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Tag: Obiano

Much ado over Obiano’s re-election bid

Early endorsements for the re-election of Governor Willie Obiano in 2017 is the source of the current increased political tension in Anambra State, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

The next governorship election in Anambra State is still many months away but the political atmosphere of the South-East state is already hot. While opponents of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)-led state government blamed the tensed political situation to what they described as informal but consistent early campaigns for Governor Willie Obiano’s re-election bid in 2017, his supporters and aides allege that it was the handiwork of mischievous rivals bent on discrediting the governor in order to frustrate his re-election.

Aside verbal crossfire of political rivals in the state over the proposed re-election bid of the serving governor, recent events show that non-governmental organisations and commoners have been dragged into the political battle.

Just last week, tricycle operators numbering over 100 reportedly visited the Nnewi office of a national newspaper threatening to work against Obiano’s re-election bid. They alleged that the Obiano-led state government “has been anti-people in the last two years.”

Mr. Emerie Anigbogu, the spokesperson of the protesting Keke NAPEP Operators, was quoted by the paper as saying “they decided to take their matter to the court of public opinion because they have suffered in silence for long.”

According to them, Obiano had, in a state broadcast, announced the suspension of all manner of levies and taxes, but the government “somersaulted” and is now “coercing us to join a union for exploitative purposes.

“This government is full of deceit; they give you something with left hand and collect it back with right hand, the SA to the governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Uche Okonkwo, have not stopped using funny characters to extort money from the operators.

“The latest attack on us is that they now want every operator to belong to a union that was allegedly formed by the state government and each operator is expected to pay three hundred and fifty naira daily in the park and fifty naira per loading. This is outside N10, 500 (Ten thousand, five hundred Naira) they want us to pay for registration”, he alleged.

Such open attack on the governor can be traced back to the first anniversary of his government when his critics frowned at some open endorsement of his candidacy for the next governorship election. Wondering why the governor and his supporters would begin so early to talk about endorsement and re-election instead of facing governance, his critics told newsmen that, “the endorsements and praise singings have derailed Obiano from giving his best to the state in terms of governance as he faced second term mission rather than administration.”

One of the non-governmental organisations that first condemned the re-election bid on prints was the Face to Face Campaign Organisation of Nigeria which attacked the National Executive and state branch of APGA for “allegedly endorsing the re-election bid of the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano.”

Engr. Paul Ezeka, the Coordinator of the group, had told newsmen that he was “disappointed with the way the leadership of APGA is closing the door against other aspirants for the forthcoming 2017 Governorship Election in Anambra State.” He went back to the campaign promises of APGA and alleged that Obiano has not fulfilled them and so should not be endorsed for re-election.

As he puts it: “Let us start by reviewing 2013 campaign manifesto of APGA/Willie Obiano, as I deeply reviewed his promises, vows, manifesto, agenda, etc., during his campaign; according to his mission for better Anambra State, a campaign strategy, stated; “To create a socially stable, business friendly environment that will attract both indigenes and foreigners to seek wealth creating opportunities in Anambra State

“I want to equivocally ask APGA leaders, how socially stable are businesses in Anambra State, how friendly has Anambra State government policies positively impacted on businesses in Anambra State, how many indigenous companies did he establish, or encourage to be established, not to talk about foreign investment? How many jobs has he created, to reduce hunger and unemployment in Anambra State, Ndi Anambra can’t be deceived again come 2017.

“The truth remains that, Governor Willie Obiano has been “idle” in the Anambra State Government House since 2013.”

The Coordinator of Face to Face Campaign Organisation of Nigeria advised the All Progressives Grand Alliance to allow a better candidate as their flag bearer for the forthcoming governorship election or face defeat.

But the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Strategic Communications and Legislative Matters to Governor Obiano, Prince Oliver Okpala, dismissed allegation of non-performance against his boss as “infantile, laughable and the handiwork of mischievous political opponents. While describing the governor’s critics as mischievous elements, he told The Nation that Obiano has delivered on his campaign promises and that he therefore deserves to be re-elected in 2017.

