‘Vote For Candidates, Not Parties’

A chieftain of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Abia State, Dr. Obinna Aguaocha, has advised people of the state to vote for candidates (individuals) who have the fear of God and vision to develop the state, not on the basis of party affiliations.

   Aguoacha, the first son of a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the old Imo state, Dr. Onyebuchi Benson Aguocha, noted that Abia  State was backward because many of her civilian governors rode to power on the back of political parties, and had nothing to offer when saddled with leadership responsibilities.

He asserted that Abia must have a people-oriented government come 2011.

“It is my belief that we will have that opportunity come 2011, to ensure that we have a new government that will be responsive and accountable to people, a new government that will be able to secure and  rebuild Abia,” he said.

Speaking with The Tide shortly after a memorial service for his late father, who passed on a year ago, at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Okaiuga, Nkwoegwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Aguaocha also expressed optimism that the 2011 polls would be credible if INEC stands by its promises, with the electorate co-operating with the electoral body.

According to him, the electorate must be alive to its civic responsibilities by registering en masse during the voter registration exercise to acquire the power to choose their leaders.

 “It is our prayer that the assurances that have been given by Professor Attahiru Jega as well as the INEC will hold, and Nigerians, for the first time, will have a credible election. It is also my belief that if that were to hold, then the real votes and aspirations and expectations of people will hold.

“I believe that the first thing that we as citizens now need to do is to register to vote en masse, and then to cast our votes, not for party but for the individual who best reflects the values for our common purpose, somebody who has a plan to uplift the livelihood of people and to take Abia to the next level.

“Now, whatever I can do to help my fellow Abians to achieve such, you can count on me to do my own portion,” he said.

Aguocha is believed to be interested in vying for the governorship of the state.

On why he was yet to begin his campaign, when the state was agog with aspirants crisscrossing Abia and filling the airwaves with their jingles, he said:”I have not declared for a position.”

He however, added that the problem facing Abia state and real life issues facing its people required a serious-minded aspirant for the position of governor to tackle.

“This is not something that the entire noise making will solve because all those persons who are making the noise, once they are in government, they will also continue to forget the people and will not do things to elevate the livelihood of the people.

“Now, if I am running for Governor, I will be dealing with the issues, not so much about the noise making.

“We have seen the noise come and go and nothing has happened. So, now is the time for serious-minded people to come up with a blueprint, a clear and concise plan on how and what Abia should be like in the next four years,” he said.