Anambra Governorship Election 2017: Correction or Continuity? a rhetorical perspective, by Nwaneki

Welcome to the year 2017, a year of uncertainty, a year which determines the bearing and direction in which the political permutations of the state will take. A year adjudged and believed to be a year of peace.

It will also mark the second year in office for our president, a man who became president without vision. A year with a budget of about 7.2 trllion naira (only God knows how much we need to borrow in other to fund and implement the budget regardless of our already existing debt profile).

Particularly for us in Anambra state, in the south eastern part of the country, 2017 is a year to reckon with because her gubernatorial election comes up this year. An election which determines who will pilot the affairs of the state for the next four years.

Generally, the electorates in the state are poised with two major options available with their permanent voters card (PVC), PVC remains the main tool in the forthcoming election. With the PVCs, the electorates are faced with either the shackles of correcting the mistake believed to have been made in November 16th 2013 or voting for the continuity of the current APGA government led by His Excellency Chief Willie Mmaduabuchukwu Obiano.

Those clamouring for correction of already made mistake are believed to be those who are disappointed already with the performance of current governor in different sectors of governance such as road constructions, education, policy making , investment, agriculture, transport, economy, utilities and above all labour.

This group of electorates believed that the immediate past governor of the state Mr. Peter Obi eresigo anyi adaka n’ onu enwe. Some are even demanding an open apology from the governor emeritus for lying to NDI ANAMBRA at the first instance. Correction 2017 is a massive movement made up of correction masters.

Some also see the current government as squandermentary organization which cannot cut down its excesses. Some have also tagged it government of lies and deceit. Most of these correction masters have consistently lamented over certain happenings in the state which they see as abnormal, illegal, obnoxious, absurd and unwarranted. They include but not limited to the following;

• The 5million dollars ugu exportation scam.

• The 2 billion naira security votes for the governor.

• Anambra rice saga.

• Humongous cost of governance

• Aguleri-zation of appointments and employments in the state.

• The illegal First lady’s CAFÉ project and her slapping mechanism.

• Continuous and incessant drinking of champagne in the government house.

• Purchase and bidding for awards.

• Chattering of unnecessary flights.

• Inflation of contracts.

• High taxation rate and illegal collection of revenues.

• High rate of abandoning of projects.

• Failure to conduct LGA elections.

• Miss Anambra beauty pageantry saga (cucumber saga).

• Fall out with the immediate past governor.

• 75 billion nairaleft for him by his predecessor

• Rising of the states’ debt profile resulting from unnecessary loans

• Others numerous to mention.

With the events listed above, the correction masters believed that it is enough to send the current governor out of Agu Awka. Some of the electorates are already aligning with them to ensure that Willie does not return to the government house for the second term. The political big wigs and financiers have also seen reasons why Willie must go.

On the other hand, another group of electorates believe that the sitting governor has done more than enough to be re-elected for the second term. They believe that the governors input in governance are above average when compared with his colleagues in other states. They believe that those clamouring for correction are mischievous, dubious, slanderous and those who does not want the progress of the state. They have highlighted some of the major achievements of Gov. Willie as follows;

• Curbing of insecurity challenges in the state

• Construction of three gigantic flyovers situated at Aroma, Kwata and Amawbia

• Operation keep Anambra clean viz a viz ocha brigade

• Consistency in the payment of salaries at when due

• Building of shopping malls

• Operation light up Anambra state

• Complete transfer of schools back to missions

• Building of cargo airport

• Completion and commissioning of some projects initiated by his predecessor

• Others that I cannot remember.

With the points listed above, those who believe in continuity are confident that Willie is working; hence that he deserves a second term. They also see the governor doing more works when re-elected for the second term. We are at the cross road now, who has a superior argument?

CORRECTION OR CONTINUITY?

The media is ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The people are watching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ,

The stage is set!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,

The race has begun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,


Nwaneki Benedict Nonso

Nolyguy2007@gmail.com

Awka, Anambra state.