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Anambra: Senate Warns Iwu Against Rigging The Senate yesterday warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the Anambra governorship election saying that the commission must be neutral and transparent before, during and after the election which holds on Saturday. But Chairman of INEC Prof. Maurice Iwu assured the Senators that the commission is fully mobilised and ready to conduct a very transparent, free and fair election to the satisfaction of all. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Isiaka Adeleke in response to a briefing by Iwu, pointedly warned that INEC must not only be seen to be neutral, but must be impartial in the conduct of the Anambra Governorship election adding that the pivotal role of the election must not be ignored thus 'neutrality and fairness is an imperative'. Senator Adeleke also asked the commission not to hesitate to out rightly cancel the election in any area where violence was recorded. "Also if there is any form of violence in any area, during the election, we want to advise that it should attract outright cancellation. Nigerians expect that the Anambra election should form the basis for free and fair elections in 2011. It is a sort of pilot scheme. There is a great expectation from the commission by the people of Nigeria. It is expected all the materials for the election should get into the designated area on time. There must be a level playing field for all contestants, political parties and all the electorates", he said. However Iwu who took time to explain the preparedness of the commission declared that the commission is prepared and has fully mobilized and ready to conduct a free and fair election in Anambra State on Saturday. He told the Senators that INEC has made some changes in the electoral process adding that the ultimate goal is that at the end of the day all the parties that participated in the election would be satisfied. "We have made some changes in the electoral process. One such change is the fact that rather than use ad hoc staff, we are now going to use national service corps personnel to augment the permanent staff of the commission. The second change we have brought to bear just the whole idea of having the election to be observed by people as community efforts. What this means is that the whole parties should have their agents as part of the nomination process. "If the 57 political parties that we have now, if they all submit their agents and the agents stay in the polling units, until the results are announced, you can see that it will remove all the suspicion that people have about the whole process", he said. Continuing, the INEC boss told that senators that the results of the election would be announced at the polling units, preceding this he added was that the verification process whereby all the party agents and candidates will audit the ballot papers and take serial numbers before they are distributed. "What this means is that results will be announce at the polling units level. We have also introduced a verification process, whereby the day before the election itself, agents for the party or candidate's agents will be able to audit the ballot papers and take the serial numbers before they are distributed. "The beauty of this is that at the end of the exercise they come back and then look whether what they saw is exactly what was given out, and then the whole process is being made more transparent than ever before, by the fact that we have active agents to observe the process from the beginning to the end", said Iwu who was accompanied by some officers of the commission. Prof. Iwu who further said the commission has mobilised staff from 19 states offices of the commission who would be arriving the Anambra State from February 4, to be deployed immediately. "We have also brought in electoral officers from five states that will replace existing EO in the 21 local governments in the state. We have also deployed 21 supervisors that will be from Abuja that will be able to supervise the conduct of the processes that are involved in all aspect of the election. There are some changes we have made in the electoral process since 2007 it is in conformity with are basic strategic framework. What this means is that rather than do a grasping of what people expect, we based reform on our field experience over this year". Nonetheless he affirmed that the bulk of the election stops on the desk of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Josiah Ezuruonye. "We have barrister Josiah Ezuronye as the Resident Electoral Commission, he will be the officer who will also serve as the returning officer for this election. The bulk will stop on his desk as far as the announcement of the election is concern", he stated.
Anambra 2010: Just Before the Polls BY every stretch of the imagination, the February 6, 2010 gubernatorial election in Anambra State is going to be a titanic battle. This is because a few of the combatants, even in the crowded field of over 20 contestants, have proven to have some thing tangible to offer the people of the state. Also, as the campaigns gained crescendo, hitting a feverish pitch in the past few weeks, with a number of open debates and opinion polls reports, the real top contenders kept getting clearer. Added to this is the fact that all manner of court injunctions, real and contrived, have been vacated as the D-day gets closer. In the build up to the 'great event', Lilliputians and featherweights among the contestants kept meandering around with gimmicks and theatrics that only go to confuse the gullible voter. Unfortunately for these rabble-rousers, those behind the opinion polls and public debates were able to separate the chaff from the substance. Which is why the contest, even before the D-day is tending to be one among five, if not only four, or just three. And, as is usually the case in more developed and enlightened societies like the U..S. , UK and Europe , eventual results of serious elections such as the 'Anambra 2010', hardly vary from the outcomes of pre-election opinion polls. Again, although the Nigerian environment is not very familiar with opinion polls regarding elections, Anambra is scoring yet 'another first' in the events leading to the February 6 gubernatorial polls. This is apart from serving as the precursor to the 2011 general elections. Something good must this time around come out of the guinea pig that the state has been in Nigeria's political evolution. Without any iota of doubt, open debates among candidates for elections and opinion polls regarding such candidates have served and continue to serve useful purposes in the developed societies. In most instances, eventual results of the elections hardly deviate markedly from the outcomes of the pre-election opinion polls and choices drawn from the debates. From the look of things, various opinion polls and open debates among the contestants have been pointing to predictable outcomes of the election. But in order not to be clairvoyant about the touchy matter, one can only safely briefly refer to some of the outcomes of the opinion polls and the impacts of the debates as the D-day gets nigh. A widely publicised opinion poll conducted by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) indicated that Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged tops with 30 per cent of potential voters in the state making him their choice. Mr. Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the incumbent governor came next with a score of 22 per cent. The third place is occupied by the Action Congress (AC) candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige who scored 18 per cent. The candidates of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and Hope Democratic Party (HDP), Mrs. Uche Ekwunife and Mr. Nicholas Ukachukwu respectively scored 10 per cent apiece; while Dr. Andy Uba of the Labour Party got seven per cent. The rest were unclassified. Holler Africa , a UK-based publishing company, had, before the NTA's poll, carried out its own, and came out with a result that gave the PDP candidate, Professor Chukwuma Soludo more chances. He scored 38 per cent. He was followed by Dr. Chris Ngige, 21 per cent; Governor Peter Obi, 19 per cent, with the rest sharing the remnant. Although it is obvious that these results are only indicative or predictive, they nonetheless serve largely as good pointers. This is more so given the proven scientific method used in carrying out the surveys which, for the purpose of this piece, need not be reproduced here. But baring any unforeseen, the results of the opinion polls sufficiently point out that the coming governorship election in Anambra State would be a tripartite affair. In the event of this happening, the race will be between the front runner, Professor Soludo and the two that have served as governor- Mr. Peter Obi and his predecessor, Dr. Ngige. In truth, the people of Ananbra State seem to have seen or tasted the best of the duo - Obi and Ngige. The truth is that each one of them has had the privilege of serving as governor for upwards of three years or more. This means that whatever is the state of the state today reflects in part the impact of their administrations. It reflects their achievement or lack of it. But Anambra, in fairness to all, remains a metaphor for backwardness and underdevelopment. It is an enclave for crises and insecurity; bereft of any key infrastructural development, and essentially a trading territory. Is this what should be sustained?
