Anambra Decides: Realistic or Not (Episode 2)
Our Top 10 promises from Ben Etiaba, Nwankwo Wilson Chidozie and Godwin Maduka.
The race for Agu-Awka top seat in Anambra is heating up as candidates from different political parties in the state continue to mobilize voters for the November 6th election. Our team is collating the top ten (10) promises of the governorship aspirants in Anambra as part of our efforts to deepen citizens’ engagement in the political process.
In this episode two (2) of our Realistic or Not? Series, we have collated the top promises of Benneth Etiaba of Action Alliance, Nwankwo Wilson Chidozie of African Action Congress and Godwin Maduka of Accord Party.
Ben Etiaba - Action Alliance
Benneth Etiaba, a Chartered Accountant was announced as Action Alliance gubernatorial candidate after his exit from the All-Progressive Congress (APC). Ben Etiaba is campaigning on a 5-point agenda; Security Upgrade, Education Reform, Health Care Delivery, Agricultural & Industrial Revolution and Integrated Infrastructure & Environmental Protection with security topping the agenda for the Nnewi-born accountant. During the Arise News manifesto, Ben Etiaba stressed more on this agenda with emphasis on integrated infrastructure and education.
As at the time of collating these promises, Ben Etiaba’s campaign team have not released a policy document/manifesto document which is accessible to the public. However, we have pored through his speeches from debates to interviews on national television. The following are the 10 important promises using the metrics set by our research team;
1. “I will provide for Integrated Infrastructure in Anambra.”
2. “We will explore wind turbines for agriculture in the state.”
3. “Open up a safe Anambra for investment opportunities.”
4. “Adequately furnish hospitals with equipment and employ medical doctors who will be paid promptly and properly.”
5. “We will get more Anambrans into the Anambra Health Insurance Scheme and make it accessible to the people by subsidizing the Anambra Health Insurance scheme in other to get more medical people onboard the scheme.”
6. “I will set up 21 centres for sporting excellence across the state.”
7. “Complete all abandoned infrastructure projects in the state if elected.”
8. “Women will be given 50 percent of appointments in my government if elected.”
9. “We would partner with the youths and share government with them in the ratio of 50-50.”
10. “We will provide a mono-rail to make transportation flexible amidst other plans to engender efficient movement in the state.”
Nwankwo Wilson Chidozie - AAC
Dr. Nwankwo Chidozie is AAC gubernatorial aspirant in the race for Agu-Awka. The CEO of Wichtech was among the aggrieved aspirants who left one of the leading opposition parties in the state, APC to a new party to further push their governorship ambition. Earlier this month, Dr Chidozie was unveiled as AAC flagbearer in Awka amidst cheering from his teeming supporters.
Advokc team has been poring through his campaign speeches, debates and other channels to collate his promises ahead of the state election. Our team found that Dr. Chidozie is yet to release a policy document which highlights his plan for the state. The following are the top 10 promises that have been made by the AAC candidate while addressing supporters during campaign rallies, debate and interviews.
“I am going to create industrial parks in Anambra.”
“I will establish seaports in the state.”
“We are going to make more money than government gives us from Abuja.”
“All major roads in these cities will be turned into six lane boulevards with green areas adorning the pedestrian walkways and all drainage channels will be deep enough and always enclosed.”
“All Internal roads will be tarred and marked with accompanying street lights and traffic lights at intersections.”
“To decongest traffic at bottlenecks, some roads would be dualized while new alternative routes are created to give commuters options.”
“We will see to the creation of Greater Awka Capital City, Greater Onitsha Metropolis and the Greater Nnewi Industrial City.”
Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo will also push for the establishment of a fertilizer blending plant as well as a livestock feed production factory in a public private partnership arrangement.
In line with a green Anambra initiative, cities in the state will see a proliferation of green parks at areas earmarked for such in the original master plan for relaxation of residents.
Residential and commercial housing projects will be undertaken using a public private partnership to ensure these high quality modern apartments are equally affordable to the average Anambrarian.
Godwin Maduka - Accord Party
Dr. Godwin Maduka spoke glowingly of himself during the Arise News Manifesto leaving him with little time to discuss his plans for Ndi Anambra. Godwin Maduka will be on the ballot as Accord Party gubernatorial candidate after his exit from People Democratic Party following the anomalies recorded during PDP gubernatorial primaries in the state.
A trained medical doctor, Godwin Maduka is one of the candidates with intimidating academic qualifications ahead of the state election. Maduka has also continued to expand his grassroot support through his foundation which has provided succour for many underprivileged people in the state. While canvassing for vote across the state, the Umuchukwu-born doctor said his government will focus on security and wellbeing of his people if he wins the election.
Just like the other two candidates profiled in this report, Dr. Godwin Maduka’s policy document/manifesto is not available to the public. The following are his top promises using our metrics;
“I want to bring education closer to the people by creating satellite campuses in 21 local governments of the state.”
“By the end of 4 years in office, Anambra will be the most literate state in Nigeria.
“We will have foreign investors invest 50% of the monies to be used in the building of the campuses.”
“Revive the educational system so that citizens won't pay for elementary and secondary education.”
“It is not difficult to create a maritime route from the Atlantic Ocean to Onitsha to boost our commerce, we just need to engage the people who know what to do and I am already talking with them.”
“If elected, my administration will make Anambra the number one medical tourism destination.”
“I won’t draw/collect salary if elected as a state governor.”
“We will organise a local government election in the state 6 months after getting elected.”
“I am going to turn Ogbaru and Nzam in Anambra West into a tourist centre.”
“We are going to build a mobile phone factory; In Anambra we are fearless and we always make a difference in anything we do. We would build our phones.”
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