As the verbal crossfire between Obiano and his critics persists, observers say the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State promises to be very intriguing. Stakeholders, including opposition political parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) are carefully studying the development even as they prepare to outsmart APGA in 2017.

October 30, 2016
Judiciary workers give Obiano one week ultimatum

Anambra State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has given the state government one week ultimatum to address its issues or face industrial action.

Following the meeting by the union held in Awka, The Nation gathered that tension has gripped the administration of Chief Willie Obiano.

Though the chairman of JUSUN in the state, Comrade Mark Ifezue did not confirm this, The Nation scooped that the ultimatum was scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

However, JUSUN chairman confirmed to The Nation that the union had prepared a letter for the state government, which, according to him, had been equally distributed to their members.

Before now, Obiano had announced to the public that allowance of the judiciary had been cleared 100%, adding that his administration was no longer owing judiciary workers.

But he admitted that the only thing being owed judiciary workers in the state was their arrears, which he said would be cleared before the end of December.

But the JUSUN said in a recent interview with The Nation, “The only capital vote release was made in the first quarter of 2015, which was made to get (JUSUN) suspend its strike. Aside that, no penny has been released to the judiciary High Court”.

He said a letter had been written to the state government before now, reminding it of the development and the issue of (CONJUSS).

October 28, 2016
Students, transporters to Obiano: fix road or forget second term

The second busiest road in Anambra State is in such disrepair that students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), commercial bus drivers and motorcyclists who ply it have told Governor Willie Obiano to repair it or risk losing their vote in the forthcoming governorship election.

The Ifite-Awka-Amansea Road, which had a facelift under the Peter Obi administration, has apparently been abandoned by Obiano’s government. The road links the NAU.

As a result of its disrepair, many students haved been involved in road crashes on the road. Drivers lament the toll on their buses.

The motorcycle operators otherwise known as okada, told The Nation that they no longer operate the route as it has become impassable, thereby denying them the opportunity of making money.

The Ifite-Awka-Amansea Road appears to have been abandoned by the state government of Obiano, though it had a facelift during the regime of former governor Peter Obi.

The 5km road has continued to give residents of the two communities of Ifite and Amansea sleepless nights, while businesses had equally collapsed in those areas because of the bad road.

The worst affected portions include such areas as Miracle, Chioma, God is Able, Saint John Lodge that link hotels housing thousands of students of UNIZIK.

Ifite-Awka Road is the second busiest road apart from the popular Zik Avenue in the capital city and a few poles to the state Government House.

It links the Amansea community and is the shortest route for the students, which has a population of over 40,000.

However, the dilapidated condition of the road has reduced traffic as well as increased transport fair from N50 to N150.

The deep pot holes have made it impossible for vehicles to take the route, while the drainages have equally collapsed, leading to flooding in the areas.

When The Nation visited the area, it was a pitiable site to behold, as one of the commercial bus drivers, Mr. J. C Okonkwo was seen carrying stones to fill some portions with his conductor.

One of the Unizik shuttle drivers, Okechukwu Chukwudi pleaded with the state government to come to the aid of the students and commercial bus drivers as they have no other means to survive the economic recession in the land.

He said most of the business centers and traders had packed up, as nobody was coming to patronize them as a result of the bad condition of the road.

Another driver, Chinedu Onwudiwe expressed sadness that he visits his mechanic on daily basis because of the damage the road has caused on his bus.

A student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Kingsely Tobias, lamented that drivers of the few buses that ply the route now had increased their fairs to about 100%, which according to him, had been difficult for students to cope with.

For Miss Sandra Emenike, another student of Unizik, the deplorable road is posing a serious threat to human habitation in the areas.

Mrs. Sandra Ulachi, a civil servant in the state, told The Nation that the condition of the road is hampering socio-economic activities.

