The two major governorship candidates in the forthcoming November 6, 2021, gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressive Congress (APC), were absent at the Anambra State Governorship Manifesto Defence Debate held at Professor Dora Akuyelli Women Development Centre Awka, on Friday night.
Other Governorship absentees included: Dr Obiora Okonkwo of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Dr Dozie Nwankwo, Action Alliance Congress (AAC), Dr Obiora Agbasimalo, Labour Party, Comrade Afam Nwaokafor, National Rescue Movement (NRM), Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, Young Progressive Party (YPP), Dr Obinna Uzor, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Chief Nnamdi Nwawuo of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), among others.
The debate was moderated by the former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, on Media/Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati.
The debate, titled “2021 Anambra Governorship Election: Face the Voters” was organised by Kwechiri Unity Forum in Collaboration with Arise Television (Arise TV).
Sunday Tribune gathered that the debate, had in attendance; the governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Valentine Ozigbo, Accord Party candidate, Dr Godwin Maduka, Action Alliance (AA), Chief Ben. Etiaba, candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr Akachukwu Nwankpo, Candidate of Allied People’s Movement (APM), Col. Geoffrey Onyejegbu, media organisations, labour unions, civil societies, religious bodies and other political stakeholders in the state.
The National Coordinator of Kwechiri Unity Forum, Mr Anselem Onorah, said that the 18 political parties contesting the election were invited for the debate, explaining that only five parties were present at the programme.
He, however, gave the ongoing consultations and campaigns as partial reasons for their absents.
According to him, “We invited all the candidates for this debate and only five of them honoured the invitation and their manifestos were excellently presented before Ndi-Anambra and the world at large.
The moderator, Reuben Abati, grilled the five governorship candidates on leadership, economy, agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, election security, insecurity and the deplorable condition of roads across the state.
Chief Ben Etiaba (AA) while responding to the questions, vowed to stop Anambra bigwigs from coming home only during festive seasons to intimidate the governor with their unconscious serene vehicles and police escort.
He expressed worry over the ongoing construction of the International conference centre by governor Willie Obiano, when Dora Akunyili Centre is still an abandoned project, noting that building an international conference centre at that location would increase traffic gridlocks on Enugu-Onitsha highway, by Government House Awka.
He also promised to provide enabling environment for every resident in the state for their businesses to strive.
He called on Anambra youths to shun any act of violence during voting.
Also, Col. Geoffrey Onyejegbu, the APM candidate, promised to run a transparent government if elected, cautioning INEC on the credible outcomes.
“This state must have respect for peace and order.
“I plead, as a security expert, with our young men not to go near violence, and our leaders must discourage violence before, during and after the election.
He also urged the youths not to die for any politician in the name of an election.
Similarly, the candidate of Accord Party, Dr Godwin Maduka, assured that if elected governor, he would build 21 satellite universities across 21 LGAs in Anambra to bring education closer to okada riders, petty traders, artisans others in the state.
“All the money we will use to run my Government will come from foreign investors.
“I will ensure Anambra produce a phone immediately I take over, stop medical tourism.
“As I speak to you, no single thatched house in my town. I replaced all with brick houses and I will do same to all the poor communities in the state, if, given the chance to governed come March 18, 2022, he added.
On his part, the Candidate of PDP, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, said his administration would leverage five clusters; Onitsha, Nnewi, Awka, Omambala to develop Anambra.
“I will Provide sufficient infrastructure, water infrastructure, boost agriculture to let Omambala cluster feel govt presence”, he added.
Ozigbo described Awka and its environs as a glorified city in Nigeria under Obiano led-APGA government.
He promised to change the narrative if elected.
Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, ADC candidate, who also showed his capability, begged eligible voters, not to vote those who held the Anambra economy hostage.
“Give me your votes. I will run the Umunna government. Every Umunna will be part of my Government”, he pleaded.
He warned the youths not to allow themselves to be used for violence at the election.
The guber candidates, in their separate vote of thanks, urged governor Willie Obiano to urgently declare a state of emergency on Anambra roads.
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