As the November18 Anambra Governorship election clock ticks faster by the day, candidates for the race have been inundating the electorate with what they are likely to do if elected. RAPHAEL EDE writes on some of these promises.
Action Democratic Party
For instance, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) candidate, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, has promised holistic fight against corruption in the manner Nigerians have never seen and unlike the APC’s selective war against political foes in the guise of fighting corrupt officials.
Okonkwo promised to deliver to Ndi Anambra “a government of integrity, equity, fairness, and justice to the masses in the society. Okonkwo vowed to run a transparent, corruption-free, and zero impunity, people government, anchored on law and order. We will offer Ndi Anambra a ‘branded’ administration oiled by audacity and knowledge.
“No administration in Anambra State since 1999, demonstrated any Economic plan for Anambra advancement. There are no agenda for industrial evolution in the areas such as; light steel and scrap melting; chemical industry; mining and power station building.
The governorship hopeful also promised to redesign Awka, the state capital. “I am challenged to change the syndrome of individual prosperity amidst collective failure found in Ndigbo development profile and will introduce executive bill for an annual statutory savings of 15 percent of public earnings in bond. I have as a plan to run an all-inclusive government made up of 50 percent women, 50 percent men (whereat 40 percent men and 10 percent for the physically challenged) and redesign of our physical development to incorporate heavy dominance of environmental protection, and improved sanitation in our Anambra communities.
“I will redesign Awka, the state capital territory, introduce bye-law to accord the indigenes a 20 percent allocation from the capital vote, to enable the town development associations to maintain and retain the Igbo village culture heritage, which the massive urbanization has over-run.
“Our government will also redesign town development authority, bye-law affecting urban centers such as, Nnewi, Onitsha, Ogidi, Ekwuluobia, Ihiala, Ogbaru, Otu-Ocha / Aguleri, Umunze, e.t.c, for the indigenous communities to retain 20 percent of the capital vote, to maintain and retain the Igbo village heritage, which the massive urbanization has over-run. I will return to host communities all their traditional markets for maintenance, development and running, while they pay taxes to the local governments”.
Democratic Peoples Congress
The DPC candidate, Mr. Yul Edochie, has promised ICT-based administration that will be people-centred. He thinks what has been missing in the past governments has been youthful vitality which he said he would to bring to bear in governance
Edochie, who is a notable Nollywood actor, assured that he would give people joy by replicating the excitement people get watching his numerous film clips.
“I have made a lot of people happy through my films. If elected, I will leave the movie industry for governance to make the people happier.
“For many years, we have been told that the youth are the future leaders. I am here to serve as that youthful leader, who is ready to bring about positive change for the people.
“There is hardship and hunger in the state and so, our first job will be to ensure food for all and we shall have a committee set up to tackle major challenges in various communities.
“Our government if elected, promises to engage more youths in meaningful employment in various sectors, especially in the entertainment industry through the sitting of a Nollywood village in the state.”
Alliance for Democracy
The Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate, Chief Valentine Ugo-Akpe Onwuka, promised to turn around the fortunes of his people with policies and programmes that would promote economic prosperity.
Onwuka intends to harness the energies and potential of Anambra people for the re-engineering of their collective psyche and a re-invigoration of their strong desire to build a solid economically sustainable and prosperous land, where the right to life, freedom and justice will be guaranteed.
“This shall form the root principles to which my government shall be dedicated to, in order to better lives, make property acquisition affordable, while protecting each and every citizen of the state.
“Our beloved state is in crisis; a crisis created and sustained by the mismanagement, incompetence and corruption of the Obiano-led All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) government.
“While theatrics are promoted, economic conditions are worsening by the day and there is so much suffering in the land.
“The protection of the lives and properties of our people are no more a priority at this time, when extreme protection should be ensured.
“From herdsmen mayhem to the tacit approval of the current administration to the murder and violent intimidation of our people, all we see is blood, tears and wailing, and a remorseless government.”
The Ogbunike-born advertising and brands expert, also a kinsman of the late Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, boasted that he would introduce a different kind of government, one that governs in the interest of ndi Anambra and not for private gains.
All Progressives Congress
The APC governorship candidate, Tony Nworie, has promised Anambra people change and fight against corruption. Nworie noted that with his party at the centre he “will only compliment the achievement of his party at the national level in the state”. He promised to provide access roads to reconnect communities’ previous administration abandoned.
Peoples Democratic Party
For the former Secretary to Anambra State Government, SSG, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, who is vying on the platform of the PDP, education is very dear to his heart and he would promote education to a level never seen before in Anambra State, if given the chance to govern Ndi Anambra. Obaze has promised to allocate 26 percent of the annual budget for four years to education. Obaze, who spoke at the 2017 synod of the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi, also proposed to dedicate 10 per cent of the 26 per cent to support mission and parochial schools to encourage them to maintain quality and standards.
He frowned at a situation where only two of 36 states of the federation namely, Sokoto and Kwara, had met the United Nations recommended allocation of 26 per cent of national and sub national budgets to education. He called for a strategic approach to educating Nigeria’s 10.5 million out-of-school children and empowering Nigerian youths with vocational education that guarantees employment.
Progressive People’s Alliance
Mr Godwin Ezeemo, the PPA governorship candidate has promised to reduce the cost of governance, if elected. He said he would achieve the cost-cutting policy by eliminating luxuries, frivolous spending and ensure gainful deployment of resources accruing to the state.
The governorship candidate said that the thrust of his government would be on security, health, agriculture, power, education and environment.
“I shall focus on security, health, agriculture, power and education from my first day in office. I shall reduce the cost of governance drastically by eliminating luxuries and frivolous spending within my first three months in office. I shall run a prudent and transparent government that will audit and publish Anambra government account annually. I have not come to make money or steal public fund.
“I am comfortable but I can no longer stand by and watch our people dying in the desert and the sea because they are looking for greener pasture. It is time we regenerate ourselves and guarantee the future of our society. My manifesto is a social contract between me and the society. I am signing it here and give it to you so that you can use to assess my government after you vote for me,” he said.
Promises, promises, but if promises are anything to go by and if promises persuade the electorate to choose their leaders, then by November 18, 2017, Anambrans will choose the candidate that made the most promises even as the incumbent governor, Willie Obiano seems to have allowed his works to speak for him having been on the saddle for close to four years now.
