Editor
Chief Barth Nwibe, an oil mogul and governorship aspirant in Anambra says youth unemployment and harsh business environment. were responsible for the growing insecurity in the state.
Nwibe, a frontline contender for the Labour Party governorship ticket said this while addressing political stakeholders of Anambra South Senatorial District extraction in Igboukwu on Sunday.
He said the Anambra economy was in steady decline with zero nightlife, constant outward migration of businesses and the shutting of diaspora communities which could no longer come home for fear of their lives and property.
“The root cause of our insecurity is unemployment, we need a government that can create opportunity, which is why I am offering myself as a viable alternative to the present government,” he said
Nwibe, Founder of Ugo Igbo Foundation and philanthropist said he would not have aspired to be governor if the current administration was doing well adding that he would complete all ongoing projects.
“Anambra cannot be a liveable homeland when our economy has collapsed, people no longer come home to spend time and celebrate because of insecurity and ecological disaster.
“I am from Igboukwu and Gov. Chukwuma Soludo is from Isuofia, the next community, if he is doing well, I will not have reason to contest but we must take a decision to rebuild our state.
*If elected, I will complete all ongoing projects and do more. I will ensure that local governments have the power to decide their priority and executive them,” he said.
Nwibe said he would prioritise energy for its importance to Industrialisation and that he would collaborate with Orient Petroleum and key businesses to activate Anambra gas resources.
He said he would remove the government’ interference in the affairs of the people by ensuring they developed their various communities and select their leaders without politicising the process.
“Even the Local Government election for selection of councilors and chairmen was hijacked, they are strangulating the communities and meddling in the selection of traditional rulers, President-General and kindred heads.
“We have Orient Petroleum that is partly owned by the Anambra Government, we can support them to drill more wells to produce gas, we have businessmen who will be willing to finance the reticulation.
“We do not need Memorandum of Understanding with a distribution company to achieve this,” he said.
Chief Gaius Ezeh, the Coordinator of Barth Nwibe for Governor Movement, said the 2025 governorship election was crucial to Anambra as it would be an opportunity to return the state to her days of glory.
Ezeh said the nation, especially the Southeast was looking towards Anambra for transformational leadership and that who occupied Anambra Government House in 2025 would be the starting point.
He commended the Anambra South Senatorial District political stakeholders for honouring the invitation and committing to support the course.
On his part, Chief Emeka Umeakuka, a Chieftain of the Labour Party described Nwibe as an accomplished private sector player and a meticulous administrator.
Umeakuka called on Labour Party faithful to consider him for the ticket as he had the capacity to fly the party’s ticket because he was the best candidate.
Nwibe had earlier met with stakeholders in Anambra Central where he assured them that he was running for a term of four years to complete the eight years of South district.
