Obaze: Why I Want to be the Governor of Anambra What is your programme of action and how is it different from those of other governorship candidates?
Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze, the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the governorship elections in Anambra State in this interaction with Peter Uzoho, speaks on the essence of governance, his programme of action for the people of Anambra and the imperati
Sir, you have come a long way since you left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the UN headquarters in New York and back to Nigeria to serve as Secretary to Anambra State Government under two administrations. Why really do you want to become governor?
In the first instance, it is my constitutional right as a sound Nigerian citizen and an indigene of our dear Anambra State to run for public office.
More importantly, I am confident that I am eminently qualified and able – in all ramifications to serve as governor of the state and perform much better than the sad experience we have had in the last three years or so.
Aside from my world- view, my service as Secretary to Anambra State Government – particularly in the administration of Mr. Peter Obi afforded me the opportunity to contribute to the welfare of my people. Outside my work in the office, I was also in the field on special assignments that took me through bushes, mud and floods to provide relief and rehabilitation to communities in distress.
In my schedules, I steadily appreciate that public service should really be directed at people, communities and organisations that need it. It should not be an elite obsession with the flamboyance of undue protocols, sirens, motorcades, wild parties and so on.
Having been chosen by our great party, the PDP, I am offering myself for service in the knowledge that I have a programme of action that would elevate the state and our people economically, socially and politically. The programme of action is statement of intent, which is also expected to have been well thought-out by the candidate and his team. There is also the issue of commitment to its implementation when you get into office. On Inauguration day – as happened for this out-going administration – we heard all kinds of “We will do this, we will do that, including a far-fetched unrealistic boast to build three independent power plants” and so on; but what we have experienced are unfulfilled promises and deception that have undermined the aspirations and progress of the people.
Like was successfully and commendably done with the MDGs by the administration of Mr. Peter Obi of which I was a part, my programme of action is encapsulated within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These basically cover all aspects of human and societal development – at the micro and macro levels including agriculture, commerce and industry, education, health, security, infrastructure, among others. These are feasible and realisable objectives.
You are reputed to have facilitated access by some Nigerian Government agencies the support from development partners. Do you propose to do same for Anambra if elected governor?
The world is increasingly assuming the character of a global village where best practices determine who makes the most progress and stays ahead of others. If I am elected governor, I will leverage on my international contacts and goodwill to attract varied international support for our programmes and projects. You will recall that during the tenure of Mr. Peter Obi, several development partners and donor agencies shoed active interest in the state’s development model – Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS), which ensured simultaneous development in all critical sectors of the economy and society.
Beyond the international arena, I will explore and pursue collaborative ventures with the federal and other state governments for the public and private sectors alike. My administration will not be restricted to the public sector, but extend to supporting the private sector to grow and develop. In the final analysis, the public and private sectors involve Anambrarians one way or the other.
The election campaigns of some candidates give the impression there is a kind of war ahead. Are you not worried that things may get nasty?
It is a shame that a few of the candidates and their parties are fighting dirty, which does no credit to our state and people at large. For me it is not a do-or-die affair even as I hope and expect to win in a free and fair election.
Of course, I am worried about the ugly trend in some quarters of trying to run me down with outright falsehoods and subterfuges that only serve to smear them further.
On the issue of security, I believe the relevant agencies are on ground to check mischief-makers and their sponsors. in the forth coming election? Do you really think you can defeat them, especially the incumbent governor?
My rivals are first and foremost indigenes of Anambra State who have been selected – rightly or wrongly – by their political parties to run for the post of governor. Of course, my assessment of them cannot be pleasing to them, but I am aware that I can perform better than them as governor of our dear state, Anambra.
As an experienced technocrat, I do not engage in any pursuit with the thought that it would fail. In the same vein, I am not in the race as a ‘Fall Guy”, in the hope of being compensated with an appointment or contract by the eventual winner.
Be that as it may, election is a process involving a combination of factors, most important of which are the people – the electorate. It is my expectation that they would see through each of the candidates – particularly the incumbent – and make an informed decision on Election Day – November 18, which interestingly, is the birth date of our revered Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.