…Names Security, Education, Agriculture, Health as priorities
By Olayemi Esan and Tayelolu Akinbohun
A leading aspirant for Anambra State governorship contest in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ben Etiaba, has assured the people of Anambra State that his decision to throw his hat into the ring for the governorship race was to redefine governance in Anambra State and use the state to set the pace for the entire South-East by giving priority to Education, Health, Agriculture and Security.
Etiaba, who spoke at the national secretariat of the party on Tuesday, while submitting his nomination form ahead of the APC primaries coming up on June 26, expressed optimism that the party would win the election.
“Anambra State is unique and dynamic and so deserves a leader that can further reposition it for greater advancement. I offer myself for service because I have values to add and I have the experience to turn things around positively for our dear state. If we get it right and reposition, Anambra State stands the chance of being the number one State in Nigeria from any angle we look at it. Our people are not only industrious, but they are also brilliant and focused. We have a history of excellence in wealth creation, business, entrepreneurship, and even education but we need leaders who can help us explore all our potentials and refocus our energies,”
Etiaba, who solemnly led about 15 Party members from Anambra State to Abuja to submit the expression of interest and nomination forms, commended the federal government for various infrastructural development projects that have taken place or currently taking place in all the federal constituencies of the state.
“I laugh when some people talk down this administration in the area of performances because I know the Buhari administration has done a lot to keep its electoral promises. Unfortunately, those who should serve as chief marketers of the party choose to keep silent. That’s why we are clamouring for a new set of politicians to join the existing drivers of the party, especially in Anambra to further beat the drum for all about the significance of the administration to national development. With what the party has so far achieved in the country and in the South East, plus other plans ahead, I’m not in doubt that with or without me as APC candidate, our people will vote for the party, come November.
Etiaba, a former President of the United Kingdom chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), but returned and settled in the South East few years ago, said he deliberately came to the secretariat without funfair and pageantry because the time for celebration is yet to come.
However, he pointed out that he has nothing against those who came into the secretariat triumphantly, adding that people are different and so approaches also differ.
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“Once APC wins, there will be a lot of reasons for us to celebrate because I think we should only celebrate when we begin to do the things that will make our people smile,” he stated.
The aspirant, who was personally received by the Secretary of the Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party, Senator John Akpanudoedehe expressed confidence that he would emerge as the party’s candidate whether the exercise is through election or by consensus.
"My wish is that the will of God in line with my wish align to emerge the candidate of our great party for this governorship election in Anambra state. Today is the beginning of the journey and I believe that Anambra is on the verge of bringing something great. To me, something great will happen when you have a selfless leader,”
He, therefore, appealed to the Anambra people to vote for the APC candidate in the next election.
"We are on the verge of something great in Anambra state. We have less than twenty days to rescue the southeast, starting with Anambra by nominating the right candidate to fly the APC flag, and by remaining prayerful that that candidate wins the next election, which comes 6th of November.
"If these two things happen we would see a resurgence of greatness in the southeast commencing in Anambra, Afterall Anambra is known as the light of the Nation.
Responding, the National Secretary James Akpanudoedehe said, APC thanked Chief Ben Etiaba for picking a ticket and picking APC as his party. He added that the ruling party would provide a level playing field for all its aspirants.