PPA Warns Against Rigging of Anambra Polls ANY attempt to bungle Saturday's gubernatorial election in Anambra State will have far-reaching consequences on the polity, the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) has warned. According to the party, whose candidate, Uche Ekwunife, is one of the top contenders, rigging of the election will be a sad commentary on Nigerian politics and send wrong signals to the international community that the nation is not ready yet to move on with the rest of the democratic world. "We are all living witnesses to how elections have been conducted since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, how people have been robbed of their mandates in elections by a cabal that holds the nation by the jugular. The Anambra gubernatorial election presents a good opportunity to redress the situation," PPA said in a statement by its national chairman, Larry Esin. Esin explained: "Elections are rigged by agents of the 'federal might' who put pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement their will. We hope INEC will resist any such demands and do what is right for the people of Anambra. Thank God the garrison commander, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and his agents are not presiding over this election." Esin added that the grave reality that will confront Nigeria should the stakeholders bungle the Anambra election is that "we will not get the 2011 general elections right." He spoke as the Justice Party of Nigeria at the weekend explained that its inability to present candidate for Saturday's governorship election followed its realisation that it did not possess the competitive edge to mount a successful campaign. It added that it would not be part of a process that could only reduce it as a pretender, explaining that some parties are in the race for the purpose of it and not necessarily to win. The party endorsed the candidature of Mr. Peter Obi of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for the election, insisting that its support for the governor was part of effort to vote the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out, as well as its realisation that Obi is the only candidate with convincing credentials. Rising from her national convention held in Enugu, which was attended by over 1,000 delegates drawn from the various states of the federation, the Justice Party directed her members in Anambra State to vote massively for the APGA candidate, stressing that he had proven to understand what it takes to be in government. National Chairman of the party, Chief Ralph Obioha, who received the overwhelming support of the delegates to continue to lead the party in his present capacity in a resolution he read at the end of the convention, stated that the Justice Party could not muster enough support that could have enabled it present a candidate at the polls, stressing that it would work with APGA to deliver Obi. Meanwhile, a group, the Concerned Citizens of Anambra State, has faulted a resolution of Catholic Bishops in the state, asking the Catholic faithful to vote for a particular candidate in the polls. It reminded the people that the Catholic Bishops in the state had earlier decided that since the major candidates in the poll were Catholics, the church would maintain its neutrality while urging the faithful to vote for the candidates of their choice. The group, in a statement by its President, Mr. Victor Nwachukwu and the Secretary, Mr. Ben Dunedi, urged the Anambra people to ignore the resolution, saying that the document was the handiwork of some desperate politicians without good intention for the masses. The statement reads in part: "We the concerned citizens of Anambra State are forced to issue this statement to put the records straight and condemn a dangerous resolution that purports to have been issued by the Catholic Bishops in the state, directing the faithful to vote for Governor Peter Obi in the February 6 governorship poll."
'Anambra Is A Straight Contest Between APGA And EKwunife As PDP Has Nothing To Offer Ndigbo And Nigerians' Former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu in this interview speaks on the state of the nation, especially on the failure of ailing President Yar'Adua to transmit power to his vice, the February 6 governorship election in Anambra State, the crisis in the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA), the politics of the state and his relationship with former president Olusegun Obasanjo, among other issues. By Onyedika Agbedo What is your reaction to the speculation around President Yar'Adua? Which speculation, be specific? People are saying that because he has been absent from the seat of power for 68 days now, he should begin the process of transmitting power to the Vice President in accordance with the constitution? There is nothing really wrong with that and Vice President Jonathan does not need any letter to start acting as president. They were sworn in concurrently to do the job together. So, what we still have is the Yar'Adua-Jonathan presidency. However, in my opinion, the constitution is a product of the people and the people are to obey the constitution. But people are saying that the constitutional provision conferring authority on Jonathan through swearing him in, as Acting President has not been complied with? Well, the state is the people and the people are the state. So, I expect Nigerians, the National Assembly and all stakeholders to support the initial acting position of the Vice President because I do not see anything wrong in that. But the question is whether President Yar'Adua is in a position to transmit this letter because of his ill health. This is the question his aides and people of his community should answer. I don't support that Jonathan should not be acting president. President Yar'Adua is my very good friend. I wish him well; I wish him quick recovery so that he could come back and resume his duties. But there should not be any vacuum at all. Jonathan has to continue the implementation of the ideas and programmes of the administration. What is happening now shows the failure of the party called the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); that they have no programme for Nigerians and we now clearly know the infighting in the party. There is serious power play between leaders of the party, which shows that they have nothing to offer to Nigerians after 12 years in power. That also goes to show the confusion that former President Obasanjo has caused in this country and the lies they have been dishing out to Nigerians. I was coming to that point really, because the former president said recently that he never imposed anybody on the party and Nigerians? That shows the lies in the man called Obasanjo. It shows what I fought throughout my eight-year tenure as governor of Abia State. The man is a pathological liar; a man that lied that he never knew anything about third term is now coming out to fool Nigerians again. Possibly, Obasanjo thinks that we are a bunch of fools and so he can always play with our intelligence. The damage Obasanjo did to this system cannot be quantified. We had the opportunity of re-branding and re-positioning Nigeria among the comity of nations for eight years but Obasanjo blew up the chances. So, I feel very ashamed to see that he is still parading the roads talking to Nigerians and still finding ways to blame others. It is only in Nigeria that you would see this type of thing happening. What is your expectation in the Anambra election where your party, the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) fielded a candidate? My expectation is that the will of Anambra people should be respected and preserved. The election is basically between two political parties in the state - the PPA and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) because it is already an emotional, sentimental thing. The people are noticing that PDP cannot solve the problems of the Igbos. They notice also that the Action Congress (AC) is dominating the Southwest. So, Anambra people, being the leaders of the Igbos (and that cannot be disputed because anything good or bad in Igbo land comes from Anambra), are very smart and will lead the way. I am sure they are going to give their mandate to the PPA. They know that APGA was the party while PPA is the future. What about party's structure in the state? The woman joined not quite long ago. The structure of the party is very strong, because traders and the church drive it. The Anambra PPA miracle that you see today is not about party and politicians. There are only two million politicians in the whole of Nigeria. In Anambra State, there are less than 70, 000 registered political party members. What happens to the other 2.5 million or more Anambrarians? That is where we are banking our hope and strength on. The traders are coming out en mass. The people contribute money on their own in support of the woman's campaign and you could see that the woman is almost spending more than the other candidates. The one million-woman match staged by women in Anambra had never happened in the state. So, both women and youths in the state are totally behind the woman because they are desirous of positive change in the state. And I believe that as a mother, she would nurture the state to greatness as the men who had ruled the state had disappointed the people. She would point a new direction, how leadership should be used to advance the cause of the people. You don't think that the personal popularity of people like Ngige, the PDP machinery and also Soludo's credibility would be a major challenge to other political parties and their candidates in the election? Am I not popular in Anambra State? So, what is the popularity you are talking about? The people also believe in me. It is not