Willie Obiano
{{Short description|Nigerian politician, banker and technocrat}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = Chief
| name = Willie Obiano
| image = Picture of Governor Willie Obiano at the Funeral of Bishop Okafor (cropped)
| image_size =
| alt = Picture of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State at the Funeral of Bishop Okafor
| caption = Willie in 2014
| order1 = Governor of Anambra State
| deputy1 = Nkem Okeke
| term_start1 = 17 March 2014
| term_end1 = 17 March 2022
| predecessor1 = Peter Obi
| successor1 = Charles Soludo
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1955|08|08}}
| birth_place = Aguleri, Anambra State, Nigeria
| party = All Progressives Grand Alliance
| spouse = Ebele Obiano
| website = https://willieobiano.com/
| occupation = Politician
Banker
| termend =
| termstart =
| deputy =
| preceding =
| predecessor =
| office = 4th
}}
Willie Obiano {{IPAc-en||audio=Ig-Willie_Obiano.ogg}} {{langx|ig|Mmadụabụrochukwu Obianọ}} (born August 8, 1955) is a Nigerian politician, banker and technocrat. He was the 4th Governor of Anambra State from 17 March 2014 to 17 March 2022.{{cite web|url=http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=117048|title=Labour leaders praise Obiano on workers' welfare|work=Daily Sun|accessdate=2 May 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://theunion.com.ng/gov-obianos-scorecard-100-days-after/|title=Gov. Obiano's Scorecard 100 Days After|author=The Union|work=The Union|accessdate=2 May 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://leadership.ng/news/375814/anambra-residents-laud-obianos-performance-100-days-office|title=Anambra Residents Laud Obiano's Performance In 100 Days In Office|author=Leadership Newspaper|date=24 June 2014|work=Nigerian News from Leadership News|accessdate=2 May 2015}}{{Cite web|title=Willie Obiano Archives - Page 4 of 15 - The Nation Newspaper|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/tag/willie-obiano/amp/page/4/|access-date=2022-02-25|website=thenationonlineng.net}}
Early life
Governor Obiano was born at Aguleri, a town in Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria.{{cite web|url=http://www.premiumtimesng.com/letter-to-the-editor/157094-open-advice-new-anambra-governor-chief-willie-obiano-chukwuemerie-uduchukwu.html|title=An Open Advice To The New Anambra Governor Chief Willie Obiano, By Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu - Premium Times Nigeria|work=Premium Times Nigeria|accessdate=2 May 2015}}{{Cite news |last=This Day Live |date=2016 |title=After 25yrs of Chequered History, Anambra on the Path of Sustainable Growth |work=This Day |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/09/04/after-25yrs-of-chequered-history-anambra-on-the-path-of-sustainable-growth/ |access-date=30 June 2022}}
He received a bachelor's degree in Accountancy from the University of Lagos in 1979 and a Master of Business Administration from the same university.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/100-days-in-office-a-governor-takes-stock/182754/|title=100 Days in Office: A Governor Takes Stock, Articles - THISDAY LIVE|work=thisdaylive.com|accessdate=2 May 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Afeez Hanafi |date=18 March 2022 |title=Things you may not know about Obiano, latest ex-gov in EFCC net |work=Daily Trust |url=https://dailytrust.com/things-you-may-not-know-about-obiano-latest-ex-gov-in-efcc-net |access-date=30 June 2022}}
Banking career
Governor Obiano began his banking career in 1981 at the First Bank of Nigeria before he left to join the service of Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc as an accountant and rose to the position of Chief Internal Auditor.
