At least four out of the record number of the about 40 aspirants presently jostling for the top spot in the 2014 Anambra governorship race have thrown in the towel for failing the integrity test.
The aspirants, according to the National Coordinator of Anambra state Forward Movement Forum, a non partisan, all-embracing pressure group based in Awka, Mr Bomby Obi-Okoye, the unnamed aspirants simply listened to the Forum’s call for all those lacking credibility to drop out.
He described the forum as a body of professionals, and political likeminds who came together to join hands in righting all observed wrongs and to move the state forward.
Obi-Okoye who spoke at a public presentation of the group at the Trig-Point Hotels, Awka yesterday stated that for sake of decency and decorum he would decline allowing the names of the aspirants to be published, refused to allow the names of the aspirants open in the media.
He blamed electoral malpractice for all developmental drawbacks in the country today. He disclosed that where electorates hardly have free choice of their leaders always throw up persons who owe them no accountability because they bought their ways through.
As a result therefore, he thanked God for the early arrival on the scene of his forum to intervene in the selection of leaders. He urged the citizens not to sit on the fence, but to take their political destiny in their hands in the choice of the next governor of Anambra state.
A lecturer, woman leader and former chairman of the State Primary Education Board in the state, Dr Rose Nwankwo called for electoral reforms down the line the nation’s democratic process. This was with a view to allow more women voice in the choice of who goes where.
She blamed the women of being part-architect of their own downfall. That many had consigned themselves to remaining the songbirds of their male counterparts, instead of standing up against them in competition. “The instead follow, sing and clap for the political rogues they know would not perform…”
She noted that increasingly the political class has allowed religious politics to kill zeal, initiative and industry in the state’s polity, pointing out that it was reason why those who bought their ways to the top turn their back on the people.
Dr Nwankwo blame some security agencies who compromise their electoral duties and some reverend Fathers of turning their Morning Mass pulpits into a campaign ground for politicians who have polluted them with dirty hot cash.
Another university don, Dr Okey Nwankwo pointed out that the masses should realize that as another opportunity to elect a governor is here, they should use their votes wisely. They should not exchange their votes with bags of rice, salt or cash no matter how irresistible.
He called for sustained development in the state to enable the electorate remain supportive.