only about the woman, it is also about the future of the Igbos in this country. The future is more important than these names you have mentioned. My friend and colleague Ngige is a very good candidate but he is in a wrong party, at least in the southeast. That is the truth. You also know that the PDP is nowhere to be found in Anambra State now. People like Ukachukwu and Andy Uba, who are running under the platform of other parties, were originally in the PDP. So, the strength of the party is virtually weakened and the Igbos now know that the PDP cannot do anything good for the Southeast region. People have seen that PDP cannot even hold the centre. The Ekwunife's candidature has come with a lot of controversy... (cuts in) The newspapers reported that it was one of the most credible primary elections ever held in Nigeria. I was not in Awka when the election was held. I was in Abuja. To be honest with you, I had preferred a man to win but the woman turned the table. That is the truth. Ask the woman and she would tell you that I never supported her. I am saying this openly for the first time; we never thought she would win the nomination. But even her joining the party at the point she did and then collecting the party ticket was some kind of violation of the party's constitution, isn't it? No, she had been a member of our party for a long time. There was no violation of the party's constitution at all. Even when she won, I called some senior advocates to look at the party constitution but at the end, I was told that there was no violation of the rules. So, she had left PDP? Yes of course. She had ceased being a member of the PDP and had joined us long before the primaries. But she is in the House on the platform of PDP? What of others who crossed to other parties? She too crossed to our party. She is no longer a PDP legislator in the House; she is now a PPA legislator. But is that right? Is it only right when the PDP does it? When AC legislators crossed over to PDP, was it right? When the whole ANPP legislators in Bauchi State crossed over to PDP, was it right? So, it is left for people to tell us whether it is right or wrong but I believe she did what is right within the law. She didn't violate the law and I am very happy to be associated with her as a member of the PPA. How are you sure that if she wins, she would not behave like Ohakim, for instance, if PDP is still in power at the centre? No! Women don't behave like men. I am not God but I am sure she has conscience. Every man or woman who had done what is not right or who will do what is not right will receive his payment in future. I have never judged any man or woman. I am committed to the cause of my faith. You have not really spoken much about the Ohakim incident? There is nothing to talk about. I don't discuss Ohakim whether in public or private. It is not an issue for discussion. But it must be painful to you? No! It means you don't know me. But it affected the party? It didn't affect the party. The party grew. I am talking in terms of the number of governors? It is okay. That was how God designed it. We have gone through it and it is good. Recently, there were speculations in the media that your governor's visit to a PDP elder in the state became a problem for the party? Who is the PDP elder? I don't know what you are talking about. B.B. Apugo of Abia State? Never! But there were all kinds of...(cuts in) Well, the press can write whatever they want to right but truth remains truth. I have never queried my governor; I have never quarrelled with him; I have never interfered in his job; I have never been to the Government House since I left and I have never been to any of his private houses since I left. But he has always made shot visits to me and occasionally spoken with me on phone and very sparingly because I am very busy with my businesses. Ask anybody in Abia; nobody has seen me in any occasion in the state for almost three years. But isn't that also a sign of quarrel? No! It is a sign of maturity; that there should not be two captains in the boat. But from June or July this year, I will be in the streets of Abia, singing the music I know how to sing. I steered clear as a strategy for the governor to take control of the state because if I had been going to the state and people would clap for me and clap for the governor, there might be ripples. So, there is no quarrel? No quarrel whatsoever. Not to my knowledge. Is PPA going to organise primaries for the governorship election or is it going to be an automatic ticket for the governor for the 2011 election? No! PPA doesn't give automatic tickets. There will be free and fair primaries. Which means that the governor may or may not return? No! If the governor commands the respect of the members of the party and Abia people, he would return very easily. After all he was elected when he was in prison. Now that he is sitting there, he should be able to return. So, you want to conduct primaries just...(cuts in) That is the hallmark of the PPA. That was why I left the PDP. I left PDP because of their penchant to disenfranchise the people. Internal democracy is not at work there. They did a re-registration and refused to register me when Obasanjo was calling the shots there. He thought I would stay back but I challenged him that I would not do that. They wanted Abia governorship by all means but God showed that he is God. Abia people supported us to say no because we are still with our conscience. We can do it again and again because I worked for the people and that is why I am very popular with them. I hear your brothers are angling for the governorship in 2010...(cuts in) None of my brothers who want to vie for the governorship 2011 will have my support. The arrangement in the state is very clear: after Umahia, it is the turn of Ukwa/Ngwa. No person from Abia North who wants to be governor from Abia North will have my support. They are free to go to the nationally and I do not think anybody will complain about that. But governorship? Not a chance. Any of my brothers setting his eyes on that is on his own. Talking PDP and the state, Onyema Ugochukwu has gone back to court to challenge Governor Orji's victory? Onyema is just trying to make sure that PDP gives him the next governorship ticket by going back to court to make noise. He is just seeking relevance and that is the only way he can be relevant. What would be your advice to the incumbent governors of the Southeast on the infrastructure problems of the region? They complain about negligence by the Federal Government but there is no attempt on their part to develop the region as a bloc and that appeared to be the trend even in your own time? To be honest with you, there was even more cooperation when we were there. Obasanjo came in with a divide and rule policy and I warned them that the price we would pay for allowing Obasanjo's influence would be enormous. The governor I didn't talk to them was only Sam Egwu of Ebonyi State, not for anything as we were close, but we didn't have an opportunity to talk about the issue. Then, Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State would drive into my state without notice and in the course of conversation we discussed so many issues. Also, I used to drive to Udenwa of Imo State who is an old boy of Government College, Umuahia like myself. So, sometimes we discussed the college and from discussing the college, we discussed the nation. The next person I spoke with at length with was Ngige when he became governor. However, I was initially speaking with Mbadinuju because my wife is from Anambra State and I have a lot of ties in the state. But you people never worked together? That is what I am telling you. Obasanjo brought a divide and rule system. We might never recover from the political damage Obasanjo did to the Southeast for the next 15 years. He damaged our trust amongst ourselves and I hope God will help us to rebuild that trust. Even now, some governors in the Southeast still report to Obasanjo. That is the truth. A lot of your businesses were rendered moribund under the Obasanjo administration, including your shipping company and also your aviation company, the Slok Airline. Is there a reversal now? Let me be honest with you; the shipping company wasn't touched because they knew that it is partly owned by Americans to the tune of 25 per cent and they work for American major oil companies. So, when Obasanjo wanted to go into that, the U.S. government warned him clearly of the consequences of touching the business. That was why he didn't close down that one. In dealing with the banks, he crimilised Mark Wabara because of me. It is okay; that is the price people pay. He stopped the South Gate Bank and the Slok Airline but didn't touch the oil and gas businesses. He couldn't have touched those ones because I left everything I was doing with NNPC when I became governor. I used the Supreme Oil to import all kinds of products but stopped when I assumed office. So, they were not totally moribund. We are just rebuilding and we are coming back stronger. Have you resumed with NNPC now? No! I am not doing direct trading with NNPC because I don't want anybody to think that I am friendly with President Yar'Adua because I want to get products. All the products we sell in the Nigerian market are imported directly for the oil majors like Addax, and the rest. There was a recent re-organisation in The Sun, was it in good faith? It was in good faith. All our Managing Directors do eight years. It is either they move higher or they open another company. We believe that it is not good for any organisation for an individual to be in the saddle as managing director for more than eight years. I praise Dimgba and Mike for their vision, for working with us and their other colleagues; and for making The Sun what it is today. The paper