In 1989, he was one of the auditors that audited Texaco Refinery in Rotterdam, Netherlands.{{cite web|url=http://dailypost.ng/2014/03/17/profile-of-new-anambra-governor-willie-obiano/|title=Profile of new Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano|work=DailyPost Nigeria|accessdate=2 May 2015}}{{Cite news |last=This Day Live |date=January 2022 |title=A TOAST TO WILLIE OBIANO |work=This Day |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/01/22/a-toast-to-willie-obiano/}}
In 1991, he joined the Fidelity Bank as Deputy Manager and head of Audit unit and rose to the position of executive director in October 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/obiano-at-57-finally-a-new-star-rises-from-the-east/185885/|title=Obiano at 57: Finally a New Star Rises from the East, Articles - THISDAY LIVE|work=thisdaylive.com|accessdate=2 May 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Chinelo Obogo and Chukwudi Nweje |date=29 August 2017 |title=Anambra guber: The top contenders |work=The Sun News Online |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/anambra-guber-the-top-contenders/}}
Political life
Obiano left the banking system to join Nigerian politics and in 2013 contested the November 16, 17 and 30 Anambra State gubernatorial elections on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.{{cite web|url=http://www.punchng.com/news/apga-candidate-obiano-sued-for-double-registration/|title=APGA candidate, Obiano, sued for double registration|work=The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper|accessdate=2 May 2015}} He won the election and was sworn in on 17 March 2014 to succeed Peter Obi.{{cite web|url=http://icirnigeria.org/supreme-courts-affirms-gov-obianos-election-victory/|title=Supreme Courts Affirms Gov Obiano's Election Victory|author=Administrator|work=icirnigeria.org|accessdate=2 May 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Premium Times |date=17 March 2014 |title=Obiano sworn-in as Anambra Governor |work=Premium Times |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/156902-obiano-sworn-anambra-governor.html |access-date=30 June 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Tony Edike & Vincent Ujumadu, Nwabueze Okonkwo |date=18 March 2014 |title=Obiano sworn in as Anambra gov |work=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/obiano-sworn-anambra-gov/ |access-date=30 June 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Channels Television |date=17 March 2014 |title=Willie Obiano Sworn-in As Governor Of Anambra State |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2014/03/page/25/ |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=Channels TV}}{{Cite news |last=Ameh Comrade Godwin |date=17 March 2014 |title=William Obiano sworn in as Anambra State Governor |work=Daily Post |url=https://dailypost.ng/2014/03/17/william-obiano-sworn-anambra-state-governor/ |access-date=30 June 2022}} On 18 November 2017, he was re-elected as Governor.{{Cite news |last=John Abayomi |date=17 November 2017 |title=INEC declares Obiano winner of Anambra election |work=Punch |url=https://punchng.com/breaking-inec-declares-obiano-winner-of-anambra-election/ |access-date=30 June 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Channels Television |date=19 November 2017 |title=APGA's Obiano Secures Second Term By Landslide Victory |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2017/11/19/breaking-apgas-obiano-secures-second-term-with-landslide-victory/ |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=Channels TV}}{{Cite news |last=Azeezat AdedigbaandAgency Report |date=21 November 2017 |title=Anambra Election: APGA thanks Buhari for Obiano's victory |work=Premium Times |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-east/250160-anambra-election-apga-thanks-buhari-obianos-victory.html |access-date=30 June 2022}}
His tenure ended on the 17 March 2022.{{Cite news |last=Agency Report |date=18 February 2022 |title=Osinbajo, Fayemi bid Obiano farewell |work=Premium Times |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/512203-osinbajo-fayemi-bid-obiano-farewell.html |access-date=30 June 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Ovat |first=Michael |date=14 March 2022 |title=March 17 handover: Obiano serves quit notice to political appointees |work=Nigerian Tribune |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/march-17-handover-obiano-serves-quit-notice-to-political-appointees/ |access-date=30 June 2022}}{{Cite web |last=ONYINYE CHIJIOBI |date=16 March 2022 |title=GOV OBIANO REELS OUT ACHIEVEMENTS AS HE ENDS 8 YEAR TENURE |url=https://radionigeriaenugu.gov.ng/all-news/local-news/gov-obiano-reels-out-achievements-as-he-ends-8-year-tenure/ |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=radionigeriaenugu.gov.ng}} It has been held, and arguably so, that it was Peter Obi that drafted Obiano into politics, further cementing their relationship which is traceable to their service together in Fidelity Bank.
