By Ibiba DonPedro
Lagos - Despite the return to civilian democracy in 1999, Nigeria's political godfathers, men who accumulated huge wealth under the country's massively corrupt former military rulers, still wield extraordinary power behind the scenes.
The bizarre tale of Chris Ngige, the embattled governor of Anambra state, has confirmed the worst suspicions of a nation jaded by tales of corruption.
Ngige's tale, still unfolding, has also alarmed Nigeria by exposing just how fragile its civilian democracy remains.
Ngige entered into a Faustian pact with Uba before the elections At the time of writing, Ngige was still clinging precariously to his office and his life, having survived an apparent assassination attempt - an abduction in which he was forced to read out a resignation speech - one or two court injunctions, the withdrawal of his official bodyguards and several political attacks, including an attempt to declare a state of emergency in the state to remove him.
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His nemesis is Christian Uba, 37, a very wealthy businessman, and self-styled godfather of Anambra state.
Uba was until recently an unknown figure in political and business circles in the country. Now he has been revealed as a highly influential figure with close connections in Nigerian politics that go all the way up to the presidency in Abuja.
He is believed to have singlehandedly financed the elections and ensured the victories of Chris Ngige and over two-thirds of the Anambra legislature in April last year - an election widely suspected to have been rigged.
His backing apparently came at a price. The elected politicians - especially the governor - were expected to make regular financial returns to enable their sponsor to recover his investments - plus profit margins that would elicit the envy of any banker. Ngige himself apparently entered into what can only be called a Faustian pact with Uba before the elections.
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