John Chuma Nwosu, a technocrat and information technology expert is a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP). He is aspiring for the governorship ticket against the incumbent governor during next years’ election in Anambra State. In this interview, Nwosu addresses various issues about governance, security and performance rating of Governor Soludo among others.

There is the impression that you are virtually unknown in the Anambra political space. Do you think you possess the clout to not only emerge victorious in your party primary, but to unseat the incumbent governor in the election proper?

I’m perhaps, unknown to some of you. Certainly, because I’m not a noisemaker or an outsider. I’m also not a photo-op person. But I first contested for the Anambra governorship in 2013, under APGA. You can do the research. I’ve remained politically engaged since then, even if quietly so. The incumbent, Gov. Soludo will run on his very dismal performance record and unfulfilled promises. I don’t believe Ndi Anambra want to continue the prevailing condescension, suffering and insecurity in the state.

There is speculation about a close political relationship between Labour Party leader, Mr. Peter Obi, and Valentine Ozigbo. How do you plan to secure the party’s ticket in the primary election, given these circumstances?

I’m inclined to discuss issues, not personalities. H.E. Peter Obi is our National leader; so every Labour Party aspirant claims to be close to him. We are one family. But we are not in a beauty fashion or social media contest. We are fighting to salvage Anambra; so the question should be, what bona fides are you bringing to the governance table in terms of leadership, experience, consistency, diligence and loyalty and support to the party? That should be the basis for securing the party ticket.

You’ve expressed commitment to serving only one term, respecting the zoning system. Would you be willing to take an oath, if demanded by the people of Anambra, to reaffirm this commitment, possibly at Okija shrine, Haba Agulu, or even any of such in your community?

In keeping with my Catholic faith, no political office is worth my swearing to an oath at a shrine. It is impossible. I’m not that blindly ambitious. But as a person of honour, my word is my bond.

It is beginning to look like the norm for defeated candidates in party primaries to work against the winners. What can we expect from you if you lose your party’s ticket? Will you be staying to work with the winner or will you be jumping to another party?

There will be only one Labour Party candidate in 2025. I hope and pray to God it is me. If not, I will support fully, whomever the party gives the ticket. I don’t engage in rascality of any form. I’m also not into political forum shopping. It’s not my style.

What is your take on lack of an organised traditional institution in Anambra as seen in the dissolution of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council; how will you harness their benefits for the development of the state.

Before the advent of Western colonial form of government and Christianity to our lands, our traditional institutions existed and functioned very well. So, we must respect and uphold our traditional institutions for our greater good. We will promote our culture and heritage. We will also give to God, what is His and to Caesar, what is his. We will always fear God and honour the King.

Every candidate or aspirant to the governorship seat has always promised infrastructure, health, security etc. Away from the same rhetoric, what is that unique thing you are bringing into governance if you eventually become a governor?

I am bringing into governance a commitment to best practices and efficient service delivery with our Security, Health, Education, Economy, Environment, Markets and Social Welfare (SHEEEMS) governance platform. We will replicate and improve on the ANIDS governance model. Most of our leaders no longer have the fear of God. So, they make promises they don’t intend to keep and siphon public resources that are not theirs. I offer, with all humility, a different approach to governance. Look at Abia State and Enugu State. What is happening there is not Rocket Science; it is humble, diligent and transformative leadership. That is what I am offering to Anambra people. Our governance performances will always be benchmarked and measurable.

Rotation of governorship seat seems to have taken roots in Anambra State; do you not think that people won’t believe you even if you take an oath that you would do one term in office?

I believe that in Anambra, we have respected zoning. People should have faith. Belief is based on faith and trust. If I become the governor and after four years, I come out for re-election, Anambra people should reject me, regardless of how well I’m doing.

Each governor comes into office with his own articulated programmes after making people believe his predecessor didn’t do well. How will you handle the problems bedeviling Anambra State differently?

There are problems that are peculiar to Anambra; and there are challenges that pertain to Nigeria and Africa. Prioritization and efficiency are the hallmark of good governance. Therefore, those governance needs peculiar to Anambra must be accorded the highest priority. There will be less window dressing and sloganeering. We will consult broadly; and listen to advice and superior logic. We shall also walk the talk!