When contacted, the state commissioner for works, Lawrence Chinwuba, refused to comment on the road, after the state government had lied on a local radio station that the road had been given a face lift by pouring stones on it to make it passable.

When The Nation asked him what actually was going on as it concerns the road from the state government, he told the reporter that he would call back which he never did.

The commissioner is a kinsman of the state Governor and had been known in the state as more of a talker than a doer.

He takes delight in the sufferings of the people, the reason most of the roads had been abandoned in the state and majority of the people including his party members believe he is incompetent to handle works ministry.

Speaking with The Nation in anger, a 22 year old student, who did not want his name in print vowed that students, motorcycle operators and commercial bus drivers would make it impossible for the current administration to return to power.

He said, “This present administration led by Governor Willie Obiano has failed to follow the footsteps of former governors Chris Ngige and Peter Obi.

He asked, “Is that how they want to come for a second term?”

October 21, 2016
Obiano has failed in Anambra, says APC chieftain

Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Nze Modestus Umenzekwe spoke with Nwanosike Onu on the Obiano administration and the prospects of the APC in the Southeast state.

The Buhari administration has been criticised by the opposition for not getting it right. As an APC chieftain, are you comfortable with the situation?

When you look back to the time he was the governor of Borno, his record at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) days and his military background, you know that he is destined to succeed; he is a go getter.

How does anybody think the president can resign? To handover to who, to hand over to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a fragmented party that ruled for many years without anything to show for it. We have been clamouring for a leader that would clamp down on corruption and that person has come in the person of President Mohammadu Buhari. after contesting for four times, before he got it shows his seriousness of fighting crime. to destroy is easy, but to build is always difficult. What the man is doing now is starting afresh to rebuild Nigeria.

Nigeria’s image is improving again in the international community. His policies are okay and we need to give him a chance. once he gets it right, nobody can come and scatter the economy again.

You have been in Lagos for a long time. Is Ndigbo being carried along by the governors?

Lagos state is a mini Nigeria. For the past 16 years, Lagos has been in the opposition, the governments we have had in the place has done well, beginning from Tinubu, who is a trainer, a political colossus, a man that knows how to stand up in time of pressure, an achiever and a friend of Ndigbo.

He continued to fight. even, when he had problem with the federal government, he did not relent. He mobilised the South West and made sure we have this amalgamation in politics today in the name of All Progressives Congress (APC).

When he was going, he gave us Fashola. What we are talking now is no longer change, but progress.

Fashola’s humility showed when he had little problems with the Ndigbo in Lagos. he came out to beg. Look at what is happening today in Lagos from Lekki to Badagry road, among others.

Today, what he did in Lagos is what he is replicating in his three powerful ministries, from Ore to Benin, to Asaba and others.

We give kudos to Asiwaju for giving us Fashola. The opposition can say whatever it likes. there is tremendous progress in Lagos.

The foundation laid by Asiwaju was implemented by Fashola and now Ambode has continued. look at Ikorodu. Transportation is being made easy. armed robbery, kidnapping have reduced to their barest minimum.

The assistance given to Ndigbo is massive, look at the markets being built in Lagos along Orile and Mile 2 called Adem industrial and commercial complex which he was about to commission before his exit. But we believe that soonest, Ambode will come into it.

So, opposition groups are neither here nor there. Ambode will do a second term because Ndigbo will rally round him. Asiwaju gave us hope. he laid the foundation. Fashola also maintained that hope and implemented it, and now Ambode has really amplified it. Asiwaju’s mother, Alhaja Mogaji, was a mother to Ndigbo and we were happy with her. Her demise was a very big loss to us and we have really seen that Asiwaju inherited her qualities of leadership. We will continue to thank Tinubu for giving us Fashola and Ambode.

What is your assessment of the Obiano administration?

We are not satisfied with what is going on in Anambra. And that is why we are working towards the APC taking over this state in 2017.

