Politics
Anambra 2021: Don Charges Electorate On Credible Leader
A political analyst, Prof. Augustine Nonyelu, has urged the Anambra electorate to start looking out for a credible leader who would implement good policies, ahead of November 2021 state governorship election.
Nonyelu who is the Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School, made the call on Saturday at a symposium organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel in Awka.
The symposium had the theme: ‘Anambra 2021: Setting Agenda for Credible Leadership’.
He said that credibility and integrity should guide their choice during the forthcoming poll
According to him, Anambra needs a governor who understands that the purpose of leadership is to protect and empower the citizens.
“With the kind of personalities and resources that we have in Anambra State, we are still not where we are supposed to be in terms of development.
“Different administrations have made some progress over the years to ensure transformation in the socio-economic and political landscapes of the state but basic amenities such as housing, healthcare, power supply, pipeborne water and good roads are still lacking.
“This is because Anambra politics is faced with challenges such as godfatherism, violence and political thuggery. As a result of godfatherism, the people are deprived of their fundamental human right to vote credible leaders.
“And when these imposed persons get to power, they do the bidding of their godfathers and refuse to pay attention to the yearnings of the people.
“It’s time we did away with godfatherism in our politics”, he said.
Nonyelu highlighted honesty, transparency, humility, innovation and competence as some leadership qualities the electorate should look for in those campaigning for votes in the November 2021 governorship election.
“As we approach another year of election, let this be a litmus test for those who are asking for our votes, those who wish to be re-elected and those who wish to be elected.
“We must elect a leader with integrity and competence, not a corrupt or dubious individual. An honest, sincere and exemplary leader who has the interest of the people at heart and would deliver on their campaign promises.
“When we vote someone who has effective leadership skills, there would be positive and desired changes in the state,” Nnoyelu added.
In his remarks, Mr Emmanuel Ndukuba, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, said that the challenges faced in the nation could be traceable to inadequacies in political leadership.
“Part of our functions as journalists includes agenda setting, especially as residents in Anambra will be going to the poll to elect a new governor.
“The issue of poor leadership has contributed to the high rate of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, corruption, lack of rule of law, absence of accountability and transparency, among others.
“The country needs a committed leader who would harness our human and natural resources for the common good of Nigerians,” Ndukuba said.(
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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