The governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Dr. Obiora Okonkwo (Dikeora) has explained why the people of Anambra State should vote for him in the November 6 election.

In a message he sent to the people of Anambra , he highlighted the various ways he would transform the state when he becomes the helmsman.

Okonkwo said that he and his Deputy Governorship candidate Dame (Barr) Jessie Balonwu will conduct local government election within 12 months of taking the reins of governance in order to bring development to the people.

He said that under him, Anambra would witness giant infrastructural strides and human capacity development.

Below is the message that Dr.Okonkwo and Dame Balonwu sent to the people of Anambra State: “Our Dear Ndi Oma Anambra! Our heartfelt greetings to the good people of Anambra State and we pray this message meets you and your loved ones well.

“We are coming to you at this time with a message of our solemn commitment to the good of our dear state.

“As you are already aware, I, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo (Dikeora) and Dame (Barr) Jessie Balonwu are on the ballot as the Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the forthcoming (November 6 election) special election in Anambra State.

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“Our decision to fly the flag of ZLP, – the last on the ballot according to the alphabetical order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) uses to arrange its ballot papers – stems from our deepest desire to change the unfortunate trajectory of our dear state, particularly the very sad and precipitous decline we have all witnessed these past 7 years.

“We are in the governorship contest to reverse this unfortunate trend and to place her on a pedestal as a model for transformative, people-centered development not just in Nigeria but Africa at large. We are supremely confident this can be done with visionary leadership that taps into the indomitable entrepreneurial spirit and hard work of our people which saw us emerge from the
ruins of the civil war in record time to become the envy of the rest of the country.

“We are as worried as you are that our dear state has not actually progressed in terms of infrastructural and human capacity development despite being governed by democratically elected individuals since 1999.

“We are certainly as concerned as you are that our dear Anambra state has been left behind on key development indices despite the huge sums of money that flow into the state from the federation account along with internally generated revenue by way of the various taxes and rates that you, hardworking Anambrarians pay.

“We are aware that you are equally worried that our employment indices are looking downwards as evidenced by the high percentage of our youths roaming the streets for jobs that do not exist, but certainly can be created if we have a government that can foster the right synergy with the private sector to boost employment.

“Further, since the return to civil rule in 1999, our rural communities have become even more impoverished because of the refusal of successive administrations in the state to return power to the people through the conduct of local government elections, a
constitutional requirement of state governments in Nigeria. As a result, our people have been denied the right to participate in their own governance.

“Basic development projects and programs which elected local government authorities should bring to their people have failed to materialize because of the decision of the APGA government in the state to undermine local councils by refusing to release to them their statutory allocations from the federation account.

“At the base of political governance, independent local councils are foundational to grassroots development in Nigeria and it is in recognition of this that we pledge to conduct free and fair local government elections in Anambra state within our first 12 months in office as governor and deputy governor. This is a most solemn commitment from us never to deny you the right to elect your leaders at the local government level.

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“Much has been made of the ongoing construction of an airport at Umuleri. While the current APGA government deserves commendation for initiating the project, anyone with a rudimentary understanding of the aviation industry knows that it takes much
more than constructing the longest runway in the world to get an airport operational.

“It means we still have a very long way to go before the aviation authorities can authorize the commercial use of the airport for flight operations. I have recently become involved in the aviation sector through my founding of United Nigeria Airlines and as such, I know what next needs to be done to actually deliver a functional airport for Ndi Oma Anambra, along with the immense value chain it can create for our people.

“However, we are also mindful of your feeling that Anambra’s development aspiration goes way beyond an airport. It is in recognition of that, we have articulated a comprehensive, multifaceted development agenda anchored on wealth creation and poverty eradication under our 10 core pillars including Rapid Rural Development, Economic Growths with Jobs, Revitalization of Education -Human Capital Development, Youth Manpower Development and Employment, Planned Urbanization and Urban Renewal, Peace and Security, Improved Access to basic (preventive and curative) health services, Diaspora Engagement, Rebuilding our Ethical Infrastructure and, social welfare and poverty eradication.

“Education and youth empowerment shall be two of our core priorities. With respect to education, we commit to embrace both formal and informal education, make our schools the models for other states to follow, enhance enrollment especially for vulnerable children and champion vocational education where young people can acquire technical and vocational skills to earn a good living.

“Further, we shall set up special schools for specially gifted children with elaborate programme to enhance their talents. We have developed a blueprint that will empower Anambra youths through an apprenticeship scheme that guarantees them start-up funds. This is one area that we are deeply passionate about because of its potential to turn many of our youths into entrepreneurs and employers of labour within the shortest possible time.

“Ndi oma Anambra, we are deeply committed to this cause of changing the current development trajectory of our state. However, we cannot do it without you. First, we need you to propel us to Agu Awka and afterwards to hold us accountable every step of the way.

“Democracy thrives on an alert and active citizenry. Unfortunately, in Anambra as in the rest of Nigeria, our people have become so dehumanized by politicians that they now ask very little of their leaders. So much that today, paying salaries which our parents’ generation took for granted is now celebrated as achievement. Only if you know the enormous amount of money that enters the state
government account every month and how much of it is either stolen or wasted.

“Let usreiterate that we are not in this race for ourselves but to help chart a new course for our dear state and its people. Ours is a call to service and we solemnly pledge to you to run a listening government that consults and puts you first all the time. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) is the platform. Family is the symbol. Obiora Okonkwo and Jessie Balonwu shall be good shepherd. The future beckons!

Join the ZLP Movement- Maka Ilu Olu Oma!
High Chief Obiora Okonkwo Ph.D.
Governorship Candidate
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)”

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