.

It seems popular to write off Chief Anenih’s political leadership as one without positive result. Many chose to ignore the fact that it was during Chief Anenih’s tenure as Works Minister that the ministry constructed the first phase of the Benin City by-pass and commenced the dualisation of Benin-Asaba and Benin-Warri Federal Highways. Many admire the fine little ring road now linking Murtala Muhammed – Sapele Road – Ikpokpan Street in Benin City, but hate to credit Chief Anenih with it.

I think we should learn to praise our leaders for the good they did even as we criticise them for their bad doings, while they are alive. Not to always wait till they die before writing or singing their praises. Deserved praises encourage emulation of good characters as deserved condemnations discouraged people from taking after bad characters.

Comrade Godwin Erhahon is the chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC.