Grass root government; Are the people of Anambra State political conscious?

Topic: Grass root politics and the ignorance of the people to Goverment: Are the people of 

Anambra politically conscious?

Politics according to Chambers 21st Century Dictionary is the science or business of the 

government. It is also the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or 

other forms of power relations between individuals, such as the distribution of resources or 

status. Grass root politics has to be local and come from the people.The importance of Grass 

root Government cannot be over emphasized, as it is seen as the politics that are nearer to the 

people.Grass root politics or movement on the other hand is one which uses people in a given 

district, religion, or community as a basis for a political and economic movement. Grass root 

politics encourages people to, especially the members of a community to take responsibilities 

and actions for their community. Take for example, there are some indigenes of Anambra state 

that have rendered and are still rendering community services to their community. People like 

Sir Godwin Ezeemo . He has set up numerous businesses in Anambra as a means of alleviating 

unemployment. He has a massive Orient farm in his home town Umuchu , the farm deals in 

poultry production. There is also 'Fresh Life water', which is producing and distributing best 

quality drinking water to all parts of Anambra state, there is to his credit, a filling station named 

'Union Haulage Filling Station' and many other investments, all these employ thousands of 

youths. He is also the founder of 'Charity Trust for the less-privileged ', a non governmental 

organization that have cared for the needy in the community. He has also sponsored a football 

competition in Aguata Local Government Area. He has also given scholarship to brilliant 

Anambra indigenes. Another prominent man who contributed to the growth of his community in 

Anambra state is Late Chief Anthony Enukeme, CEO of Tonimas Group. Anthony Enukeme 

hails from Neni Town in Anambra state. He held the Onowu Title until his death. When the 

people of Neni celebrated their new yam festival on August 13th, 2016, he gave out so many 

gifts that day. Some were given in cash , while other persons received generator plant, 

motorcycle, tricycle popularly known as Keke-Napep. Chief Enukeme has offered job 

opportunities to over ten thousand people. When he was alive, he involved in the production and 

marketing of high quality lubricants, aluminum roofing sheet and nail productions. These 

investments employs many youths, who ordinarily would have been idle doing nothing. Another 

prominent man is Chief Innocent Chukwuma. He is a business man and an investor. He is the 

CEO of Innoson vehicle manufacturing company. We can recall that on the 27th of April ,2020, 

Unuezena Community in Umudim Nnewi lauded Innoson on his plans to build extension of his 

factory in the community. His plans were highly commended by the members of the community, 

because he has received so many offers from people in other states for building the extension of 

the factory. There are other members like Chief Cletus Ibeto and Dr. Chikaima Okafor who have 

contributed to the development of their community. As we can see, there is no doubt that Grass 

root government is geared towards achieving development and also to ensure active participation 

of citizens in the affairs of government.

Ignorance according to Oxford Dictionary means ' The condition of being uninformed or 

uneducated'. Therefore, political ignorance means lack of information or knowledge towards 

political activities in the State. Ignorance of people towards political activities can lead to chaos 

and disorders in the community. One major cause of this problem is illiteracy. There is an adage 

that says "when you are not informed, you are deformed". This political ignorance is not only 

limited to the ruled, it can also be seen in the rulers alike. This political ignorance resulted to 

chaos and anarchy in Anambra state during the regime of Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju.Teachers and civil servants in the state were not paid their salaries , this led to strike action by 

workers for nearly a year. Hunger almost wiped off the people of Anambra during his regime. 

The chairman of Nigeria Bar Association( Anambra Chapter) was assassinated together his wife. 

Basic social amenities that were meant for the betterment of the people were not provided for . 

Ignorance opens an opportunity to seek knowledge and make discoveries, so therefore, we 

should seek for political knowledge . Political knowledge has these advantages; it help citizens 

achieve their own interests and make decisions that conforms to their attitude and preferences, 

promotes supports for Democratic values , facilitates trust in the Political system.Thank God for 

the tenure of Governor Peter Obi, he was like a God's sent to the people of Anambra. Many 

indigenes of Anambra state found favour during his regime. Many basic social amenities were 

provided, he constructed many roads, rebranded the educational system and many more.

 Political conscious means that people have awakened to their true political role and to their 

actual identity. I can proudly say that the people of Anambra state are politically conscious, 

because they always come out in masses to vote in any gubernatorial and presidential elections 

to ensure that they bring out best candidates that will represent them well in Government. The 

rich ones among them support candidates for election, majority of the people of Anambra state 

are involved in so many political parties like APGA, PSP, YPP etc, and they also involved 

themselves in election campaigns, many of them are seen discussing political issues of the 

country. 

In conclusion, the people of Anambra state are politically conscious of the happenings in the 

state, that is why they have the best governor. Of course, when the government is working , the 

people are happy. The people of Anambra state are comfortable and happy with their working 

governor, Dr. Willie Obiano. This is as a result of the popular participation of the people of 

Anambra state towards political activities.