sells between 120,000 and 150, 000 copies everyday. So, they have done well, but there is the need to inject new flavour into the paper and that is what we have done. But the normal rule is that when the Managing Director is asked to leave, the deputy takes over? The one of The Sun was different. Dimgba and Mike are the best of friends. We in the Board of The Sun employed Mike to do the job of Managing Director but he handed over all his authority to Dimgba. What I am telling you now I told the two of them. I told Mike that both of them had to go because he allowed his deputy to be making decision most times for the company otherwise the deputy would have stayed as MD. However, one good thing we did was that we didn't hire new managers from outside. I didn't employ Tony Onyima; Mike and Dimgba employed him. I didn't also employ Femi Adesina, they did. In The Sun, the first man was Mike Awoyinfa, second Dimgba Igwe, third Tony Onyima and fourth Femi Adesina. So, what we have just done is that we asked numbers one and two to go while numbers three and four ascends the ladder. So, you have put the tenure to two terms of four years like the presidency? A newspaper wrote that I never supported third term even in public offices; that I am repeating it now in the private sector to show that I don't support tenure elongation. However, I think that what we have done is in the overall interest of the company and I hope that the new management will do very well. At what point did you disagree with Arthur Eze in PPA? I never disagreed with him. But he left? Yes, but I am not going to discuss him. You know he is my in-law. He has been of great assistance to me and I like him as a person. We might disagree but we will make up. This is not the first time we are disagreeing but those ones were not in the realm of politics. You have been accused of being overbearing in the management of the affairs of PPA. That was the allegation of Akerele and also Ebri...(cuts in) Ebri can't say so. No, Ebri never said so. Don't put words into his mouth. He can't say that either in private or in public. He has been my friend for over 20 years. Governor Ada George is a witness. Ebri begged me to get involved in the running of PPA. He asked me whether after my governorship, I would direct my attention more to business than to politics and I told him that it is from my businesses that I make money to put into politics. He came to my house to beg me to get involved in the administration of the party but I said no. When we established our new headquarters, he created an office for me but I told him that I would not come there because I didn't want to be involved. Today, we don't have a functional Board of Trustees because I refused to be involved. If you ask the officers of the party, they would tell you that I don't disturb anybody. One day, Olu Akerele will tell the country the truth; that he was first lying. If anybody accuses me of interference, the person is not being honest. It is not in my character. So what role do you play in the party? I am a financier of the party. Which also means that you dictate what goes on in the party? No! It is not true, the National Working Committee of the party takes decisions that sustain the peace of everybody in party. What then do you want in financing the party? I want the welfare of the Nigerians to improve. Anyway, I am surprised that people still ask me what I want. I was chairman of the Co-operative and Commerce Bank at 27, a feat no Nigerian has achieved again. So, I don't know what people think. I have been blessed right from my mother's womb. I have been a businessman all my life after graduating from the university. So, I only want a better deal for the Nigerian populace. I mean what you want politically? I don't need any other thing than to be President of Nigeria. That is the truth and I don't hide it because I know I have the energy to work and courageous enough to make decisions for the welfare of the people, which is what Nigeria lacks in leadership. Which year are you working towards? As soon as possible. Are you considering 2011? It is possible, why not? But I have not seen the jostling to that effect. Who told you? We are working. Change is coming to Nigeria soon. Talking about PPA, are you actually banking on the people's vote to see Ekwunife through or are you, as it has been insinuated, banking your reported closeness to Iwu to see her through? I am not sure that I am friendlier with Iwu than other people who are running for election in the state. But I can see the determination of INEC to conduct a free and fair election. We believe that our victory would be based on the sentiment of the people that an Igbo man should be president and what the woman intends to do in Anambra state. Her campaign is among the best and we believe it would work for her. Should Iwu conduct the 2011 election? Yes, why not? It is important that he conducts it so as to correct the damage done to his personality during the 2007 election. However, Obasanjo never wanted the election to be held. But we pushed him to push on because the beauty of constitutional democracy is in periodical elections based on tenureship. Iwu should speak out and tell Nigerians the truth. I think that conducting the election would be an opportunity for him to redeem his image because the more people age, the more they think about their name. In other words, you are saying that he actually played a more positive role in the 2007 election than he has been given credit? He actually played a more positive role than what he is being accused of. This is why people like me never insulted him. I knew what happened. There couldn't have been any election at all. Obasanjo could have perpetuated his stay. So, when people talk about Iwu, I just look the other way and laugh. The man paid a price that so many individuals might not be able to pay. So, why is he keeping quiet? He is a civil servant and that is how they behave. I am not a civil servant. I am a businessman and express my views. Are you in talking terms with Obasanjo? How can I talk to him? I have no business with him and don't even want to have any business with him. But I thought that what happened was all politics? Obasanjo's own is beyond politics as far as I am concerned. He is a statesman and I am not a statesman. So he should talk to his fellow statesmen while I talk to my fellows.
'All Eyes Are On Anambra Election' From Godwin Ijediogor, Awka National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, say next Saturday's Anambra State governorship election will be a signpost of what to expect of the 2011 general elections and an opportunity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its name and reputation. As national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), what are the chances of the party and its candidate in next month's governorship election in Anambra State? We are expected to win the election, considering the positive response of the people of Anambra State towards our campaigns and the achievement of the APGA-led administration in the past three years and 10 months. Going round the state, you would be able to capture the mood of the people of Anambra State and their determination to ensure that this governor that that has done so well for them should continue. We have been overwhelmed with the level of support we are receiving from across the state. Because of the way the governor has handled his developmental projects, it is very difficult to point to any section of the state that is aggrieved due to neglect. The government has been able to spread projects across the 21 councils of the state. So, the people have been touched, even the remotest parts of the state, which had no received attention from past administrations. The things he has done are visible, so nobody can fault the governor in the distribution of infrastructural projects, be it hospitals, roads, etc. There is unanimity among the people of Anambra State that this government has been fair to all parts of the state. Aside from that, the government has come up with the Anambra State Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS), which is a unique approach to governance to ensure that all sectors of the state are impacted upon simultaneously. While tackling the issues of road infrastructure, the governor, at the same time tackled the problems in the health, sports, agriculture, education, etc sector in an extra-ordinary way. So, the people of the state have experienced good governance in all facets of life, not just only in one area. Some people will have a one-point agenda and make so much about it, but this is the first time Anambra people have seen a government that has tackled developmental challenges in all sectors at the same time. We have been able to feel the pulse of the people of Anambra through our campaigns since December last year. It is only APGA that has been able to organize four major public rallies in the state- in Onitsha, where we flagged off our campaigns, on December last year, the attendance of which took our opponents by surprise. We did the same on December 22 at Awka, Ekuluobia on December, and at Otuocha on January 15. We traversed the three senatorial zones of the state and would cap it with two major rallies. The Action Congress (AC) just had one on Thursday. These rallies have been in addition to robust grassroots campaigns in all the communities in the various councils. The out-pouring of emotions and sentimental attachments to the governor by the people of the state is legendary. In view of all these, even our opponents know that they don't have much chance in this election. Rather, what you hear of them are mere propaganda, sometimes through sponsored opinion polls placing them ahead of others. But the people know better and are in support of Governor Peter