Why I want to be Anambra governor – Ifemeludike

From Obinna Odogwu, Awka

The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) for the November 8 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Chioma Ifemeludike, has given reasons why she wants to take Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s job.

Ifemeludike in this interview with Daily Sun, said that she is not impressed with Governor Soludo’s performance in the last four years and reeled out her plans for the state. Excerpts.

Why do you want to be governor of Anambra State?

I think this time we need to have a decisive leader that has the best plan for Anambra because when you look at our society socially, you will find out that this is not where we should be. When you look at our environment, you look at our GDP; economically we are not meeting up with states like Enugu, Lagos and when you talk about Lagos also, there are things you find in Lagos and Anambra which are trade and commerce. So, if we have this trading potential, then we should be meeting up to some expectation. But you find out that despite the level of trading and commerce in Anambra State, it seems like all that potential is not being harnessed enough to grow the state in terms of revenue collection and making sure that the revenues collected is put back in the state; and growing the state to attract investors. So, I think at this time when leadership has failed, the best of us need to come out and join the race; need to come out and change the status quo and revamp the system.

And also in the area of education, you find almost five million children in Anambra State out of school which has not been in the last 10 years. You find more children out of school than in the last 10 years in Anambra State. If you look at the dangers of this, you will find out that most of these children who’re not able to go to school will become a menace to society. And also in terms of schools, how many new schools are built? And for the old ones, how many of them are being renovated to meet some level of international standard or to some standard that is generally acceptable to ensure quality education to these young people. So, when you go to our communities, you will find that the kind of schools you meet, the standard is so low. There are no teachers, the teachers who are there are not even passionate about the students; they are only there to take home salaries. So, I am stepping in to revamp the educational sector. Also, the healthcare sector is another sector that is in a state of emergency. We need more hospitals, more health practitioners. We need our hospitals to be equipped. So, generally, governance in Anambra State as we have it today is not where it should be. In the area of security, you would agree with me that Ndi Anambra are not safe. And that if the government fails to protect human lives and property, then that government has to go for some other government that has what it takes and then also has the interest of the people because sometimes, a government may have what it takes but they don’t have the interest. And when I say interest here I mean the passion. We need to introduce some level of technology to be able to secure our people. And we need decisive leaders; leaders who can stand their ground and not politicise the safety of their people. These and many more are the reasons why I am stepping into the political ring.

You are saying that the current governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has failed the state?

Absolutely. I have said it so many times; even through my social media platforms that the government, from the inception, I don’t think that they had a plan even with their manifesto; I don’t think that they were ready to govern Anambra because most of the things they promised, they have not been able to fulfil them. The governor promised to give us Dubai-Taiwan Anambra State, make many Anambra youths millionaires, and he promised to build factories in the last four years. What has that come to be? Are we seeing the Dubai-Taiwan Anambra State that we asked for? So, what we see is just a surface work; a surface work that you could say that they’re just scratching the surface for it to look like they know what they’re doing. But in the real sense they don’t really know what they’re doing.

You don’t need to be told the level of poverty and hardship our people are going through because economically their lives have not been affected. So, when you talk about how much a leader has changed the lives of the people, it needs to show in their everyday lives. How much human development do you see in Anambra State today? Our people are suffering. Our children are not in school. That should be enough reason to pass a vote of no confidence. It is not actually about writing Solution, Solution, Solution’. Are we actually seeing the solution? Are we seeing it reflect in the lives of our women, our youths, the elders, the disabled? These are the core branches of society. For the road constructions, are we making room for the disabled people to be able to access these facilities or are we just building? The road networks, are they helping the pedestrians, the commuters or is it just for people who can drive; people who have vehicles to go on these highways? Are we creating an environment to meet up with the international standard; enough to attract foreign investors? These are the core questions that I have really looked at in the state in the last four years and I can tell you categorically that this government has not done the due diligence.

Can the AAC be able to take you to the Government House considering that APGA, APC, and some other more popular political parties have the structure to win elections? How do you intend to win?

By speaking truth to the conscience of the people. The people need to wake up and that is why our campaign slogan is ‘Anambra teta n’ula.’ The structure that we have in Anambra State is a criminal structure where people are entitled; that because this party has been here, we have to get into the system, use the structure and just get into power and nobody cares to ask does this person have what it takes to lead. Through this structure we have allowed men and women that lack character and integrity, all in the name of structure. Where has it gotten us? Look at our environment, it shows; it can tell that our people have not been impacted. They are not enjoying good leadership as they should.

This governorship election is just about three months from today. How ready are you?

There is a percentage of the people who are tired of this government but they don’t know where to channel their frustration. They are only looking out for a leader who has what it takes. And I am saying to them today, if they can listen and see that I am the only person who can guarantee to take out this government and give them the leadership that would eventually give them better lives and create a serene environment.

So, I am not intimidated by the so-called established structure in Anambra State and the people who are nurturing it. In the next three months you’re going to see a mammoth support; an increased support tilting towards our direction, the African Action Congress, and we are not going to lose sight of it or take it for granted.

And every support we get, we are going to utilise it and make sure we use it to dismantle this fraudulent system that has been in place. So, in three months anything can happen.

What are your biggest fears about this election?

Some weeks ago I was nurturing some fears. First was about my safety because this battle is like a David and Goliath situation because like you have asked, my party seems not to be as popular as the incumbent. And it was a bit of worry to me knowing that I will have to throw myself in fire.

But I have come to realise; I saw a quote today and it was saying or it meant that what you fear owns you but what you challenge you defeat. At this point I have no fears. One of our slogans says courage for challenge. I don’t have any fear. In fact, every day my courage grows even stronger.

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