By: Sir Norbert Obi

Contrary to high expectations of rapid development of Anambra when it was created in August 1991, the state’s growth was disappointingly stunted during military regimes in Nigeria. However, there was renewed hope that things would get better in the state when the country returned once again to democratic governance twenty years ago.

With the advent of the Fourth Republic, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP took the mantle of leadership and governed Anambra from 1999 to 2006. The party governed until March 17, 2006, when Mr. Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, was sworn-in as Governor of the state.

Ever since then, peace, law and order have been restored in the state. The first APGA government, under the guidance and inspiration of the supreme leader and pioneer Board of Trustees Chairman of the party, late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, performed creditably.

Mr. Obi was not disturbed at all by members of APGA. Indeed, party faithful gave him their unstinting support and cooperation. For his faithfulness in the implementation of APGA manifesto and programmes, the electorate renewed their mandate to Obi and his party in the 2009 gubernatorial poll.  

In November 2013, Anambra voters, again, voted massively for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Willie Mmaduaburochukwu Obiano, from Anambra North Senatorial District, to succeed Mr. Obi, who hails from Agulu in Anambra Central. Apart from the good governance and impressive delivery of democracy dividends by APGA governments in the state, the electorate also keyed into the party’s zoning and rotation formulae for the governorship seat of Anambra state.

Since mounting the saddle of leadership, Governor Obiano has kept faith with his covenant with Ndi Anambra. He steadfastly implemented his promise to continue, complete and commission projects inherited from his predecessor, in addition to commencing and completing new ones.

Several projects are ongoing in different parts of the state. For instance, Akpokuedike is continuing on the partnership between government and the Mission in the education and health sectors. It has also completed and commissioned the Onitsha Shopping Mall and the Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu among others. The achievements of Obiano in the past 5 years are legion.

Some of them include: first class security architecture; agricultural revolution; community choose your projects initiative; operation Light Up Anambra program and introduction of Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme. The administration equally established the Anambra State Investments Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA; Anambra Small Business Agency (ASBA); Urban Renewal as well as transformation of the state capital under the supervision of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, ACTDA, established by the Obiano administration.

Other ongoing legacy projects include the International Conference Center, Awka and Cargo Airport at Umuleri. Several quality roads and bridges have been constructed across the three senatorial districts of the state while others are still work in progress.

These achievements are rubbing off on the image of the All Progressives Grand Alliance; thus making it invincible in Anambra state. The people now regard the party as their own hence, they often refer to it as;“Nkea Bu Nke Anyi”. 

Again, due to the fact that the party genuinely believes in the golden rule, it has zoned its 2021 governorship slot to Anambra South District. This is because, by 2022, the North District would have occupied the seat through Governor Obiano for eight years after the Central District had, through Senator Chris Ngige and Mr. Peter Obi, occupied the office for eleven years from 2003 to 2014.

Indeed, APGA will be difficult to be defeated in Anambra state.

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