Obi's re-election next month. So, APGA have up to 90 per cent chance of winning the election next week. If he has done so much, why are your opponents saying he has under-performed? They don't say that any more. Before the campaigns peaked, they were round thinking they could just wish away the achievement of the governor. They started with this message and our people resented it. When Prof Chukwuma Soludo went to Onitsha Main Market to address traders, he told them that the governor has performed very poorly, and his statement was greeted with disapproval by the people, who started sing the governor's praises and threw sachets of water at him. The first thing a sincere person seek public office will do is to acknowledge the efforts of the incumbent and promise to improve on them. But to tell people that what they are seeing is fiction was regarded as insincerity and they booed him out of the arena. When that happened, others learnt some lessons from Soludo's experience and now first acknowledge the efforts of the governor, while promising to do more. So, all the noise about Obi not doing well have fizzled out; nobody is saying that any more. Nigerians now know better, even documented evidence and photographs. That the governor did not do anything tangible is no longer a campaign issue in Anambra. The governor has done an even-handed development of the state across all the sectors, most of which had been neglected over the years. So, any sector you pick, you may think that is where the governor has done most, but he has covered virtually all the sectors simultaneously within the three years and 11 months he has been in office. Do you have any fears about this election? Going by the history of Anambra, we will continue to be apprehensive about what the election will bring. This is because the state had not witnessed credible elections in the past. In 2003, APGA won the election but victory was given to PDP until we were able to regain our mandate through the legal process and Obi became governor. In 2007, the election was very traumatic, as they were no voting anywhere and people were declared winners. Our people here have followed all these and now that another election is here, as human beings, we will be very apprehensive until something normal happens. It is not even about us as APGA or Obi; it is about the whole state. That is why the Elders Forum has inaugurated what they called a Free and fair election Committee, which is sensitizing the people. To show that the problem of credible election is not being felt by APGA alone, all the traditional rulers in the state came out on January 8 to perform traditional rites to set curse on anybody that will want to rig the election. Even traditional adherents converged at a shrine at Nnewi to invoke the wrath of the gods on anybody planning to rig the election. So also the clergy from all the denomination, who converged at Awka in an open inter-denominational service to pray for free and fair election, just as they cursed whoever might want to rig the poll. So, everybody in Anambra is concerned about the vice called election rigging and every hand is on deck to ensure that the right things are done. It is now left for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to come all out and ensure that the right things are done on election day. Good enough, INEC chairman has come here to promise a credible election, but promise will not be enough until it is translated into action. So, we are approaching the election with mixed feelings, anxiety, and measured optimism, hoping that the right things will be done. The only thing we are asking for is a credible, free and fair election. Election should not be a do or die thing, but people quarrel when the wrong things are done. If anybody loses an election in a process that is rigged, the person will never go away happy. Anambra recorded the highest petitions arising from the 2007 election in Nigeria and all the aggrieved candidates were asking for the elections to be nullified; nobody said he or she won, because there were no elections. If INEC fails to rise to the occasion by doing the right things, it will be very terrible for it. One is that this election is an opportunity for INEC to redeem its name and reputation and assure Nigerians that it has turned anew leaf. Next week's election in Anambra is a signpost of what Nigerians should expect next year. So, all eyes are on this election, both from within and outside Nigeria. The way INEC conducts this election will be an acid test to determine its orientation towards 2011. What is your take on the resolution of the Senate, urging President Yar'Adua to officially communicate it for his deputy to take over, and the Federal Executive Councils (FEC) decision that the President is fit to continue in office? We in APGA have always looked at issues very dispassionately before making comments. As a human being, President can take ill. We had in the past urged Nigerians to be patient with the President to overcome his ill health. That was why we did not support the calls for his resignation, even though Nigerians must have felt frustrated with the slow pace of development in the country. But after over 60 days of absence, we feel it time for to have a second opinion on the issue. While praying for the President's quick recovery and return to office, we have to look at how his absence has affected governance in Nigeria. It is because of our insincerity as a people, of our leaders and our professed unity and one Nigeria that we continue to have discordant tones in our polity. We have a constitution that has provided for situations like we have now, so why are we not applying the due process? Why are we politicizing everything? Why can't the Vice President step into his shoes, pending his return from hospital? That the President failed to transmit a letter to the National Assembly informing them that he is going away for a long time and make his deputy act on his behalf pending his return is very unfortunate. It is because we play politics of division in Nigeria that such a thing is happening. The north feels the VP is from the South-south and from a different ethnic stock and religion, so he should not take over until the President returns. So, we have this veiled division among us and we are proceeding as one united people. That is the hypocrisy about the country called Nigeria and amalgamation of its different people. There is no reason why the VP should not step into the shoes of the President to pilot the affairs of state until he returns, if we are sincere with ourselves. That we are unable to rise above this ethno-religious and other considerations in doing the right and simply thing today shows that Nigeria is not standing on any solid foundation. It shows that we don't even have anything binding us together as a people. The rest of the civilized world is laughing at us. The President should in the interest of the nation know that he has a Vice and cede his functions to him, pending when he returns to the office. It is not envisaged that because of this temporary transfer of power, the President would be impeached or forced out of office. The love he professed even on television for Nigeria and its people should be made manifest now. As for the hypocrites in the National Assembly, I call them so because things that are clear should not be debated upon, they should do the right thing. To view the current situation on party or ethnic or religious lines is like messing the country up; they should be loyal to Nigeria and its constitution. As for the FEC, one never expected them to do anything contrary to what they have done, being appointees of the President who would want to retain their positions.
Anambra Gives Laptop Computers to Schools From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka ANAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has been commended for what a Microsoft chief, Mr. Ken Span, described as his great strides in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) revolution in Nigeria. Span gave the commendation yesterday while distributing a total of 50 laptops each to 110 secondary schools in the state. He expressed joy in witnessing a governor who is so concerned about the future of the people. According to him, Microsoft had offered the state the software packages for the computers, including Window 7 and Office 2010 free, suggesting that the revolution would make education available to the people of the state. He also revealed that Anambra has become the number 10 globally in the deployment of ICT. In a related development, the Nigeria-born worker of Microsoft, Mr. Tim Akano, has commended the giant strides of Governor Obi in information and computer technology, saying that "Anambra State is clearly the number-one following the massive deployment of ICT in the schools in the state". Akano also revealed that these schools had earlier been given 108 30-kva generators each, adding that it was the first time educational institutions in the country would enjoy a fully-integrated computer programme. "Apart from the computers, the governor has also incorporated training and Internet provision", he said, predicting that in the next 10 years, Anambra State would produce many Emeagwalis. The representative of Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Yusuf Kasure, in his submission, said they were happy to partner with Anambra State. He lauded the vision of Obi as he disclosed that each of the 110 schools and other sites for the Internet is empowered with a Vsat, a battery and an Inverter to keep the sites on even when there is outage. Obi said that in a few weeks' time, money would be released to all the secondary schools in the state for building libraries, adding that the government had taken delivery of buses to be given to the schools.