Corruption allegations
In late November 2021, not long after Charles Chukwuma Soludo was elected as Obiano's successor, it emerged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had placed Obiano on a watchlist so it would be informed if he left the nation; Obiano had flown abroad earlier in November.{{cite web |last1=Sanni |first1=Kunle |title=EFCC places Governor Willie Obiano on watchlist |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/497132-efcc-places-governor-willie-obiano-on-watchlist.html |website=Premium Times |access-date=30 November 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Adelani Adepegba |date=24 November 2021 |title=EFCC places Anambra gov, Obiano, on watch list |work=Punch |url=https://punchng.com/breaking-efcc-places-anambra-gov-obiano-on-watchlist/ |access-date=30 June 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Guardian Nigeria |date=25 November 2021 |title=EFCC places Obiano on watch list |work=The Guardian |url=https://guardian.ng/news/efcc-places-obiano-on-watch-list/ |access-date=30 June 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Channels Television |date=24 November 2022 |title=EFCC Places Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano On Watchlist |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2021/11/24/efcc-places-anambra-governor-willie-obiano-on-watchlist/ |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=Channels TV}}{{Cite news |last=Kazeem Ugbodaga |date=24 November 2021 |title=JUST IN: EFCC places Anambra Gov., Willie Obiano on watchlist |work=PM NEWS |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/11/24/just-in-efcc-places-anambra-gov-willie-obiano-on-watchlist/ |access-date=30 June 2022}} In response to the EFCC's move, the Anambra Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba, stated that the EFCC had gone to a "new low" by releasing the letter placing Obiano on the list. Adinuba also claimed that it was well known that Obiano was planning on moving to his residence in the United States after leaving office.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-26|title=I'll relocate to U.S. after my tenure, Obiano replies EFCC|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ill-relocate-to-u-s-after-my-tenure-obiano-replies-efcc/|access-date=2021-11-26|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}}
Although the EFCC did not state the reason for the watchlist placement, speculation about potential investigations in alleged corruption led journalists to investigate the finances of the Obiano administration.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-18 |title=Things you may not know about Obiano, latest ex-gov in EFCC net - Daily Trust |url=https://dailytrust.com/things-you-may-not-know-about-obiano-latest-ex-gov-in-efcc-net/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=dailytrust.com/ |language=en-US}} On 30 November 2021, the Peoples Gazette released an exclusive on bank documents showing that on 29 March 2017, Obiano had withdrawn over ₦4 billion from multiple Anambra security vote allocation accounts with no stated explanation.{{Cite web |last=Olubajo |first=Oyindamola |date=2021-11-30 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Bank documents expose how Governor Obiano took N4 billion from Anambra treasury on same day |url=https://gazettengr.com/exclusive-bank-documents-expose-how-governor-obiano-took-n4-billion-from-anambra-treasury-on-same-day/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=Peoples Gazette Nigeria |language=en-US}} Adinuba rebutted that "the document...doesn’t appear genuine" and "the figures you quote look extremely ridiculous."{{cite web |last1=Olubajo |first1=Oyindamola |title=EXCLUSIVE: Bank documents expose how Governor Obiano took N4 billion from Anambra treasury on same day |url=https://gazettengr.com/exclusive-bank-documents-expose-how-governor-obiano-took-n4-billion-from-anambra-treasury-on-same-day/ |website=Peoples Gazette |access-date=30 November 2021}}
Hours after Obiano left office and thus lost immunity from prosecution on 17 March 2022, he was arrested by the EFCC at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The reason for the arrest is yet to be announced but EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwajaren said it was connected to the watchlist placement and that Obiano was attempting to flee the nation.{{cite web |last1=Daniel |first1=Soni |last2=Bankole |first2=Idowu |title=BREAKING: EFCC arrests Willie Obiano at Lagos Airport |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/breaking-efcc-arrests-willie-obiano-at-lagos-airport/ |website=Vanguard |access-date=17 March 2022}}{{cite web |title=Willie Obiano arrested: EFCC say why dem arrest former Anambra state govnor hours after e hand over give Soludo |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-60787306 |website=BBC Pidgin |access-date=17 March 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Eniola Akinkuotu |date=17 March 2022 |title=EFCC arrests Willie Obiano at Lagos airport |work=Punch |url=https://punchng.com/breaking-efcc-arrests-obiano-at-airport/ |access-date=30 June 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Channels Television |date=17 March 2022 |title=EFCC Arrests Willie Obiano At Lagos Airport |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2022/03/17/just-in-efcc-arrests-willie-obiano-at-lagos-airport/ |access-date=30 June 2022}} The EFCC stated that the reason for the arrest and detention of the immediate past Governor of Anambra State was to enable him account for public funds amounting to N42 billion meant for security votes and Federal Government-funded Subsidy Reinvestment Programme aka SURE-P.{{Cite news |last=Soni Daniel |date=19 March 2022 |title=We want Obiano to account for N42bn Security vote, Sure-P Cash — EFCC |work=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/we-want-obiano-to-account-for-n42bn-security-vote-sure-p-cash-efcc/ |access-date=30 June 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Sodiq Oyeleke |date=19 March 2022 |title=Why Obiano is detained, undergoing interrogation -EFCC official |work=Punch |url=https://punchng.com/why-obiano-is-detained-undergoing-interrogation-efcc-official/ |access-date=30 June 2022}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{AnambraStateGovernors}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Obiano, Willie}}
Category:Nigerian Roman Catholics
Category:All Progressives Grand Alliance politicians
Category:Anambra State politicians