Anambra North: I’m the new face of Anambra PDP – Ikefuna
The aspirant fondly called SAMZEK believes he is the talisman the PDP need to wrest power from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA in the constituency. A foundation member of the PDP from Awkuzu in Oyi LGA, Ikefuna spoke with journalists in on his political move, which he described as rescue mission.
State of the nation
I am proud of what President Goodluck Jonathan has been doing. It is such that Nigeria has become the largest growing economy in Africa today. I only wish to suggest that the government to re-strategises seriously in its counter-terrorism techniques. Terrorism is a worldwide challenge, but it must be contained and nipped in Nigeria. This will make both foreign and local investors start coming in larger numbers.
In the area of infrastructure, the government has done very well. You will recall that Jonathan started the development of the country when he was the vice-president. The design for the renovation of the nation’s airports was initiated when he was the Vice President, and Dr. Ifediora Amobi headed the team and was in charge then. However, I will like him to do more on infrastructure development, especially the roads in South-East geopolitical zone generally.
Life of service
I realised early that the most important thing in life was investment in human resource. We have to invest in individuals. And how do we do this? We must bring education to the reach of all and sundry. There are many intelligent and smart students that are indigent; so we use our scholarship scheme and initiative to get them properly educated. We also have an NGO that provides for the need of those living with HIV/AIDS and other such individuals in one need or the other. We assist them with food, drugs and money so as to give them some sense of belonging and not feel abandoned by the society. Some of the people that were so helped have started contributing their own quota to the development of their communities today. The scholarship scheme started in 2006 and with the help of God, we have been very consistent in putting smiles on the face of the less privileged. But there is a limit to the efforts of an individual, so I know that through the senate and using that leverage to get the Federal Government involved, it would then be easy for the people.
Mission to rescue
Since the dawn of the present democratic dispensation in 1999, our people have not had a vibrant or responsive representation in the National Assembly. I am therefore going to the senate to get all life-enhancing infrastructures for my people, especially looking at the much talked-about seaport at Onitsha. We need to ask ourselves why that seaport has not commenced activities because it is a project that has the capacity to turn the economy of the state, the entire geopolitical zone and nation around. A look at the Anambra North senatorial zone shows that it is the economic hub of the state. It is the food basin of the state. Most of the agricultural products available in the state are produced in the zone. But the people are still wallowing in poverty. The past senators evidently were not interested in taking care of my people, including the youths. I thank God that the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano has at last tackled the hitherto prevalent insecurity situation in the state.
So, there is need to complement his efforts with some federal might. He cannot concentrate all the state’s resources to handle only the youths. There is high need to use the carrot of employment to tackle criminality. That’s the area we need people of vision, people that are articulate, people who can deliver. These are the qualities I personify. I am better placed, going by the massive experience I have gathered from the organised private sector, especially the oil sector. I will deliver and pull my people out of the shackles of poverty and degradation.
Needs and challenge
Many still cannot provide the basic necessities of life such as housing units for themselves. They lack healthcare, the poverty level is still very high. The people oftentimes cannot afford two good meals a day. Some of them cannot even afford any anti-malaria drugs and they are being wasted on daily basis. Our representatives always seem to turn a blind eye to the plight of the people and that is one of the biggest errors I am coming to stop and correct. I want to give them a new lease of life through quality, active and representation in the upper chamber of the National Assembly as well as attracting democratic dividends to the so much neglected zone. I want to give them a sense of belonging so that they can bring out their best. One can only bring out his or her best by being motivated and made moderately comfortable. They should have good shelter upon their heads, feed well and live well. It is a disaster that many lives have been wasted because of their inability to buy N150 anti-malaria drugs. These are going to be my priority areas.
Parents’ worst dilemma
The biggest issue our representatives have is that they have not been attracting dividends of democracy to the masses. Constituency projects are not visible at all in the area. They are not doing anything to help the masses. But, I have been contributing my own quota toward alleviating the sufferings of my people with my personal resources. I have sunk water-boreholes. I have been maintaining some roads with my personal funds for years now. I have always made logistics available to security agencies in my constituency from time to time, especially the police since 1999. I am happy to tell you that those interventions continue. Our lawmakers have been neglecting a lot of things affecting the lives and welfare of the citizens that I need to bring to the national front burner for solution. I cannot talk enough about youth empowerment. Now I have directed my team to raise a register of the unemployed youths in the seven local government areas that constitute my constituency so that from now, jobs can be given to the jobless from the pool so raised. The worst thing a parent would go through is after training a child in the university, you go out and come back daily to meet the child playing video games. That is the worst dilemma a parent can face and I feel this calls for urgent attention. We want to handle this strategic area and get our people employed and empowered.
Imo PDP leadership crisis
I am neutral and will be the new face of PDP. I don’t belong to any faction. I don’t have problem with any group. I will surely be the rallying point to all the factions so the party can take its lost glory back in Anambra State. APGA is winning because the PDP is always divided. PDP can only lay hold back to the leadership/control of the state only when the factions allow common interest to override selfish motives and then form a common front. And I tell you again that this can only be achieved by having a virgin face, a neutral personality who will be acceptable to all the warring factions. Anambra State is predominantly PDP and allowing APGA’s dominance is just not acceptable because APGA can never win any election in Anambra State without the PDP delivering those votes to them. The PDP machinery and structure has always worked against PDP because of internal wrangling. All the warring factions must sheath their swords and allow peace reign in the interest of the party and the people.
Rotational formula
As far as the PDP is concerned in Anambra State, we have never had a rotational discussion. For instance, in the last governorship election, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu from the South senatorial zone contested fiercely against Comrade Tony Nwoye who is from the North. Nobody stepped down for the other. Nwoye eventually picked the ticket after a keenly contested primary, not on any zonal arrangement. There was no concession of any sort. So, coming to the race to the senate, there is this rumour that there is an agreement within APGA that Ogbaru Local Government Area should be allowed to take the shot, which sounds ridiculous because Ogbaru is presently having the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) after their failed attempt at the governorship, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and until recently the Minister of Aviation as well as the Commissioner for Local Govt/Chieftaincy Affairs.
So, it will be unconscionable for a person from the same Ogbaru to even think of participating in the race for the upper chamber of the National Assembly let alone foisting the idea that the slot has been reserved for the council area. If there is such arrangement, it should be set before the commencement of the process of election. You don’t change the rules guiding a game midway into the match.
Square peg, square hole
I want the people of Anambra North to look beyond the surface; we must stop this attitude of putting wrong people in responsible positions. It is no longer a time for complaint, it is a time to look deep into the water and see the real substance and then make a viable and better choice because it is no longer fashionable to pick the wrong person only to start complaining and regretting later. We cannot afford another mistake this time. We need a credible man of vision and mission. Above all, a man with the fear of God and deep love for the people, to represent Anambra North in the Senate. I am that right choice for the job.
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