Anambra 2021: Key Campaign Promises of Top 3 Governorship Candidates
In the next few hours, the people of Anambra state will troop out to elect a new governor who will take over from Governor Willie Obiano.
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There are a total of 18 governorship candidates who will slug it out at the poll for the state's number one political seat.
Source: Facebook
However, three among the candidates stand out; Charles Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Senator Andy Uba, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Valentine Ozigbo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In the past few weeks/months, the candidates have been campaigning around the state, making efforts to woo the voters to their sides.
Here are some of the key promises the top three candidates made to the Ndi Anambra:
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Charles Soludo
Soludo, APGA candidate, has his campaign promises detailed in a 72-page manifesto, according to Premium Times.
Among others, he plans to change, develop, boost and transform Anambra state from a dominantly informal commercial state to a formal, productive, and competitive economy.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) explained that this would be underpinned by rapid industrialisation, agriculture, commerce, entertainment/leisure and the creative industry, technology and innovation, solid minerals, and oil and gas.
That's on the economy. On security, Soludo if elected plans to work with the federal government to restore peace in the troubled state.
He also promises to provide adequate logistics and material/infrastructure support to security agencies in the southeastern state.
Another way he plans to tackle insecurity is through employment and equipment of more personnel, training and retraining of vigilante officers to improve their effectiveness.
The APGA candidate didn't leave out women as he promises to ensure more active participation of women at all levels of decision-making and governance at the community, local government, and state government levels.
He promises to create specific programmes to empower women-owned businesses and enterprises and also seek partnerships and funding from direct investments to support these businesses.
The former CBN governor also plans to digitalise government operations to ensure transparency if elected.
Regarding the environmental challenges in Anambra, Soludo plans to make the flooding and erosion issue a priority.
He says his administration will open and clear drainages and flood channels regularly to eliminate the annual flooding of roads, streets, communities, among other plans.
Senator Andy Uba
The APC candidate, Senator Andy Uba, has his own plans listed in a 28-page manifesto.
On insecurity, Uba plans to initiate an All-Hands-On-Deck (AHOD) Programme which would be a collaborative programme between three key stakeholders:
- Anambra state government
- Local communities
- Members of the Anambra vigilante services
The APC candidate believes his plan will create close-knit information and intelligence gathering network between the relevant stakeholders.
Senator Uba also plans to create inter-community conflict resolution centres for quick mediation of disputes before it escalates to communal violence.
If elected, the prominent southeast politician says he will establish an emergency call centre in the state which will be connected to a quick response police unit for quick reactions to crime and public disorder.
On the economy, Uba says the school curriculum will be modified to teach entrepreneurial skills relevant to today’s industry.
He also promises to revamp existing vocational centres and equip them to provide relevant skills, give tax incentives and rebates to companies willing to employ more workers.
The APC candidate promises to provide a conducive and business-friendly environment to attract companies into Anambra.
On environment, Uba among other plans promises to commercialise solid waste collection, disposal and also create awareness on the 3R of waste management; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Senator Uba also promises to provide jobs and other empowerment initiatives for women in order to improve their poverty rates.
Valentine Ozigbo
The PDP candidate, Valentine Ozigbo key promises for women in his manifesto. He promises to allocate up to 25 per cent of his appointments to women in the first year of his administration and increases the percentage in subsequent years.
The promises according to Premium Times are contained in Ozigbo's 40-page manifesto.
If elected, the PDP flag bearer also promises to run an open, accountable through data-driven government.
Just like others, he promises to tackle erosion problems and focus on opportunities in the waste management value chain.
In tackling the environmental issues, Ozigbo believes jobs will also be created.
On insecurity, the governorship candidate promises to maintain and improve on the community-led vigilante activities in the state.
He also promises to build consensus with traditional rulers, youth groups, and other key stakeholders to ensure speedy and effective conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
On economy, Ozigbo promises to create economic growth and opportunities for all. Below is how he plans to achieve economic growth:
- Boosting manufacturing
- Large-scale agricultural production
- Innovation
- Trade and commerce
Empty streets as Anambra residents begin sit-at-home despite IPOB's cancellation
Meanwhile, most streets in Anambra state are currently empty as residents have stayed indoors due to the one-week sit-at-home order.
Although the Indigenous People of Biafra cancelled the order on Thursday evening, November 4, residents have stayed indoors due to fear of being attacked or harassed for stepping out.
A Legit.ng reporter who visited several busy areas in the state capital like Unizik Junction, Ifite, Okpuno Agu Awka observed a lull in business and commercial activities in the area. Ogechi Anyanwu, a food seller at the UNIZIK junction who braced the odds and came out to sell, lamented over the non-availability of customers.
Former Head of State makes powerful prediction ahead of Anambra election
In another development, former head of state and chairman National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has predicted that the November 6 Anambra state governorship election will be peaceful.
Abubakar made this known on Thursday, November 4, after candidates participating in the gubernatorial race signed a Peace Accord.
The former head of state, who was in company with the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, called on the residents to maintain peace to ensure success in the November 6 governorship election.
Source: Legit.ng
