Anambra Guber Debate: NGO Rates Obiano’s Performance High
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) gubernatorial candidate for Anambra elections on November 16, 2013, Chief Willie Obiano, has been described as an exemplary leader and a quintessential gentleman groomed to lead Anambra to the Promised Land following an excellent performance in the Gubernatorial Debate organized by Silverbird Television at Emmaus House, Awka at the weekend. This was the assessment by the Coordinator of the Transparent Leadership Youth Initiatives Centre, an Enugu based NGO, Dr. Godson Nwoye while speaking with newsmen immediately after the debate.
Assessing the six candidates that took part in the Debate, Dr Godson Nwoye, queried “How else can we differentiate a leader among men than what we have observed today? For a live broadcast that started at 4pm,Willie Obiano arrived 20 minutes to kick-off time at the venue before other contestants and waited, followed by the United Progressive Party (UPP), Professor Ben Akanegbu. Contrast that with the insensitivity displayed by Dr Chris Ngige who arrived 45minutes late, and the United Democratic Party (UDP), Mr. Godson Okoye, not to mention the duo of Dr Ifeanyi Ubah and Chief Godwin Ezemoo who did not show up at all.”
According to Dr Nwoye, apart from the idle politicking on display a look at the issues discussed showed that Dr Willie Obiano had a better grasp and understanding of what needs to be done in Anambra after the current government.
For instance, answering the question on how to generate funds outside federal allocation, Chris Ngige claimed that during his last spell as governor, he raised Anambra's internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to N400million but that it had since slid to N300million as at today.
But Dr Obiano countered that argument and showed that Anambra's current IGR stands at over N600million, and explained how he would use what he called the Four Wheels of Development: Agriculture, Trade and Commerce, Oil and Gas and Industrialization to boost the state's economy and create jobs.
Dr Nwoye observed that the debate actually opened the eyes of discerning Anambrarians to the qualities of Dr Obiano, stressing that he was impressed with his plans for education, health, security, environment, housing and urban development, infrastructure etc; areas where the current governor Peter Obi has done well which he would continue to stimulate economic growth across the three zones in the state.
Whereas Senator Chris Ngige of the APC was making unrealistic promises that airplanes would start landing at non existing airport by December 2014, Obiano made wise and sensible promises that chimed in with the mood of the audience, drawing applause every now and then. Even his exchange with one of the panel of judges on the issue of minimum wage showed clearly that Dr Obiano towers above others with his understanding of what is feasible and achievable.
Dr Godwin Nwoye said that the Centre is committed to ensuring that the ongoing political campaign in Anambra throws up a good leader hence they came to monitor the candidates and their performances with a view to carrying out an objective assessment of the candidates.“I have no doubt that all hope is not lost for Anambra because the people will make a wise choice from the pack,” he observed.