Facts have emerged as to why Chief Ben Obi (Mbuze Agulu), former Special Assistant to immediate past Anambra Governor Peter Obi on Inter-party Affairs, is angry with the man who was his boss until they left office last March 17.

News Express had two days ago exclusively reported that the boisterous politician had drawn the battle-line with Obi – which he confirmed to this newspaper, but refused to disclose the reason for his anger.

This prompted News Express to launch an investigation into what the problem might be. In the process, it was discovered that Mbuze Agulu was incensed when, in the twilight of the Peter Obi administration, the then governor refused to award an erosion control contract worth N300 million to him and two siblings of Mr. Obi.

A competent source told News Express: “Mbuze Agulu made case for the contract to be awarded to himself to execute with Peter Obi’s elder brother Damian and the then governor’s younger brother Francis but when the papers got to him, Peter cancelled their names, saying that they are not erosion contractors.” The source wondered why Chief Ben Obi a.k.a Mbuze Agulu should take offence over the issue since Peter Obi’s blood brothers whom he wanted to get the contract with him took the development in good faith.

This was corroborated by Mazi Odera, an Anambra of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who is known to be close to Chief Obi and Mr. Obi. Odera said: “Mbuze Agulu is angry that Obi refused him environmental contract because he has no expertise to handle such job. He should also remember that same Obi tore to shreds the contract letter awarded to his two brothers by a ministry, saying that his brothers have no expertise to handle contracts and should not start experimenting with the state just because their brother was the governor.”

Odera punctured the claim that ex-Governor Obi did not do much to appreciate Mbuze Agulu’s services to him. His words: “As much as I am not holding brief for Okwute Ndigbo but as my motto is ‘truth is my standard’, I will like to point out the following:

1) Mbuze executed many MDG contracts under Gov Obi.

2) Mbuze benefited from the gift of cars, including a Prado jeep which he got during final push.

3) How about the house built for him at Agulu?

4) He is one of the few that had unhindered access to Gov. Obi.

5) He benefited from Ngozika Phase 2 Estate, Awka, where he was given a plot of land.

6) He uses Obi’s name as a means to an end.

7) He undertook overseas trips at the expense of Gov. Obi.”

Continuing, Odera told Mbuze Agulu “to try and lean on Akpokue Dike (incumbent Governor Willie Obiano) the same way he did with Okwute and he will understand that gentility is not stupidity. Chief Ben Obi, Igwe APGA, should understand that Okwute is an institution and people like me will defend him with same vigour we defend late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.”

It would be recalled that News Express had on Thursday afternoon reported how Chief Obi, who is the younger brother of Senator Joy Emodi, told its reported on phone that he would demand half a billion naira from former Governor Obi as compensation for what he did for him.

News Express had contacted Chief Obi to confirm if he was the author of a piece circulating online in which he demanded N10 million from Mr. Obi as settlement and threatened to rubbish the former governor’s name if he fails to pay up.

“I did not write it. N10 million is too small. I will demand for half a billion naira for what I did for him when I write my own. I am not happy with him,” the Mbuze Agulu had said.

Asked why he was not happy with Mr. Peter Obi, he retorted: “Forget about why I am not happy with him” and cut the line.

•Photo shows Chief Ben Obi (Mbuze Agulu) speaking at an APGA event.

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