Anambra state 2014 governorship aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr. Ekelem Ifeatu has frowned at what he saw as “the incumbent governor of Anambra state Mr. Peter Obi’s newfound reckless spending”.
Ekelem, an America-based/trained medical practitioner was reacting to the recent gale of donations that usually run into seven-digit figures, by the state government to federal establishments, in Awka yesterday during a media chat.
He noted that Gov Obi’s cash gifts of hundreds of millions of naira to the military, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and vehicular gifts to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and other institutions that equally draws their own statutory allocations from the Federal Government like any other state, was a manifestation of government of impunity.
He expressed dismay that the governor always be on spending spree to the Federal agencies when unemployment of youths accompanied by other ancillary social factors of under development were constantly starring the administration and citizens of the state in the face. He stated, “Anambra state is not the only one in the nation, our people are hungry and the level of poverty among the people is unimaginable, so how can our dear governor now takeover the responsibilities of the Federal Government when he has left his our unattended to”.
The ADC government aspirant emphasized that the Federal Allocation is meant to be spent in the state for development purposes and that collecting the money from federation account with one hand and to return same with the other hand in the name of donations to any federal institution who shared allocation alb initio is illogical most especially when there is steady decrease in life expectancy of the people due to hunger and starvation.
The governorship aspirant however accused the media practitioners most especially those operating in the state of not doing enough to deepen democracy. “When Obi’s spending spree started, I expected the journalists to cry foul but what you read is a support in the national dailies for the reckless and irresponsible spending”
The Anambra born American medical expert noted that the America democracy is strong because of her press which has the ability to say the truth without fear or favour. This he maintained is the key to the freedom of America from the dutches of cabals. He alleged that the political process in the state have been hijacked by the cabals who now call themselves stakeholders yet are not genuinely interested in the welfare of the common man on the street.
The medical doctor said he would introduce a creative leadership needed to turn things around for the better if he makes it to Awka Government House through respect for due process and the rule of law, hinged on transparency and accountability. He also hopes to tackle the issue of insecurity so as to make people live and invest in the state, real time. “Do you know how many graduates of Anambra state origin that are churned out every year and have you ever sat down to consider what happens to these ones whose brains have been developed in one discipline or the other if they find it difficult to be gainfully engaged months after graduation?”
The governorship aspirant who sees himself as a David against political Goliath in the battle for Awka seat of power said he chose ADC to prosecute his aspiration because it is one of the few political parties in the country that has no link whatsoever with corruption.