Anambra Indigenes Abroad Laud Ngige, Obi From Chu Collins, Uzoma Nzeagwu (Awka) and Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) ANAMBRA indigenes in the Diaspora have urged the people of the state to support the Action Congress (AC) and its candidate in the February 6, 2010 governorship election, Dr. Chris Ngige, to provide an alternative formidable platform to entrench good governance and democratic values in the country. The indigenes resident in Germany, England, Holland, Spain, Belgium and Ireland, also reviewed the credentials of the other four leading contestants namely, the incumbent Governor Peter Obi, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Uche Ekwunife and Andy Uba. And, satisfied with what they called Obi's excellent performance, a group, Nzukka Odimma Anaocha (NOA), has urged the people to vote for him. In the meantime, Ekwunife, who is the governorship candidate of the Progressive People's Alliance (PPA), takes the centre stage again as she winds up her campaign with a grand rally tomorrow at the main bowl of the Holy Trinity Church Onitsha. Dubbed, "The Change We Need," it is expected to attract party members and chieftains, including the PPA's leader and Board of Trustees Chairman, Orji Uzor Kalu. Addressing journalists on the meeting, the Chairman of the Diaspora indigenes organisation, Mr. Chukwudi Uzoewulu, said though all the candidates have by their campaigns demonstrated competence, Ngige has an added advantage " because his party has so far not failed the country." "We can see this from the performance in office of governors of Lagos and Edo states and the genuine intention demonstrated so far by the party leadership to rule the country and care for the people. We also believe that Action Congress does not just give one ticket to run on its platform, it is a party with integrity and principle and has maintained its incorruptible stance in the dirty politics of the country; that is why Ngige could pick their ticket," he said. He added that Ngige, having governed Anambra State under a turbulence period and was able to raise his shoulders high by ensuring its infrastructure development stands a better chance to complete what he had started. And, addressing a press conference in Awka, the Chairman of NOA, Anthony Akpulu, noted that Obi deserves support for a second term as governor, having surpassed previous chief executives of the state, "with superlative achievements covering socio-political, economic, religious and cultural lives of the people." The group went on: "Through the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) ideology, Obi has given every community in the state a sense of belonging by empowering them. "His government has not been involved in dethronement of traditional rulers, town union executives, market unions etc. There has not been clashes in markets and motor parks. Obi has enriched democracy in Nigeria through reliance on rule of law. "His unbiased distribution of amenities to all sections in the state was guided by unparalleled sense of justice, equity and fair play." It also pointed out other areas of Obi's achievements, including facilitating the accreditation of Anambra State University, Uli; Anambra State Teaching Hospital, Awka; Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, among other institutions, construction/rehabilitations of several roads, schools and hospitals.
Ojukwu Warns Godfathers to Steer Clear By Charles Ajunwa National Leader and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, yesterday warned political godfathers in the country to keep off next month's gubernatorial election in Anambra State. Ojukwu, who gave the warning while addressing traders at Marine Market, Onitsha, when the campaign train of Governor Peter Obi visited the area, said the godfathers cannot afford to play politics with the future of the state after it emerged from a difficult past. The Igbo leader, represented by National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, said the welfare of the state was the responsibility of the people of the state without interference from godfathers and external forces, adding that the election is an opportunity to consolidate on the liberation of the state and Ndigbo from claws of oppressors. Obi, in his speech, enjoined the people not to be deceived by empty promises of desperate politicians who are out to mortgage the future of the state. He said he would use his second tenure to consolidate on multi-sectoral achievements recorded noting that his administration had for the first time after many years, attracted the Federal Government to commence reconstruction of various federal roads neglected for decades. He announced that within two weeks, a transformer would be provided for the market, while within one week, N2million will be released for a water borehole scheme for the market. Source: This Day, 27th January 2010.
Ohanaeze, Group Endorse Ngige From Chuks Okocha in Abuja The support base of the Action Congress candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige for the next month's governorship election in Anambra State, grew stronger over the weekend as the Ohaneze Ndigbo and Ogbako Anambra in Warri, Delta State openly endorsed him for the election. At a reception jointly organised in his honour, the two organisations said Ngige's legacy as a former governor of the state is big challenge to the present and future leaders of the state. According to Chief Cyril Achebe, the President of Ogbako Anambra who chaired the occasion, the verifiable testimonies of good leadership which Ngige bequeathed to the state speaks louder than the voice of promises of other candidates who are contesting against him. According to a statement signed by Ngige's Director of Communication, Charles Amilo, quoted Achebe as saying, "To me and all of us here, you do not need to campaign much as your past performance is already doing so. The 34 months you spent as Anambra governor put a lie to the excuses of your predecessors those who bandied the reason of zero allocation from the Federation Allocation for non performance. It made those who came after you to also sit up but the level they have been able to measure up to your achievements is the difference. You made us realise there was enough money to build our roads, pay the civil servants, build hospitals and do other infrastructures" Achebe further called on the indigenes of the state who are resident in other places but who are registered voters in the state to go home enmasse and vote the candidate of their choice. In his response, the AC governorship candidate, Ngige thanked them for their support and the reception held in his honour noting that what was witnessed while he was in office was just a little of his overall plans for the transformation of the state. "I made a solemn promise to God and my people to put smiles on their faces and God answered the prayers. I did not renege on promise. This time will not be different. Similarly, I want to add that the 2010 election is an opportunity to strategize and place our people on the right pedestal for an effective national bargaining." In a related development, the Dunukofia Youth League has warned the Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Arthur Ezeh against any attempt to tamper with the smooth conduct of the next month's governorship election in the local government. In a release in Abuja today, signed by the President and Secretary of the association Chief Eze Chukwuma Ikpo and an academic, Dr. G.O.C Menkiti the league laughed off Prince Eze's boast to deliver Dunukofia to the PDP, saying he still lives in the past. "We are no more in the military era when your influence was forced down the throat of our people without result to show for it. We hope you know that godfatherism is dead in Anambra. We hope you also must have been educated enough to know that our votes now count. We know who deserves it" Pledging their unalloyed support for Ngige and the Action Congress, the Dunukofia League said the massive infrastructural development of the area by Ngige's administration has opened the eyes of the six towns that make up the council area to the true test of leadership. The league therefore called on the INEC to conduct a free and fair election and ensure that the will of the people reigns supreme.
