The leadership Anambra deserves – Nwibe

As political gladiators square up for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State holding later in the year, the Group Managing Director of SEGOFS Energy Group, Engr. Barth Emeka Nwibe, has declared his intention to run for the top job in Anambra State under the All Progressive Congress (APC) platform.

A native of Igbouwku in Aguata Local Council of the state, Nwibe, an accomplished oil and gas expert with specialisation in oil and gas drilling, exploration, production and engineering support, said he’s in the race to provide quality leadership for Ndi Anambra and by extension the Igbo race, which is in dire need of credible leaders with track records.

“Life is not just about being comfortable; there’s need for some of us to get involved in politics. I just realised there’s poverty in the land; our institutions are in bad shape due to poor leadership. As a successful businessman, yes you can try, but it’s only through politics that you can effectively impact your immediate environment. If people like us don’t get involved, then these other people will get there, make laws and do all sorts of things to control us. I’m in the race to provide credible leadership in Anambra State,” he said.

Having been in the oil and gas sector since 1987, Nwibe has worked for multinational service companies, as well as consulting for Shell Petroleum for five years. A widely traveled man, he attended several technical and management training courses related to oil and gas and energy sector in North America and Europe.

In 20016, Nwibe founded SEGOFS Energy Services Ltd, which comprise of SESL Drilling Services Ltd and CAD 2 Data Services Ltd, and has been the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer till date. The company is an upstream oil and gas firm with specialization in drilling, measurements and engineering services. He is also Chairman of 4CAST Engineering Company Ltd, Smart Drilling Services Ltd, Emery Nigeria Limited and Heartland Hydrocarbon Company Ltd.

Though not your typical career politician, Nwibe is also not new in the game of politics, having contested for the Federal House of Representatives seat in Anambra State. Though failed to make it to the Green Chamber, it was a learning experience for the engineer.

“Politics in our state Anambra had always been fixed in the past; it was always kind of rigged. People get together sometimes in a place, write results and announce them. Sometimes, they use the Police and Military and do whatever they want to do.”

On his knowledge of the grassroots, he said his previous attempt took him to meet the people.

“It made me know my local council very well; I visited a lot of communities within my local council, where I discovered that our schools are in shambles. I got to know what politics is, in terms of how reliable certain groups of people could be. It was a very good experience for me; it afforded me the opportunity of knowing certain things I would never have known if I hadn’t contested,” he said.

On his chances of picking the APC ticket and winning the election, especially with the caliber of contender in other parties, Nwibe said; “these people you are talking about are not popular on the ground; they don’t win popular elections. I know this time around, they are not going to have INEC, DSS and Police with them; they are going to come out and contest this election like every other person because of the time we are today; because of the politics of change.”

On the incumbency factor, which will likely work in favour Governor Willie Obiano, who is also seeking a second term, Nwibe explained that, “PDP had been manipulating things in Anambra State until APGA got into it. APGA was not standing alone; they did a deal with PDP. So, all the elections in Anambra State were always manipulated one way or the other. But I believe that times have changed because of the man we have today as the President; I think we are going to have a level playing ground in the election.”

He continued: “For the first time, the so-called powerful politicians will go and test their popularity on the ground. It wouldn’t be a situation where somebody stays in his house to write election results and announce. That’s what gives me confidence; I believe we will see real democracy in action this time around.”

As for Governor Obiano, he said “Willie Obiano wouldn’t be the first governor in Anambra State that did one tenure. I’m from Anambra South Senatorial Zone and if you recall, governor Mbadinuju did only fours years and our people felt he wasn’t doing well. One way or the other, he was voted out. I know he’s the incumbent, but our people will decide whom they want; that’s the beauty of democracy. He’s going to test his popularity and we know how he got into government and disappointed even the people that got him into power,” he said.

On the chances of his party APC in Anambra, he said, “I believe our people realised they made mistake in the last election, which clearly put us out of political equation in the country. Anambra today need somebody, who thinks differently and when I get there, I will do things differently; we will refocus Anambra for sustainable development. So, I’m not afraid of his incumbency powers; he will do his show and we will do our show,” he concluded.