The Sun News On-line/politics

A United States of America-based businessman and chieftain of the All People’s Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, Chief Uchenna Okoli, has signified his intention to contest the chairmanship seat of Aguata Local Government Area.

Okoli, who said Governor Peter Obi invited Anambrarians abroad to partake in the development of the state, assured his people that the spirit of dedication to work and commitment to the development of the state, exhibited by Peter Obi would be invoked to develop Aguata Local Government if given the mandate to be chairman of the council.

Governor Obi
Governor Peter Obi is doing well in the area of governance. In two years, he has done more than what Ngige did in three years. If he continues like this and if he is allowed to go on like this, Anambra State would be a model state for other states to emulate.

You need to go to Onitsha, Awka and other parts of Anambra State. The roads are being tarred and rehabilitated.

Besides roads, schools and hospitals are now what they should be. Over 40 per cent of Anambra schools now have computer laboratories while science laboratories are being well equipped with modern facilities.
I joined APGA because of Peter Obi. He is my role model. The way he patiently fought for his electoral right endeared him to many. We knew he won the election from day one, but the mandate was stolen from him. Now that he has fought and won the mandate, there is hope that if such stealing happens again, the judiciary is there to fight for the common man to regain his stolen right.

I am seriously considering contesting chairmanship election in my Aguata Local Government, which I believe I would win. And there is that hope that when I win, nobody will steal my mandate. If anybody does, the court would return it to me.

That has motivated some of us from the United States to come home and partake in the nascent democracy. We believe strong nations are built by strong people. We can no longer allow criminals to take control of our government any more. If you want a change, you have to join hands in effecting such a change. We must always push for a change for the benefit of the coming generation.

My agenda
If I become the chairman of Aguata Local Government, I will be transparent. I will show the people that there is money in government to be spent for their benefit and welfare. I will implement Peter Obi’s agenda in my local government.

There will be good roads. There will be good schools. My workers would be paid as and when due. Our markets would be clean and would be expanded. There would be adequate security also.
There would be scholarship for the students and our healthcare deliver would be second to none. In fact, my mission is simply to touch the lives of our people positively.

Politics of money
It is a pity that Nigeria politics is not like that of the USA. Here, politics has been grossly monetized. I do tell our people that they should look forward to good governance that would elevate their living standard generally and not stipends that would not last and cannot go round.
The problem is, the more you spend to buy voters’ conscience, the more the tendency to steal in office. The best approach is to work with the best candidate who would turnout at the end of the day as good investment for the generality of the people.

Opposition
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is dead in Anambra State. With all the commotions, bribes and destruction they have caused, no reasonable person would vote for PDP in Anambra State.
APGA is the party in Anambra State and it will continue to win elections in the state for a very long time to come. With President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s institence on the rule of law, we believe Nigeria would start to witness free and fair election.

I can assure you that no matter how much money PDP would spend, they would be wasting their time. APGA would win Anambra State any day any time.

Relationship with FG
Peter Obi is a peace loving man. People love what he is doing. He has a good relationship with Mr President. And the president is also smart. He loves the rule of law. In fact, if we allow President Yar’Adua to rule for eight years, he would do a lot better than what former President Olusegun Obasanjo did while in office.

To the best of my knowledge, there is cordial relationship between Governor Obi and President Yar’Adua, that is why we are enjoying stability in Anambra State now.

LG election
It would be interesting in Aguata Local Government because that is where Andy Uba comes from. He may likely spend money and play the old PDP tricks, but he will fail at the end of the day.
The people should open their eyes and wait for them. They should also avoid politics of money. They should vote for me because I have a name to protect.

I am contesting to effect a change and make a difference. I want to leave a legacy that people will remember for the rest of my life and beyond.