'We' ll Rescue Anambra Before it Becomes a Laughing Stock' Nicholas Ukachukwu, former member of the House of Representatives and the governorship candidate of Hope Democratic Party (HDP) spoke to CHUKS COLLINS in Awka on his covenant with the people of Anambra State. Excerpts. PEOPLE talk of a change in Anambra. What is your idea of such a change? There is definitely a need for a change in Anambra. Most of the things that need to be done in area of infrastructure are not been done. The fact remains that even the incumbent government knows that there is need for a change. The change might also come through them because the incumbent governor is vying for the second term. If he wins, it means he might do some certain things to improve what is on the ground now. But there is need for him to give others a chance to enable them show better ideas and move the state forward. What do you expect in this election? I am expecting nothing less than free and fair election. There is need for free and fair election and that is the best expectation and nothing less than that. Can you assess the incumbent government? The governor, Mr. Peter Obi has done his best, but you cannot give what you do not have. He has given what he has and we have seen it. But the issue on ground is that Odumegwu-Ojukwu too is a very respected Igbo son who every one of us has respect for. But for Obi to be going to hide under the cover of Odumegwu-Ojukwu cannot work out. The people of Anambra will decide who will govern them because we all have what it takes to do so even in the private sector we have done that. What are your chances especially in a very strong field with 25 candidates? My chances are high. I won the Abuja Municipal/Abaji FCT seat in the House of Representatives, Anambra South Senatorial seat before. So I am used to winning. Some politicians accuse you of not having a base in Anambra and for that reason your presence is not felt in the state. We have offices worldwide. We have offices in every ward or council. Radio station or even the TV channels in Anambra and elsewhere carry us in their broadcasts. The number of candidates is an indication of a yawning leadership gap or the brand of leadership we have had so far. We know that there are a lot of candidates, but it is good we have that number of people because the more the numbers of candidates, the more everybody tries his best to see if he can win. So, it is good to have the numbers. You are a foundation member of PDP but you have twice relocated to another party. Would you return if you win this election? The future is in the hands of God. We still remember the kind of injustice that was done in 2003. Somebody won an election and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him, and somebody that didn't even have a poster or anything was substituted. These things are the reasons we moved to the other side. In 2007 it was made very clear when they forced Andy Uba on everyone. Why would anyone continue under that circumstance? It is often said that this election will not be about parties but personalities... In politics, three people that make up whatever we do. First, we have the masses, then the politicians, and lastly the stakeholders. In this situation, Hope Democratic party has all the factors. In the 326 wards in Anambra, no body has followers more than HDP. We are not mere politicians or businessmen, but we are also evangelists. We have religious background. Presently, we have put on the ground over 300 people we built three bedroom bungalows, which they are to share for free. We have over 5,000 people working under our various companies. For scholarships, some are in secondary schools while others are in universities. Which candidate has done that? Some parties and candidates have been accused of buying up voter's cards from electorates... We only saw that in the newspapers. We condemn such and we have commented on it in the newspapers. Because of the number of candidates, people expect a lot of litigations after the election. Do you see it that way? Actually the election will not be like that, especially when we look at the caliber of people contesting. We have big names and these are not the kind of people who are likely to resort to illegalities or rigging. The INEC should do everything to make it a free and fair election. The INEC chairman Prof Maurice Iwu has said that and we believe him. On our own we are educating our people on what they are supposed to do and they will do the right thing. What are you offering the people of Anambra on the platform of Hope Democratic Party? We have a program that we are going to implement. Our first program, which will come on stream within the first 100 days, will touch the lives of the people. We are aware that sometimes when you design your programs, there are some that you don't have to take into the open and there are some that will naturally come out in the open. We have what it takes to make things happen. We have done it in the private sector, and we don't see why we cannot replicate the same in government. For example, individuals own some of the best secondary schools in the state. When the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo brought the idea of private partnership getting involved as partners with government, we were among the first people that got involved in the area of housing. That is how the Prince and Princess Estate in Abuja came into existence. Because of the idea of private partnership, if someone has this idea to do some things, I don't think governing a state would be a problem. We have been involved in projects bigger than anything most states get involved in. Hope Democratic Party (HDP) is bringing hope to our people. In Hope, we have seen the platform to bring the changes that we want in Anambra. In almost all the wards, the people have bought into Hope. The party is everywhere. The issue is not the name of the party; the issue is the people. Politics has to do with people not the name and we have the people, we have the people, we have the people. Confirm if you have any pact with the North zone, which has been crying of marginalisation Actually out of those candidates you saw here and there, the North still has some that are contesting in one party or the other. My running mate is from the North. Will the North ever take away whatever belongs to them? I can also say that actually the North has not had an opportunity to play the game at the top level of the government of the state. But I pray their turn will come and God will do it in His time.
Anambra Polls: Why Stakeholders, From Mohammed Abubakar, (Abuja) and Joe Adiorho, (Lagos) THE hope of hitch free election on February 6 in Anambra State was put to further question as stakeholders invited for a meeting by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to show up for the meeting. However, the commission would today hold a consultative meeting with foreign observers as part of the preparations for the polls. Meanwhile, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu, attributed the failure of the meeting to a prolonged security meeting on the election. It was gathered in Abuja that the failure of the meeting to hold was due to extensive campaigns by the candidates, coupled with alleged leadership crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Iwu told journalists that there was no truth in the speculation that the crisis in APGA in the state was responsible for the postponement of the meeting. Rather he said, "I'm solely responsible for the postponement because I went for a security briefing. It was not because of Governor Peter Obi or anybody. I apologise for the inconvenience it might have caused some stakeholders. We are on top of the situation as far as the elections are concerned." Iwu clarified the commission's position on the recent incident involving the interception of supposedly electoral materials at Okija, where it was reported that it the seized goods were electoral materials for Anambra. He said that there was nothing like that. He said the particular consignments were the cubicles, which the commission had procured for the 2010/2011 elections in the South East/South-South zones. Iwu said at today's meeting with the international observers, more facts regarding the preparation would be released. The chairman said INEC had identified states where it would draw personnel for the elections, and they are being put on notice. He confirmed that the commission had been on an internal self-cleansing exercise to ensure that personnel with bad records would not participate in the election. While confirming that about eight members of staff had been sacked after been found wanting in the last registration exercise in the state, he said a new REC was posted to Anambra in furtherance to the last week's recommendations of the Anambra Governorship Monitoring and Observation Board. He noted that although the Board's role was purely advisory, the commission acted in line with the recommendation so as to give credibility to the exercise. He said, "the Board sent us that recommendation and that is part of why the board was set up, to give us their perspective. We have transferred the REC from the state, not because he did anything wrong, but in response to that particular recommendation. We have deployed Electoral Officers that will serve in the various councils, and we are also bringing staff from outside for the conduct of the polls. We are not leaving any stone unturned in our efforts to ensure that we restore confidence in the process." Meanwhile, some candidates have been holding meeting with stakeholders outside Anambra as the campaign gets into its final lap. Barely a week after the Peoples Democratic Party candidate Prof. Chukwuma Soludo garnered over N2 billion for his campaign, the gubernatorial the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) candidate, Mr. Kenneth Nonyelu Chukwuemeka, took the stage with friends of the party to raise funds to shore up their campaign expenses. According to Chukwuemeka, "I do not believe in godfatherism. My style of is people oriented. The only way the people who are the main stakeholders can feel the sense of ownership of government is by being financially involved in the process of establishing the government after the simple perception of democracy which is the government of participation of the people in all matters affecting them." He charged the people to utilise the opportunity of the election to bring into office a credible man with a desire to develop the state. According to him, "what has been the bane of the state is a crop of insincere individuals with a culture of impunity that has created a caste of dishonest leadership that has made the State insecure foe commerce and development to thrive." He presented 21 reasons the stakeholders should vote him into power. Outlining the thrust of his programmes, he said that he would revamp the education system by building new schools, rehabilitating the dilapidated ones. "Education is the greatest legacy any government can bequeath to the people. As at today, Anambra does not have bursary and scholarship board. We shall reconstitute them we assume office," he said. He said that the security of lives and properties would be his priority so that he would be able to attract tourist to numerous wonderful sites in the state and secure investors confidence. "I am capable of opening up Anambra to a lot of technical assistance from these donors and many more," he said.