Anambra North, Anambra Central and South are languishing in pains now because of lack of infrastructural development. Before now, Ngige came on board, opened up the door that made us to see that the state has money. All the roads he did in 2003 are still standing, especially his special work in Umuchu-Umunze road where he filled a serious gully that threatened the people, when others abandoned it.

He was to continue, only to be cut suddenly by that unfortunate Appeal Court judgment in 2006. During his time as governor, security was okay, salaries were being paid, education was the best despite his security withdrawn by the federal government then.

Now, Ngige is the minister of labour and employment, he has continued his leadership style at the federal level.

I’m narrating all these to tell the people where we started. Ngige is a brand name in Anambra state and Nigeria. And he has used that style to stabilise the APC in the state. the people are no longer laughing at the party. APC has come to liberate the people not only in Anambra but entire Nigeria.

You can take a trip to IgboUkwu, and other communities, you see death traps from Akpo junction to Ogboji unless you have caterpillar as a private vehicle you cannot pass those areas.

From Eke-Achina to Oye-Achina, vehicle cannot pass from there to Ogboji, to Orumba, it is the same scenario. It is very painful. The people are alienated from their neighbours.

The only panacea we have now is from Uga is Mkpologwu, Umuchu, but thanks to former governor Peter Obi for giving us hope. The Obiano administration is a hopeless regime. How can they continue? So they should start packing their bags and baggage because this present administration is visionless, wingless and will plung the people of Anambra into a hole.

Does the APC has what it takes to challenge APGA and PDP in 2017 next year’s governorship election in Anambra?

Unfortunately, one of the prominent Buhari people in Anambra state, Owelle Chukwma Azikiwe, is no more. He wanted to use his position with Buhari to give Ndigbo what they wanted. A man that hated corruption. A man that taught us a lot of things. They were like twin brothers. Despite that, we still have quality people in the APC to redeem the state. I’m not saying that Ngige will contest, but we know he is here to guide the party. to God be the glory. The APC parades an array of political egg heads that can lead Anambra and the country to the promised land.

We are going to give Anambra state dependable and reliable candidate to lead the state to a greater height because those who are interested in the governorship in 2017 are men of integrity.

Some Nigerians are still complaining about the composition of the Federal Executive Council. what is your reaction on this?

Buhari has a vice president, a legal icon and (SAN) who had piloted the affairs in Lagos religiously. I believe he has a solid team to redeem the image of this country. Look at the people like Alhaji Lai Mohammed, he is not there to shout but to give you facts and figures, Fashola, Onu, Ngige, Ogbeh, among others. what Buhari has is a combination of hardworking individuals and experience. Very soon, the people of Nigeria will start to smile again, Nigeria is like a new building being constructed by new contractors who have come with solid materials. Therefore, he has a formidable team.

Can APC defeat APGA in Anambra in 2017?

Check the record of the APGA. they are going down every day. why did peter Obi exit from the party. APGA has nobody and nothing to challenge the APC and the PDP in the next election. We are going to use the Governorship election in 2017 to see how strong APGA is in Anambra State.

October 20, 2016
‘Obiano is not a failure, he has performed’

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Director, Strategic Communications to Governor Willie Obiano, Prince Oliver Okpala, denied allegations that the governor has not done anything to advance the developmental strides of the state, even as he lists some of his achievements so far.

I do not want to waste our time today on the alleged face-off between Governor Willie Obiano and former Governor Peter Obi. But let me just correct the wrong impression that Obiano has not performed and that since Obi left, Anambra State has deteriorated. That is the wrong message in the Platform presentation or at least in the interpretation so far given to whatever allusions Obi made in that gathering. I can assure you that Obiano has performed,” he said in a chat, following it up with an elaborate write-up on the performance of the governor. As he puts it: “The current economic recession in the country has begun to throw up new champions, one of which is Governor Willie Obiano.

“Following his conviction that there would be likely protracted suffering as a result of the recession, Obiano recently took a radical interventional step as it affects the people of his state. In an uncommon feat, he abolished some critical levies and taxes in the state, a move that left many Nigerians dumbfounded and in awe of the exemplary and courageous leadership style of the governor.