For about 10 years now, regional thinking among Southeast political leaders has been lacking, and that is the only way opportunities in the Southeast Development Commission, Petroleum Industry Act in the area of private sector refineries/ gas production as well as security can be unlocked. What is your take?

To be viable and sustainable, states should embark on joint ventures. It could be bilateral, trilateral or entirely zonal. Nothing stops the Southeast from returning to the effective structure of Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC), introduced by Dr. Michael Okpara in the 1960s, for optimal governance and development. We must have the political will for collaborative governance efforts and choose the optimal models. The South-South set up the BRACE Commission some years ago, and it is still operational. On record, we have the South East Development Commission, in the South-East; but it is not fully operational. We will have to return to the drawing board.

How would you intend to collaborate with other governors to evolve strategic economic collaboration for the region?

A simple example will do. A light rail between Anambra and Abia, Imo and Rivers will improve commercial haulage, and save our roads from quick deterioration. The Orient Petroluem refinery in Aguleri Otu, would have long come on stream, if it was a joint venture between Anambra, Enugu and Kogi, the three states traversed by the subterranean oilfield. Instead, we spent years fighting for unilateral oil rights. That was very shortsighted.

Considering that you will be running against an incumbent if LP gives you its ticket, do you have the financial muscle to prosecute the election?

I’m a businessman. I do my homework before embarking on any project. The question we should ask is whether the incumbent, who has not done very well in his first term, will use his personal funds for his reelection bid. The answer is a capital NO. I will deploy my personal resources; and God willing, those who seek true leadership and good governance in Anambra will also offer their support. But if your question is whether I am financially capable to run for governor; the answer is a capital YES.

In line with your stated vision of taking the wellbeing of Anambra people as your top priority if you are elected as the governor, which particular areas of socio-economic development do you wish to engage squarely which you feel that Soludo administration has failed to improve?

Government’s primary responsibility is the protection of lives and properties. So, it’s Security, Security and Security; followed by Healthcare, Education and Economy in that order and as listed in our SHEEEMS governance platform. It’s all about service delivery. Well, Soludo promised mountains and delivered molehill. We will not follow that trajectory. And we will not be disrespectful to Ndi Anambra.

Talking more about education in Anambra, there is the impression that government interventions in public schools in the state has dwindled over the years since the exit of Mr Peter Obi. What can you say about that important sector of the society?

It is most gratifying how our national leader, Mr PeterObi leads by example and by laying emphasis on qualitative education in Anambra State, even long after leaving office as the state governor in 2014. Obi has not only made personal donations to secondary and tertiary schools nationwide, but has impressed on members of the Nigeria Diaspora to invest and support education back home. A case in point, is the recent donation of 15 million naira by Mrs. Bridget Egodi Egbujiobi (nee Akaigwe) to her alma mater, St. John of God Secondary School in Awka as part of their 60th-anniversary celebration. Mr Obi who attracted the donation, travelled to Awka to deliver it personally on behalf of the donor. The Peter Obi Education Model deployed under the ANIDS governance framework has paid off; it is sustainable and has consistently placed Anambra State at the top ranks of educational achievements in Nigeria. As a disciple of Peter Obi’s Model of Education and his transformative governance style, I have made a personal commitment to underpin the educational achievements made so far in Anambra, with a robust and overarching STEM curriculum for Anambra State if by the grace of God we are elected into office.

I’ve looked at your resume but it doesn’t specify your academic qualifications. Could you clarify your educational background to alleviate concerns that you might be another Professor that Anambra people may not want again?

I did my primary education at Onitsha; and my Secondary School education at All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha. I hold a National Diploma Certificate in Computer Science from the Institute of Management and Technology, (IMT) Enugu; a Bachelors (B.Sc) degree in Economics from University of Lagos and a Chief Executive Programme Certificate (CEP-19) from the Lagos Business School, Lagos.

The Sun Nigeria