Anambra Needs Ideas and Not Money, Mike Nwafor, the former Chief Executive of the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation and African Liberation Party (ALP) governorship candidate spoke to CHUKS COLLINS about his programmes in Awka. Excerpts WHY are you seeking to be governor after being part of the incumbent administration? I was part of the administration because I had to be there and when the time came to move to somewhere else, I moved to where I am now. I am in this race to win the election and fix the state. My stand is that the people of Anambra should assess their government. I have repeatedly said that the day a servant begins to behave like a master, then the supposed master should take a second look at himself. The man who is offering to serve a people is the servant; the people are the masters. Anambra should take a second look at the unfolding drama and the masters who are the people of Anambra should assess those they have put in office to serve. For whoever is serving or has served, the people should assess him. What are those things you want to see done for Anambra that are lacking or not being addressed? We live in Anambra whose population is shrinking by the day; our urban centers are decaying. We live in Anambra where we have not been able to arrest the low male enrolment in schools. We live in Anambra where our state capital is a glorified village. We live in Anambra where the economy is shrinking; an Anambra where you can easily outgrow the state. We have to grow the population, expand the economy, provide employment, conduct appropriate urban renewal and put up a brand new state capital. We have the solution to provide security of lives and properties for our citizens; create a society that we will be proud of. This is why we are in this race. Our priority is security, and the next is the state of infrastructure. We have heard people say that crime will be arrested through job creation. The question is how will you create the jobs if you are not expanding the economy. We will create the jobs and arrest crime through massive job creation. We shall be looking at the social security because at the end of the day, the government that lacks human face simply does not deserve to exist. We are going to create out of the Onitsha an ultra modern functional Central Business District. A situation whereby somebody gets up by 8 am and retires by 4 pm is unacceptable. When we come in office we will create what I call university Colony. We just provide infrastructure to a certain segment of Awka, dedicate an international conference center, a 20,000 unit housing complex, housing estate complex, and then facilities for the sprouting of about six or seven transportation network, inclusive of rail-line and extend our invitation to the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the Pentecostal Church to come and take one of the universities lots, and then do us a university under a strictly guided development control. We will see quality service outfits spring up also and we will see the end of the depletion of the population of this city. We intend to create out of Nnewi, an industrial capital. The roads done in Nnewi, they are good and commendable, but I am going to come with such a package that will clearly define Nnewi as an Industrial enclave. We will seek to turn Anambra from pre-historic time with pre-historic cities to an ultra-modern state. Where will the funds to achieve all these? I believe that ideas, not money rule the world. We have done many things without money. For instance when we do the university colony we are talking about, international conference center, and all other facilities, etc we are going to have with the independent power plant dedicated to it. Government is not going to bring one kobo for the development of the Independent Power Plant or in the realisation of the 20,000 housing units, or in the building of the university colony. We will provide basic infrastructure from where we will expect some money. It is all about ideas, and the PPP will be prominent as a matter of fact. We are going to have a ministry dedicated to services from the PPP. And from the people in the Diaspora, we intend to tap into the benefits of what God has given our people outside our shores who also doing very well. They will be made to come and invest because we'll create the environment. So, the money to do these things wont be our problem. Within the first six months, we are going to revolutionise erosion control by organising an Erosion and Environmental Summit. We will seek to tell the world through aerial photographs and satellite imagery what erosion has done to the land and to show through simulations and through progressive analysis that if it continues, we might not just have the land to build on. So we seek to bring the attention to the international community, bring the attention to the world, and part of the target we are going to set for ourselves is that within four years, we would have sufficiently covered the whole of Anambra. The same way we would drain a compound, the same way we would drain a layout, the same way we would drain Anambra and recognise some of the existing natural channels, the River Niger, the Anambra River; the Ebenebe Rivers, the Ezu River, the Idemili River, and Agulu Lake and so many others. We are going to utilise this as our natural great channels, collect the cities, towns, and communities and throw them into this natural drains and any other and collectively drain the state. It is after we have drained the state, then we can now insist on the place of Environmental Impact Assessment that ensures that whatever water that is collected from any source around us gets into the drain that is provided for the entire state. I am sure people know that most of the erosion sites today in Anambra are caused by water collected from the same roads we built to serve us, so we are going to deal with all of this. Why didn't you avail the incumbent administration of these ideas? From 2005 when I joined the government I spent my time generating proposals and trying out new ideas of what we can do and when we can do them to get what we want. I have talked about the place of transit stations in Anambra to organise the transportation system and change the mindset of our youths. It is one thing to say it and it is another to take it.
Anambra Urges Judiciary Workers to End Strike From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka TO check further paralysis of court activities, Anambra State government has urged the state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to call off its strike and return to work immediately. According to the state government, the step will pave way for negotiation between Anambra State government and JUSUN over the implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Staff Salary Scheme (CONJUSS) in the state. A statement by the Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel D. Chukwuma, yesterday and made available to journalists in Awka, said the government has set up a committee to look into JUSUN's demand and advise it on the matter. According to the statement, the committee members are drawn from the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, the Office of the Head of Service and Labour/JUSUN. JUSUN embarked on a nationwide strike in November last year over the non-implementation of the CONJUSS.
Anambra Election: Police Intercept From Ali M. Ali in Abuja and Emeka Osondu in Awka The Nigerian police yesterday intercepted a trailer load of election materials purportedly belonging to the Independent Electoral Commission at Ihiala, Anambra State, along the Onitsha-Owerri Road on its way to an undisclosed destination in the state three weeks before the February 6 gubernatorial elections. But the driver of another truck suspected also to have been carrying similar materials escaped with his vehicle from the same scene, eyewitnesses have said. Eyewitnesses said the discovery was made possible as a result of an accident with a commercial vehicle, following which an argument ensued and led to the discovery that the trucks were being driven by two people who claimed to be soldiers. The men who had already passed a police checkpoint claimed to be moving with the container-laden trucks to Port Harcourt. On close examination, the police discovered that the reddish trailer with Lagos state registration number XS139AKD was filled to the brim with cartons of electoral materials. The materials included ballot papers, ballot boxes and election result sheets. A former member of the House of Representatives in the state is said to have been linked to the two trucks. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Philemon Leha was said to be attending the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations when reporters called at his office. But a police officer who spoke on the issue said the truck and its contents had been moved to the Divisional Police Station in Ihiala Local Government Area, and would soon be moved to Awka. The Public Relations Officer of INEC in Awka when contacted refused to speak and directed reporters to the Administrative Secretary, Mr. Tony Agbache who said he knew nothing of the impounded container. He said neither the director of Public affairs nor his logistics counterpart was in the picture of the arrest of the truck and its contents.He however, promised to get back once he was through with his own investigations. When THISDAY called again, his phone rang several times but was not answered. INEC has fixed February 6 for the conduct of the Anambra gubernatorial election. In the build up to the polls, there have been several claims of plans to rig by the different camps of contenders. Reacting to the incident, the chairman of the Soludo Campaign Organisation, Chief Okey Muo-Aroh, said it was now left for INEC to claim or deny the ownership of the container(s) and its contents. "If security documents can be treated this shabbily, one wonders the credibility of what we are about to do and the outcome of the exercise. The director of the Uche Ekwunife Campaign Organisation of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, Mr. C. J. Chinwuba said: "we commend the security operatives for their vigilance and we condemn such acts aimed at rigging this election. "We in the PPA and the entire Anambra State have insisted that the votes must count." |