In a special broadcast he explained that the abolishment of the levies and taxes was to cushion the effect of the economic downtown on the people. The governor considered it as his duty to alleviate the effect of the economic situation on the grassroots.

His move is no doubt a stimulus package that will ease the pain of the recession and help the state bounce back to prosperity. The truth is that the country is in a painful journey at this time in its history and all kind hearted governments and privileged individuals should find creative ways of alleviating the suffering of the people.

This is what Governor Obiano has done. The government’s intervention came in four key areas: Tax Relief Programme, Special Intervention Programmes for Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs and Large Enterprises, Social Intervention Programme for Low Income Households as well as Intervention in Infrastructure-for-Jobs.

The Tax Relief Programme was meant to evaluate existing taxes, levies and fees in the state and introduce some waivers and in some cases scrap the collection of some illegal levies imposed on the people and this would go a long way to cushion the impact of the recession on households in the state. It included the suspension of the sale of consolidated emblems, the collection of Hawkers Permit on all streets, the collection of Wheelbarrow Tax in all markets, and the imposition of unapproved levies on students in public primary and secondary schools.

According to him, his role as governor is to envisage challenges and provide solutions that will ensure a speedy comeback from difficult situations that require the might of a state government. The overwhelming feeling was that a governor has come out to show the way in an unlikely manner, because in time such as this, governments look for more ways of taking from the people, but the Obiano administration instead, chose to sacrifice for the common man.

This is not the only such people – centred intervention by the governor. Only recently; the administration donated the sum of 10 million naira as palliatives to victims of the Ose-Okwodu Market fire incident of April 2014 in the state. Presenting the money to the 97 beneficiaries at his Aguleri country home in Anambra East Local Area, Obiano said the gesture was in keeping with his promise to the people to continue programmes that will impact positively on their lives.

The government has also donated a 32-seater Toyota Coaster bus and N5million to students of the Federal College of Education (Technical), FCET, Umunze, Anambra State. This was as the governor promised to carry out palliative work on the road leading to the permanent site of the college.

One of the achievements under Governor Obiano is the massive investment inflow that the state has witnessed in the last two years, courtesy of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA. In a very short time, the agency has justified the governor’s background as an investment banker with remarkable statistics.

Obiano and his team has shown that given time and resources, they can turn Anambra State into Nigeria’s new postcard for excellence; one can only pray that the good people of the state continue to support the governor’s efforts to build a strong, dynamic, virile, industrialized, economically viable and prosperous Anambra State.

With all of these, it is believed that the people of Anambra State would no doubt continue to support the government for more dividends of democracy, especially as the governor would soon be seeking their blessings for a second term in office.

With heart full of milk and honey, Obiano has shown in practical terms that he is the people’s governor who deserves their votes for a second tenure in office.

“We are confident that the judgment of the people of Anambra State will be fair and favorable as the governor has proven to be a firm believer and a practitioner of good governance. He therefore deserves a second term re-election as the Governor of Anambra State, based on his pedigree and performance in office.”

October 9, 2016
‘Obi worked hard, spent so much to install Obiano, but…’

Former Commissioner in Anambra State during Obi’s tenure and former Special Adviser in the government of Governor Willie Obiano, Joemartins Ositadinma Uzodike, is one of the few insiders who have come out to offer the story of how his former principals fell apart. These are excerpts from his comments

It is on record that all we are witnessing in Anambra today, whether in education where the State is now the number one; in health where Obi for the first time built a teaching hospital for the State; in governance, where he built the first secretariat, among others were all as a result of his plans.

Uniquely for the first time in the history of Nigeria, he established a savings culture, which made it possible for him to save 75 Billion Naira for the state in investment, cash, local currency and foreign currency.

