Ayodele Olalere
The Africa. Democratic Congress ADC, candidate in the Anambra November 6 gubernatorial election, Dr Akachukwu Nwankpo, has blamed past successive administration in Anambra State for wasting N6.5trillion of the state’s resources.
According to Nwankpo, poor leadership in Anambra created the gap between the government and the people, adding lack of involvement of the people in the management of public affairs of Anambra was responsible for widespread poverty and collapse of social infrastructure in spite homongous revenue earnings of the state in the past 22 years of democracy in the state.
He regretted that in spite Anambra’s industrious and blessed population, the people had allowed a few people whom they could not control to hijack the resources to buy votes, take over public places, levy taxes on them and operate with total disregard to the welfare of people.
“Over N6.5 trillion has been spent and still we have hunger, poor security, baf roads, poor healthcare, poor educational system, no water, bad economy, massive unemployment and no facility for people living with disability.
“This wickedness must stop, the executive must respect the constitution, the legislature and judiciary must have financial independence and civil service, professional autonomy,” he said.
Nwankpo who was a former President Aide to Goodluck Jonathan promised if elected governor, he would run all inclusive government by bringing the government of Anambra under the control of the people as well as conduct local government elections shortly after assuming office.
He promised to run a people oriented administration by adopting the Umunna Government Model where ever kindred would be involved in making decisions that affect them.
Describing the Ummuna (Kindred) system, he said the system would provide opportunity for goverment to be closer to the people.
According to him, Umunna raise money to care for the sick and the disabled, they shelter the homeless, feed the poor, visit the prisoners and empower the unemployed, yet the umuna has no say in our government.
“Umunna is the only institution in Anambra today where husbands, wives and children participate to elect leaders without bribery and corruption. They are the only people that hold their leaders to account and protect them with a unified voice when they are challenged.
“This is a system we must use to bring back good governance in Anambra because that is the unit that still holds the principles with which our forebears led the people.
“We will establish the Ministry of Umunna Affairs and ensure every Ummuna has a seat, voice and share in the governance and government of Anambra State,” he said.
