Since Nigeria adopted the democratic system of government in 1999, our elections have been largely flawed. Political candidates and their propagandists cook up manifestos and sell to the electorates through the media and at campaign grounds.
Political party leaders often exaggerate their candidate’s competencies, and platforms, where the electorates could engage candidates, are either lacking or when available, ‘staged’.
In order to stem the tide, Enough is Enough Nigeria has been encouraging civic participation in elections since 2011 by organizing debates which creates an interphase between the candidates and the electorates.
On Sunday, the 12th day of November 2017, Enough is Enough Nigeria in partnership with ChannelsTV, Policy, Legal, and Advocacy Center (PLAC), and National Democratic Institute (NDI) organized the 2017 Anambra Governorship Debate tagged #AnambraDebates.
The participating candidates were: Tony Nwoye of the All Progressives Congress, APC; Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA; Oseloka Obaze of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Godwin Ezemo of the Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA; and Osita Chidoka of the United Progressive Party (UPP).
All the candidates were quizzed on issues based on Economy, Infrastructure, Employment and Security in Anambra State.The candidates were given a level playing ground and each gave their promises to Anambra citizens. Their promises are highlighted below:
Tony Nwoye
The All Progressive Congress candidate promised to block leakages in government if elected. He said the lack of electricity and portable roads are the major challenges bedeviling Anambra.
‘Most of the power lines in Anambra are 33KVA instead of 330KVA. I will do more on power if i’m elected governor, I will also work on many roads and I will make security a topmost priority because all this will create an enabling environment for foreign investment’ – Nwoye.
Oseloka Obaze
The People’s Democratic Party’s candidate promised to focus on Education and Human Capital Development.
‘I will conduct local government elections in Anambra within 6 months if elected. I will also devote 26% of the budget to Education and provide free education to students from kindergarten to Jss3’- Obaze
Willie Obiano
The incumbent governor and the All Progressive Grand Alliance candidate promised to make Anambra a hub for economic and commercial activities. He also promised to make Anambra the first choice investment destination.
“Every community got N40 million already in my first tenure, each community will get N200 million in my next four years in office.” – Obiano
Osita Chidoka
The United Progressive Party candidate promised to introduce technology in the Education sector.
‘Only 13% of our students in Jss3 are computer literate. The education our children are getting is the education of yesterday, I will let them have the education of tomorrow’ – Chidoka
The One-time minister for Aviation also promised to focus on human capital development and Job creation for IPOB youths.
Godwin Ezemo
The Peoples Progressive Alliance candidate promised to introduce skill-based education.
“We have relied so much on certificate and we are failing because I am an industrialist, I have seen that 70% of our graduates are not employable; it’s only about 30%”. Ezemo
It is the right of citizens to vote, and also protect their votes. Engaging candidates based on their electoral promises is one of the ways of promoting good governance and public accountability. Anambra, don’t just Vote, Protect your Vote.