Due to his spirit of fairness and justice, Obi decided that the governorship should go to the North that has not governed for a day. This stance brought to him all sort of hatred, including the fight that ensued between him and Chief Victor Umeh, who had expressed the desire to take over from him, after the completion of his tenure. This led to the removal of Umeh and the legal battle that followed.

After the legal battle, which the Appeal Court decided in favour of Umeh, all those around Mr. Peter Obi, including myself, decided that it was time for him to leave APGA alone and move on. Relying on the promise to Ojukwu that he will never abandon him throughout his life and to hand over to APGA Government, Obi decided to remain in APGA and ensured it won the election. He advised us to support those contesting election under APGA- Oselloka Obaze, Chinedu Idigo, Paul Odenigbo and Chike Obidigbo. He appealed to us that any of them that emerged should be supported by all. However, after his reconciliation with Umeh, who voluntarily, but with sinister motive came to apologize to Obi and insisted that all the people contesting election should be dropped for a neutral person.

After several days of prolonged meetings and intervention of the elders, it was agreed that Obi should nominate other neutral persons. At this stage, he brought in Chief Willie Obiano and Tony Nnaecheta. Both were not members of APGA.

After retirement from Fidelity Bank and with no job, Chief Willie Obiano relocated to the USA. His ambition, which he pleaded with Obi to help him realise was to be made a Board Member of Orient Petroleum… On his arrival to Nigeria, Mr. Peter Obi brought him and Tony Nnaecheta to the party.

Eventually, as campaigns started, I was made the Director-General. So if there is anybody that knows about the campaign, it is me. I know how it was prosecuted and can affirm…

“On the day of the primaries, which everybody knew would have been won by Hon. Uche Ekwunife, it was Obi and his wife that were on their knees pleading with Uche Ekwunife to allow Obiano, who eventually emerged…

“It is clear to everybody that nobody voted for Chief Willie Obiano. Anambra people, in voting for APGA, said it clearly that they were voting for Obi’s third tenure. They hoped that anybody brought by Obi will be, like him, totally committed, humble and simple.

“During the EXCO meeting of 13th of October, 2014, he openly directed all EXCO members to severe all relationship with Obi. I went back to tell him that what he was doing was not good not just because of politics, for I mentioned it to him that with his attitude, no Nigerian would like to deal with him where trust is essential, but he replied that two kings cannot reign in the same Kingdom, that one must die or at least go on exile…

“As this was raging on, I called a few people in government to intervene. One of them reached to various groups, including Anambra Elders’ Forum, Anglican and Catholic Bishops, among others. Catholic Bishops in the state took up the gauntlet and called them to a meeting on the 25th of August, 2014.

He came to the meeting with Chief Victor Umeh. During the meeting, the Bishops asked him what they needed from Obi. They requested strongly that Obi should leave the Party for them. He came back and boasted to us how he dealt with Mr. Peter Obi and how he talked to him like a child. When I told him that they should not have made that request, he reminded me that two kings cannot reign in the same kingdom. ‘I want him to go, since if he leaves, I will become the Party Leader as well as the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, fund the party and ensure APGA wins Imo and Abia states and make in-roads into other states. This, he noted, will prepare him for the bigger task in 2019, when he would have become the most important Igbo politician.” He went as far as striking his chest saying “Ndi Igbo ga ama na abum nnukwu Nmanwu, na Akpokuedike abata go n’ogbo.”

After listening to what I consider as delusional confession, I invited a few of my colleagues to go and meet Mr. Peter Obi and find out the veracity of what Obiano said. Obi said that the meeting with the Bishops was confidential, but that since Obiano has made it public, he confirmed that they actually requested him to leave APGA for them.

I went home a sad man, but still believing that the situation would change, but it continued.”

October 9, 2016
Obiano grants amnesty to nine inmates in Anambra

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, yesterday granted amnesty to nine convicts in prison to mark the 56th anniversary of the country’s independence.

The event, which took place at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State, attracted traditional rulers, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Rita Maduagwu, among others.

