Two-time deputy governor of Abia State, Eric Acho Nwakanma, is aiming at the coveted job of the state chief executive. In this interview with Agamnetochi Onoh, Nwakanma, who is chairman of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatic Hospital Enugu and former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, argues that Governor Theodore Orji’s successor must be someone who has passed through the governor’s grill and is ready to run. Nwakanma says the cap fits him. Excerpts:
Eric Acho Nwakanma’s well documented track record in the politics of Abia and his national assignments seem to be an advantage in his current quest to occupy Government House, Abia State.
Apart from a group of Abia indigenes seeking attention in faraway Washington DC in the US, through a press conference, giving the impression that Governor Theodore Orji and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were advocating for power shift in favour of Abia South, the home of the Ukwa/Ngwas, the move is a done deal of the citizenry. The well-advertised press briefing by Engineer Nweke Ndineze under the umbrella of ‘Abia Progressives Union’ said the group was registering its concerns over the move, urging leaders of the National Secretariat of PDP to intervene and correct the purported zoning arrangement. Yet, the governor’s gesture and that of the party in favour of power shift have received the endorsement of all the senatorial zones in the state. And one of the beneficiaries of this political arrangement is Acho Nwakanma among the many aspirants squaring up to move into Orji’s big shoes. Nwakanma’s website has received thousands of visitors since he made an open declaration and intent to step into the gubernatorial contest. A twice deputy governor, Nwakanma’s learning curve in the art of governance and the political process of who gets what and what gets done took place under the watchful eyes of Governor Orji and he does not fail to acknowledge how this has changed his world view on many issues.
Also equally important is his ability to adapt what he learnt in government into his private life and public service at the national level. A good example is his large farm which he sees as a practical response to Orji’s agricultural revolution in Abia, an agrarian state that suffered a somersault after the civil war. Another is the Acho Nwakanma Foundation, through which he is fighting the cause of the mentally ill, using his legislative experience to effectively bring this to the knowledge of a greater number of Nigerians through the passage of a bill at the National Assembly.
For Nwakanma, governance and peaceful co-existence can only prosper when fairness and equity become the watchword. As he puts it: “When you look at equity, you concentrate on the intent not the content. The shift of power to the Ukwa/Ngwa axis is intended to give us a sense of belonging; we have qualified candidates in all ramifications from the axis.”
Ukwa/Ngwa, he insists, houses the economic nerve centre of the state, the Enyimba City, called Aba, which if developed, will enhance the general economy of the state. Nwakanma acknowledges that even Aba has received a face-lift and tremendous infrastructure development, the previous administrations ignored.
A mention of Kalu took him to memory lane when reminded the only way to steer the state to the next level beyond the legacy projects of the Orji administration was to have a rugged chief executive that must not wobble under the pressure of godfatherism and what in Abia is popularly called “mamcracy” both of which imply a political philosophy of mother and son dominating the state politics. Nwakanma reclines on his sofa and adds he knew where the reporter was coming from, which is the alleged rumour in many informed quarters that he was too soft to face Kalu’s ambition of regaining the political control of the state.
First of all, he asks, how is it possible that Abians who suffered and experienced unparalleled economic regression for eight years plus under the former governor, would want to have him back? The elite was blamed for going to sleep because politics was considered to be dirty and that was how the state was hijacked by those who saw it as the easiest route to expand their economic empire. But that belongs to the past, he adds. Nwakanma will not let the argument rest, asking how he would go back to a man under whose service as deputy governor he suffered so much victimisation and neglect, reminding you that the entire Abia elite and the grassroots were unanimous in the rejection of Kalu and his style of politics.
“When I have the mandate of the people how can I turn against them and bring him back? We are enjoying unprecedented unity and cohesion in the PDP because of the open-mindedness of the governor, the Ochendo. He brought everyone under one umbrella. We do not want any rabble-rouser in our midst. We will not change our position on this matter.”
Nwakanma adds for the avoidance of doubt that he is dedicated to ensuring that the unity in PDP remains constant and that the party will continue to govern Abia State because “we have people-oriented programmes endearing the people to us. We are moving forward.”
Nwakanma who is obviously thrilled with the huge network of infrastructure development known as the legacy projects of the Theodore Orji administration says he will ensure this prodigious assignment remains sustained and elevated to the next level. Legacies, he stresses, are meant for posterity and a critical study of these projects will tell you why they are called as such. Hear him: “His Excellency, Governor T.A. Orji has invested in critical infrastructure, provision of security, good governance, and sustenance of the physical environment. I am particularly excited by the massive investment he has made in healthcare and youth empowerment.
“Looking at the wider picture, he has made monumental accomplishments in providing optimum security and a business friendly environment, building critical infrastructure and uplifting education, creating wealth and employment through empowerment, strengthening governmental institutions and elevating the civil service while guaranteeing a clean environment for healthy citizens.”
But his love for Orji’s agricultural revolution policy knows no bounds and he insists it is one sector the outgoing governor has done so well after infrastructure and health development. He adds: “Agriculture has been a sector the governor has done creditably well. With the establishment of Liberation Farms all over the state, the governor realised that there is a lack of modern skill, set amongst our farmers.
“He has embarked on a comprehensive training programme in modern farming methods, using the Liberation Farms. Some stipends are also being paid these farmers as they undergo training. You see Abians are predominantly farmers although most of them are in the subsistence category of farmers.
“However, the governor’s objective is to produce commercial farmers and drive up Abia’s rating, increase revenues, and make more people gainfully employed, injecting revenue and agro-inputs. But there are limitations given the funds and the resources available to Abia State.”
Nwakanma says under his administration, agriculture will witness a tremendous patronage having practiced it and known what it takes to be a farmer at different levels adding he would aim at elongating the value-chain for most farm produce, identifying and focusing on the areas the state has comparative advantage.
“My mission in agriculture will be to fashion out policies and programmes that will assist our farmers to produce all year round for the populace, market their produce, put more money into their pockets, and increase raw materials for our industries.
“Key ingredients will be finding markets for our farmers and increasing the value chain through processing and finished products. I shall also propel a complete shift from the traditional farming methods and develop unique but modern approaches.”
On the health angle closely followed by the gains in the education sector, Nwakanma says while working with Governor Orji, he saw the tremendous turn-around witnessed in both sectors. And when he was nominated to chair the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, he started crusading for improved healthcare package, amiable and better understanding of the mentally ill in society. That mindset, he explains, will come into play in the new dispensation.
Beyond these pontifications, grabbing the power centre of Abia is the most important issue without which these aspirations will remain mere platitudes and it calls for a sense of urgency, he insists. The often-repeated question of what makes him think he is the best man to wear the cap is posed at him. Nwakanma says his period of learning and all that he learnt remain an indelible growth process needed about now to move Abia forward. “I have been exposed to an awesome and stimulating experience, walking the ropes and under the tutelage of Ochendo, the people’s governor. It was worthwhile, especially in preparing me for the task ahead.”
According to him, “it opened my eyes to the challenges that a governor would face, giving me a hands-on familiarity with the job. I would not entirely be a newcomer to the task of being the number one servant of the state. Let me give an example of something I learnt on that job.
Working as Deputy Governor, he adds, made him realise that Abia State did not have a long-term development plan. So each governor that came had to bring his own approach to governance and the delivery of democracy dividends but with Orji things began to take a turn for the best.
“They each had their unique vision of what they wanted to give to the people of Abia by way of result-oriented governance. And I had the opportunity of understudying them. Now I am better equipped, having learnt from the mistakes of the past, the successes of the present and the challenges of the future. All rounds, the experience was strengthening, he said.
