Ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, two All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants, Professor Obiora Okonkwo and High Chief Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo, yesterday gave reasons why they deserve to fly the party’s flag in the state.
They also criticised the incumbent governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), over his performance in security and economy.
Onunkwo, a founding APC member, said he has the capacity to solve the insecurity challenges facing the state.
In his declaration speech before the members of APC’s Zonal Executive Committee from Anambra South Senatorial District, the party chieftain, said his agenda will result in comprehensive development of the state and its people.
He urged party faithful to support his ambition assuring that he has the qualification, capacity, grassroot reach, experience, passion and compassion to effect positive change in Anambra.
The declaration was attended by officers of the party across the 20 wards of Aguata Local Government, the 27 Local Government Executives of Aguata Local Government Area led by Hon Godson Anyadike.
Meanwhile, Okonkwo told LEADERSHIP yesterday, that the policies of the current administration has caused poverty and insecurity in the state.
He said Soludo has failed to transform Anambra State into an “African Dubai and Taiwan,” as he promised.
The chairman, chief executive officer (CEO) of the United Airlines, said as much as he and Soludo are professors, the governor is a “professor of theories” while he is a “professor of practicals”.
Commenting on the insecurity situation in the state he said, investors have been chased away while indigenes of the state resident outside the state are scared of coming to invest.
He said many wealthy indigenes are forced to organise traditional marriage and white wedding ceremonies of their children outside the state.
The APC governorship aspirant also accused Soludo of intimidating opposing voices to the bad policies of his government.
He said “critics and commentators are not adversaries of the government, but rather citizens who want to see the government keep their promises and make suggestions on how the government might improve.
He said “It’s unacceptable for Soludo to become defensive and resort to verbal onslaught when reminded that there is little evidence on the ground to justify his 19 months in office. Isn’t it shameful that, five months away from his two-year mark as the executive governor, Charles Soludo still responds to criticism with promises of what he plans to do rather than showcasing tangible, verifiable achievements for the citizens to see and experience?
“Poverty, sorrow, regret, and disappointment have gripped the people of Anambra, yet instead of the Governor taking action and offering hope, he chooses threats and verbal onslaught as his response and defense”, he said.