Obiano said the release of the nine beneficiaries of the amnesty by his administration was with immediate effect.

Addressing the crowd, Obiano told them that it was not the time for blames for the economic situation in the land.

The governor therefore, assured the citizen’s of the state that soon the country would come out of the economic recession, adding “there is no cause for alarm.”

According to him, “Anambra State Government is doing everything possible to alleviate the sufferings of the people in this hardship.

“The government is aware of the situation and the federal government is not relenting either; I want to assure you that everything will be alright soon.”

Furthermore, he said the security situation in the land was giving everybody concerns, adding that his administration was determined in securing the lives and property of its citizenry.

Because the governor left the Ekwueme Square after his address, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. Mrs. Rita Maduagwu, took the salute of the march past by different schools in the state.

October 2, 2016
We can’t be deceived, former adviser tells Obiano

Chief Alphonsus Nwene, former Special Adviser on Local Government and Community Matters in Anambra State and a PDP chieftain has accused the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, of running a government of deceit. Nwene was reacting to a recent statewide broadcast by the governor that certain taxes and levies have been suspended in the state because of the recession rocking the nation.

According to him, the governor’s reason for the suspension of the levies is nothing but a political move to enhance his chances of re-election. He noted that the governor cannot be taken seriously because he was not categorical if he was suspending the levies and taxes for 2016 or 2017 as the current year is almost gone.

He alleged that most of the revenue contractors of the state have paid for the current year and that the governor’s claim of suspending those levies in September is nothing but an act of deceit as most of these taxes have already been collected.

He alleged that the governor’s broadcast has again exposed the insensitivity of the administration of the day as he pretended he was not aware that barrow pushers, satchet water hawkers and other poor people are being exploited by his agents until it was time to play politics with them.

He said small political maneuvering like suspending levies which has been paid cannot get the people deceived, adding that at the appropriate time, the people of the state will tell the governor with their votes that they are not deceived by cheap political moves.

October 2, 2016
Save our roads, UNIZIK students urge Obiano

Students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, popularly called UNIZIK, are bemoaning the state of access roads to the institution’s campuses in Awka and Nnewi, reports FRANKLIN ONWUBIKO from Awka.

Words cannot quantify the hardship students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, face on the deplorable Ifite-Amansea Road which connects the university to the Awka, the Anambra State capital, where many students live.

The road gets worse during the rainy season and most buses conveying students to school always break down, forcing the students to wade through muddy water.

Sadly, the state of the road is not new, as successive state governments had turned deaf ears to the plight of members of staff and students of the institution. In the past, the government placed equipment and heaped stones on the road, but it was never fixed.

Anambra State Governor Dr Willie Obiano reportedly visited the university sometime in July, during the monthly environmental sanitation and saw, first-hand, the suffering of students on the road. His promise of intervention was applauded.

Last week, there seemed to be a ray of hope with the arrival of heavy duty construction vehicles on the site.

But to the consternation of students, the vehicles only deposited heaps of stones and disappeared the next day.

Most students have taken to the social media to cry out to the government to come to their aid as the road is on the verge of being cut off by erosion.

A lecturer (name withheld) described the government’s promise as propaganda.

“I don’t understand why government should renege on words after promising to fix the road in time, after witnessing the plight of the students. The governor’s aides took to the social media to celebrate the promise and even posted pictures of the caterpillars, stating that work had begun. That is cheap blackmail and propaganda and it’s about time government stopped playing politics with issues that concern life,” he said.

A student, Ebuka Obueze, described the government as insensitive to the plight of students.

“This road has become a death trap. One practically gets stained passing through this route. It won’t cost the government a lot of money to work on this road, at least to ameliorate the sufferings of the students. How does one get to settle in class after the hurdles of getting to school through this bad road?,” Obueze asked.

A female student, Joy Okoye, whose hostel is directly in front of the worst part of the road, lamented that they are forced to stay indoors and miss classes because of the road.

