Yesterday the 22nd day of January, 2019 witnessed the biggest discussion in the politics of Abia State as the incumbent and hard working Governor of Abia State- Elder Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Ph.D humbly submitted himself to the jurisdiction of a certain Media Association for a debate with Governorship candidates from other political parties in Abia State. In attendance were the SDP Gubernatorial candidate- Hon Mrs Blessing Nwagba, the Acoord Party candidate- Barr Emeka Uwakolam and the APGA candidate- Dr Chioma Alex Otti.
The program, though quite interesting, was equally a great disappointment to members of the opposition parties as their respective candidates glaringly performed below their expectations. None of the candidates was able to match the high level of intelligence and wisdom displayed by the incumbent Governor, who did not only refute the allegations leveled against his Administration but succeeded in specifying, enumerating and listing the basic and tangible achievements of his Administration.
While introducing himself, the Accord Party candidate- Barr Uwakolam lamented on the need to handover the State to the real people of Abia State. According to him, successive governments in Abia have failed. Therefore, handover is necessary. He added that the essence of governance is accountability and transparency. Every Administration is expected to keep the State where it belongs. He went further in his introductory remarks to say that Abia State cannot be compared with the neighboring States in the South East in relation to infrastructural development. The reason we are backward is because we have had successive maladministrations.
Dr Chioma Alex Otti in his opening remarks acknowledged the presence of the Executive Governor of Abia State- Elder Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D. In his usual characteristic manner, Otti's first shot was that his mandate in 2015 was stolen and that he went to Court. He didn't go further to adumbrate on the outcome of that Court because he knew that the existing Supreme Court pronouncement on his claim of stolen mandate renders the said claim null and void. If at all Dr Alex Otti believes in the rule of law, will he still be crying over stolen mandate in a matter that is res judicata? That is by the way!
Otti proceeded to say that his plans are to develop Abia, to sanitize the entire State, fight hunger and the general state of the economy. According to him, for over 20 years, Abia has not started the journey of development. He asserted that as a trained Economist, he understands how the economy works than the other candidates. The APGA candidate cited one of his documentations with the caption- " EXIT RECESSION: PAY SALARIES ". He greatly emphasized that it does not make any economic sense to owe salaries. Failure to pay a man automatically takes him away from economic activities. Of course... This is a true saying. He added that non payment of salaries equally promotes unemployment.
The incumbent Governor and candidate of the greatest party in Africa ( PDP )- Elder Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D, who was more composed and confident, introduced himself as a graduate of Biochemistry in Enugu State University and that he headed a Department therein. He humorously added that the Institution where he managed and/or lectured is still in existence till date unlike one financial institution that was once managed by one of the candidates but has gone to extinct today. In his serious business, the Governor posited that his Administration is focused on 5 pillars of development and same is being followed religiously. According to him, all parts of Abia State is very important and our people are the greatest assets that we have. Aba shoe makers and other producers are celebrated both in Nigeria and in the world today because of the way they are being packaged and marketed by the present Administration. The International Trade Fare that was staged in Cairo, Egypt testifies about this government's effort in the promotion of our locally made goods. From 2015 till date, crime rate reduced to the extent that Abians stopped witnessing cases of bank robbery and other related crimes. Under education, Abia State has been leading in WAEC in the entire Federation. This Administration has constructed about 340 school buildings across the State. The Governor ended his introduction by saying that the debate is all about what his Administration has done in the past and what they intend to do in the future. The Governor confirmed that the alleged JUJU that could not allow Faulks road to be fixed end to end has disappeared. Abians can attest to the fact that one can now drive from Brass Juntion to Ariaria Junction in Aba-Portharcourt Express Way.
The SDP candidate- Hon Mrs Blessing Nwagba was the last to introduce herself. She started by rhetorically asking- why infrastructural decay, why massive unemployment? She promised Abians that she has come to eradicate poverty and creat employment. She added that they can employ other ways of generating electricity in Ariaria. While concluding her introduction, the Abia Legislator and now SDP Guber candidate unequivocally admitted and confessed to Abians that a good number of roads have been done by this present Administration. May it be well with you Daa Blessing! Idi ikota sign...
REAL BUSINESS OF THE DAY: PLANS TO GROW ABIA ECONOMY
Dr Chioma Alex Otti fired the first shot. According to him, the greatest challenge that Abia has is mismanagement of her economy. To him, the best way to improve our economy is to pay salaries of workers constantly and raise funds for industries which are platforms for employment. He estimated Abia IGR at 23% and placed Federal Allocation at 73%. This can't give us 100%. However, the point he was trying to make is that the price of oil is going down. Therefore, Abia needs to diversify her economy as against placing reliance on the purported 73% Federal Allocation. Abia has enough human resources that can be harnessed through training.
The Accord Party candidate- Barr Uwakolam also spoke on how he intends to grow Abia economy. He observed that there is enormous poverty in Abia. He alleged that monies from Abia are not being used in Abia. There isn't money in circulation. According to him, Abia is naturally endowed. Arochukwu for instance has lime stone. If what is generated in the State's IGR goes into the account of the State, things will be better. The monies gotten from Abia goes into some private pockets.
Note: The issue for determination is how to grow the economy of the State and if possible, take the State to the next level in the nearby future.
Elder Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D in his response hammered on two critical issues.
He talked about investment in Agriculture which is capable of providing food on the table and raw materials for industries. This is an area that this Administration has considered economically vibrant. The acquisition of over 4million stands of the tenera palm tree makes a whole lot of sense though some of the candidates do not have the vision to appreciate this economic strategy. This will equally creat employment for our youths.
