65 Jostle to be Governor of Anambra

65 aspirants are falling on top of one another to emerge governor of Anambra state come next year. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has just fixed guber poll in the state for February next year.

This crowd of governorship hopefuls, KlinReports learnt, cuts across all the parties, with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) producing over 30 of them alone. (Picture left, map of Anambra state; Right, incumbent Governor Peter Obi)

The tenure of incumbent Governor Peter Obi will elapse late this year, a situation which leads to the conduct of guber election in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Investigations reveal that this figure of governorship hopefuls in Anambra state remains the highest among the 36 states of Nigeria, including the Abuja Capital Territory.

Recently, Governor Obi expressed the view that the mammoth crowd aspiring to be governors of the state shows that his contenders are only after the commonwealth of the state.

Making the remarks while addressing members of Anambra State Development Union (ASDU), Lagos, at Governor's Lodge, Amawbia, recently, Obi said none of the contenders in the election had told the people what he would do for them or any unique thing to do for the people.
"If you ask them why they are in the race, their only answer is that I [Obi] should be removed because I do not behave like politicians by not carrying them along. And you may ask: what does carrying them along mean? All they are saying is that I don't bring public fund to share to with them. No way”, he asserted.

"Most worrisome," Obi added, "is that none of the aspirants live in Anambra state and share the feelings and hardship of the people to know what the problems of the state are. All these people roaming all over the place seeking to be governor, none of them lives here; none of them knows how the people suffer. When they get into office, they would rather increase your burden. We have been too selfish to ourselves".

The governor maintained that work to be done in the state was enormous, as a result of which he could not afford to divert public fund for purposes other than what it was meant for.

According to him, "I found out on assumption of office that virtually every sector of the state had collapsed because of neglect of past administrations. That is why I am working in all sectors after I initiated Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS). It is not just in every sector, but in every local government so that those that had hitherto been neglected could be given a sense of belonging."

Obi regretted that some people who see themselves as leaders of the state have faulty life style and that the citizens do not seem to know what they want.
Obi pointed out that Lagos is developing very rapidly because of the solid foundation laid by its former governor, Bola Tinubu, stressing that he is, also, laying foundation, which his successors would build on in Anambra State and be celebrated.

In response, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Lagos group, Chris Mackool Nwosu, said members saw more than what they expected during their inspection of Obi’s projects across the state.

Stated Nwosu: "We have come and have seen more than most of us expected. We thank you and your team for a work well done. The developments bear testimony because in most of the projects visited old structures were still there".

He said that even Obi's most vicious enemies know that a lot had taken place in the state, even though there must be criticisms, adding: "It will rather be insane to stop this beautiful music."

On his own part, Chief Emma Anyadike, leader of the group, urged Governor Obi to do more publicity and sort out problems in the political front just as one of the few women, Mrs. Amaka Onwuama, said they would ensure that Obi is returned to power next year.