“We hardly go out these days because the road is terribly bad. If not for the fact that UNIZIK students are calm, we would have long protested. If the governor truly has the students at heart, fixing the road won’t be an issue at all,” she stated.

The poor state of the road has increased transportation cost; while some drivers have stopped plying the route.

One driver, Arinze Obi, said some of his colleagues have abandoned the route pending when it is fixed.

“This is not favourable at all. This road has indirectly generated more income for the road side mechanics more than it has for us drivers. Imagine a scenario where one spends his income and even borrows to fix his vehicle on weekly basis, all because of this bad road. For those who still ply the route, they increased the fare at least to cater for the damages on their vehicles. The worst part of it is that, we still pay levies to ply the route. These levies should be utilized in fixing the road but that is not happening. Government should come to the aid of the students before the road goes so bad,” he said.

The situation at the other campus of the university located in the commercial city of Nnewi which houses the medical studies is also pitiable. The medical students have on various occasions cried out to the government and good spirited individuals for assistance.

September 29, 2016
Save our roads, UNIZIK students urge Obiano

Students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, popularly called UNIZIK, are bemoaning the state of access roads to the institution’s campuses in Awka and Nnewi, reports FRANKLIN ONWUBIKO from Awka.

Words cannot quantify the hardship students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, face on the deplorable Ifite-Amansea Road which connects the university to the Awka, the Anambra State capital, where many students live.

The road gets worse during the rainy season and most buses conveying students to school always break down, forcing the students to wade through muddy water.

Sadly, the state of the road is not new, as successive state governments had turned deaf ears to the plight of members of staff and students of the institution. In the past, the government placed equipment and heaped stones on the road, but it was never fixed.

Anambra State Governor Dr Willie Obiano reportedly visited the university sometime in July, during the monthly environmental sanitation and saw, first-hand, the suffering of students on the road. His promise of intervention was applauded.

Last week, there seemed to be a ray of hope with the arrival of heavy duty construction vehicles on the site.

But to the consternation of students, the vehicles only deposited heaps of stones and disappeared the next day.

Most students have taken to the social media to cry out to the government to come to their aid as the road is on the verge of being cut off by erosion.

A lecturer (name withheld) described the government’s promise as propaganda.

“I don’t understand why government should renege on words after promising to fix the road in time, after witnessing the plight of the students. The governor’s aides took to the social media to celebrate the promise and even posted pictures of the caterpillars, stating that work had begun. That is cheap blackmail and propaganda and it’s about time government stopped playing politics with issues that concern life,” he said.

A student, Ebuka Obueze, described the government as insensitive to the plight of students.

“This road has become a death trap. One practically gets stained passing through this route. It won’t cost the government a lot of money to work on this road, at least to ameliorate the sufferings of the students. How does one get to settle in class after the hurdles of getting to school through this bad road?,” Obueze asked.

A female student, Joy Okoye, whose hostel is directly in front of the worst part of the road, lamented that they are forced to stay indoors and miss classes because of the road.

“We hardly go out these days because the road is terribly bad. If not for the fact that UNIZIK students are calm, we would have long protested. If the governor truly has the students at heart, fixing the road won’t be an issue at all,” she stated.

The poor state of the road has increased transportation cost; while some drivers have stopped plying the route.

One driver, Arinze Obi, said some of his colleagues have abandoned the route pending when it is fixed.

“This is not favourable at all. This road has indirectly generated more income for the road side mechanics more than it has for us drivers. Imagine a scenario where one spends his income and even borrows to fix his vehicle on weekly basis, all because of this bad road. For those who still ply the route, they increased the fare at least to cater for the damages on their vehicles. The worst part of it is that, we still pay levies to ply the route. These levies should be utilized in fixing the road but that is not happening. Government should come to the aid of the students before the road goes so bad,” he said.

The situation at the other campus of the university located in the commercial city of Nnewi which houses the medical studies is also pitiable. The medical students have on various occasions cried out to the government and good spirited individuals for assistance.

September 29, 2016