The Governor equally projected the creation of over 700,000 jobs in the next 10 years in Abia with the commencement of the just signed Enyimba Economic City. The pact with the Federal Government automatically created the right of export and/or import free zone. What else are we looking for? The Governor also insisted that Golden Guinea is not moribund as alleged by the APGA candidate in CHANNELS Television recently. He assured of return of Golden Guinea in 6 months time.
Hon Mrs Blessing Nwagba of SDP didn't go into lengthy discussion on how she will grow Abia economy. She however asserted that to attract investors, we must improve on security in the State. According to her, this can be done through community policing. We can as well diversify by delving into agriculture.
EDUCATION PROPER
Hon Mrs Blessing Nwagba of PDP kickstarted this line of discussion by saying that her Administration will focus on building standard infrastructure that will be conducive for learning. This according to her will cut across Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions. She will equally ensure that teaching equipment are provided as well as employment of qualified teachers. She equally talked about granting of scholarships and concentration on skill acquisition programs.
The Governor, who understands the condition of the State better than the other candidates, knows the type of education that the State seriously needs. He emphasized greatly on skill based education. He quickly recalled the Education For Employment program that favored over 40,000 Abia Youths. What else are we talking about? He went further to hammer on capacity building wherein the State Government has gone into partnership with Australian Professionals in the training of our teachers.
He also recalled the construction of 340 classroom blocks across the State. Four Model Schools are already completed and situate at Obingwa, Osisioma, Umuahia and Ohafia with ICT laboratory, Library and other modern equipment. All are being powered by Solar Energy.
The APGA candidate- Dr Otti argued that education is critical. He reasoned that he will revolutionize the education sector by returning it to the missionaries and revisit the school curriculum to know exactly what they are teaching. He also reasoned that he will investigate the quality of teachers to know who they are, where they are trained and what they are trained of. That he will ensure he pays as and when due.
The Accord Party candidate- Barr Uwakolam hammered on quality education. He lamented on the need to have state Library. That our curriculum needs upgrading. According to him, the reason the children of Commissioners and other government appointees are not in public schools is because they know that public schools will not give them what they need.
QUESTIONS..
Dr Alex Otti took the Governor on his claim of reduction in crime rate. According to Otti, crime rate in Abia by 2015 was placed at 186 by data provided by National Bureau of Statistics. But in 2019, it increased to 12,000. In reaction, the Governor expressed serious doubt over the quotation supplied by Otti and his NBS data. The Governor had reported that the incessant bank robbery that Aba, Umuahia environs were experiencing prior to his emergence as Governor stopped. Inasmuch as we can't have perfect security, that the crime rate reduced. Abians can attest to this. To everyone's greatest surprise, the Accord Party candidate- Barr......quickly corroborated Governor's assertion by commending him in that debate platform that he has done well in the area of security. This is how Otti's first question was given a befitting funeral.
Again, Otti, for the first time and in the course of his second question, admitted that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Ph.D is working. How? That he went round the State and discovered that the total number of roads completed by the Governor is 59 roads which he measured at 79.38 kilometers. Well! We the members of PDP appreciate Dr Alex Otti for this great campaign that will surely propel our Governor into his second tenure. We can forget the remaining completed roads that Otti maliciously discountenanced and/or deliberately omitted and work with the 59 roads achieved in less than 4 years.
He also asked for the the location of the Model schools constructed by the present Administration and the Governor quickly supplied same. He said he cannot value the Osisioma flyover because it isn't completed. In several occasions, he compared Abia with Ebonyi, Imo and Anambra. However, the Governor guided him properly on the salary wage bill of Ebonyi vis-a-viz that of Abia. The Governor made it clear that the cost of fixing the Ebonyi flyover isn't the same with that of Abia due to the difference in the topography. Whereas the Engineers in Ebonyi can go only 4meters deep, Abia takes about 9meters deep in casting and one can imagine the cost effect.
Reacting on the issue of salaries and matters incidental thereto, the Governor himself admitted it is not good to owe workers. He reported that Ministries have been paid. ASPIMS have received theirs complete. ABSU has gone 3 successive sessions uninterrupted due to good management. The challenge is in few parastatals which are statutorily supported through subventions. According to the Governor, there is need to instill discipline in those agencies otherwise anything done by way of funding them is as good as putting money in an empty pocket.
On his own part, the Governor asked Otti what he thinks about the Diamond Bank saga vis-a-viz his capacity to govern Abia. Otti replied that he left the bank in 2014 and whatever happened thereafter is none of his business. Remember that the Governor had earlier punctured him on his assertion that his last place of employment ( ESUTH ) is still active. Ikpeazu put it to him that there is a great difference between running a private sector and running a government. Otti confirmed this in his attempt to refute this assertion.
After all the candidates prayed Abians to vote for them in the forthcoming election, the Governor of Abia State- Elder Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, in his closing remarks, committed himself into the mighty hand of God. He recalled his commitment with God and assured that he will not disappoint Him.
PERSONAL OBSERVATION....
Both SDP and Accord Party candidates addressed issues. Otti also addressed issues but digressed severally in casting of aspersions. And reading from a book instead of jotting points like the Governor is a practice incompatible with debate rules and regulations. I really felt embarrassed when I saw him doing that.
The other 3 candidates were given 3 minutes each to ask questions. They all asked the Governor questions with total of 9 minutes combined. And the Panel gave the Governor ONLY 3 minutes to answer questions asked in 9 minutes. You can imagine the injustice! They ought to have given the Governor 9 minutes or even 10 minutes to answer each of them. Dr Alex Otti asked 3 questions. That alone deserves 9 minutes let alone the other 4 questions that flew from Barr and Nwagba. Let the Organizers take note of this observation.
On the whole, I commend the Organizers especially my friend- Iroegbu Emenike for chairing the occasion. Tnx and God bless!
Amaraizu Esq Is The Former Secretary, Obingwa Local Government
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