Appearances are deceptive; there were daggers in their smiles. The day was enshrouded deep in doubt; Willie Obiano, the executive governor of Anambra State, and former governor, Peter Obi, two storm riders, estranged associates, political foes, in one grand public ceremony, certainly cut a torrid portrait of gossip and intrigues, for the high society rumour mill. But contrary to widespread fears of a possible blowout between them, the two top politicians made a public show of sheathing their swords to fraternize at the burial of late Very Rev. Fr. Chukwuemeka Nichola Tagbo at the Christ The King College Onitsha.
Nobody knows if there was a sneer hidden in the smile that they exchanged with each other, at the behest of Willie but everybody knows that for the sake of the late Reverend Father, they swallowed their scorn for each other to exchange pleasantries and idle banter. Since Willie’s victory at the last gubernatorial polls in Anambra, they both nurtured a frosty relationship. Both men ditched the comforting camaraderie they fostered touring the length and breadth of the state while they canvassed for votes for their party, to engage in a wily, no-holds-barred test of political will and might.
Interestingly, however, according to a report, Gov Obiano apologized to Peter Obi after delivered his long speech and Obi got up from his seat and embraced him. Yes, they kissed and made up. However, whether the pleasant exchange between them was indeed real or fashioned for the camera will be known in a couple of days.
