By OGEMDI OZOEMENAM, Awka
The Governorship Candidate of Labour Party (LP), Chief George Moghalu has called on all candidates and deputies of various political parties to conduct their campaigns in orderly and civil manner ahead of the forthcoming November 8 Governorship election in Anambra State.
He stated this against the backdrop of the altercation between Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and his wife Nonye, on one side against Prince Nicolas Ukachukwu and Senator Uche Ekwunife, candidate and deputy candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) on the other side. The duel ranged from qualification, infidelity, blackmail, among others.
But reacting on this matter in Awka, Dr Moghalu said the candidates should concentrate on issue-based campaigns aimed at alleviating the suffering of the people; rather than discussing mundane things like sex and qualifications.
He noted that casting aspersions and unnecessary accusations using foul language are tantamount to belittling them and should not be found among people of their status.
“Let’s concentrate on what we are going to offer our people, draw attention of the citizenry to the shortcomings of government and proffer solutions.
“Use this opportunity to market yourself because we are dealing with people. Tell them who you are and how you would alleviate their burdens, contribute to making the society a better place and change the narrative of Anambra state.”
Speaking about more contending issues, Dr Moghalu said the present administration of Professor Soludo has failed woefully in all facets of facets of the economy, hence the need for candidates to use this campaign period to enter into a social contract with the people on how to serve them better.
“When Peter Obi was the governor, Anambra has always been taking first and second position in education because he provided necessary infrastructure like computers, buses to schools and things were better. But this time around, we are in the 20th to 26th position. These are things I expect will engage us as politicians.
“Our health system has gone bad, there is infrastructural decay, low-quality infrastructure, erosion issues, insecurity and things that torch the lives of our people; and not personal issues,” Moghalu said.
On the issue of insecurity, he said the state is totally insecure with respect to the recent killings of mourners at a funeral venue in Ogidi, shooting of traders at Onitsha Main Market, kidnappings, among others, assuring that when elected, LP government under his watch, will tackle insecurity using multi-dimensional approaches.
“Tackling insecurity is among the 12-point agenda, which we intend to solve using kinetic and non kinetic approaches, youth empowerment, employment and technology like Central Control System or CCTV at strategic places, video cameras and drones to cover bushes. Local vigilante will be taken as quasi-police to be equipped and remunerated properly. This is opposed to what obtains now.
“The worst thing you can do to a man is to arm untrained persons and pay them peanuts. It is tantamount to creating a new band of armed robbers. I had called for the disbandment of Agunechemba Security Outfit because of their activities, since the current administration cannot train, equip and remunerate them properly.
“Sienna buses not needed, rather you buy them Hilux vans, all of which will be linked with radio communication to each community in the state, so that anybody that commits a crime in Awka, will be caught while trying to cross Amansea or any other place in Anambra. Here, the Central Control System is working adequately by recieving signals from security radio across all communities in the state.
“Federal Security agencies (Police, NSCDC, Road Safety etc) will be given life assurance coverage that protects their family, gives them accommodation for life, free education for their children and provides their wives with employment opportunities or empowerment. So any of them coming into the state will know that his welfare is guaranteed, hence will put in his best in the service of protecting lives and property of Ndi Anambra,” Moghalu, former Director-General of Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), concluded.
