In the build-up to the 2025 Anambra governorship election, African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, John Nwosu, spoke to journalists on a range of issues. He drew a distinction between academic qualifications and practical wisdom, emphasizing that leadership demands more than just titles.
“I’m not a professor, but I have common sense,” he declared.Nwosu stressed that true leadership requires sound judgment, empathy, and the ability to connect with the everyday needs of the people.. TONY OKAFOR was there. Excerpts
What is the fate of ADC in the wake of moves to form ADA by the coalition? Does it mean ADC will no more be the platform?*
ADC has been a long-established and nationally recognized party. It has never been deregistered. It’s a party in good standing. The party has always fielded credible candidates at the national and state levels. Quite on the contrary, the ADA is an attempt to register an entirely new party. The ADA’s application, if I recall correctly, is one out of well over 100 applications still pending before INEC. ADA, will have to cross the high hurdles of registration to get to where the ADC is, presently.
What is the implication of the change of leadership in ADC? You left Labour Party for ADC when you couldn’t secure that party ticket. Now that Labour Party and ADC appear to appeal to the same set of voters don’t you think this will hamper your success in the election?*
Politics is dynamic. Leadership changes are routine, so long as it conforms with established norms. If the interest of ADC is best served by a new leadership, so be it. I did not leave LP because I could not secure the ticket. I did not want to secure a ticket illegally or support a process that was riddled with irregularities and illegalities. A party leadership that is incapable of respecting its own constitution and the rule of law, does not stand for much. The Anambra electorate are not totally ignorant: they know and can sense who the credible and honest politicians are. It is their choice and call.
Besides the proposed coalition which may or may not work, do you see the possibility of forming an alliance with some governorship candidates to be able to defeat the incumbent governor? And with several weaker parties talking about merger, what will be your reaction if other political parties approach you for merger for purposes of wrestling power from Governor Chukwuma Soludo?*
As you are aware, ADC will soon be announced as the coalition party at the national level. We are amenable to joining forces. Anambra, will be the first test case, the ground zero for ADC and the coalition partners to test their collective resolve. We will welcome those who have joined or who may wish to join the coalition under ADC. We will be willing to discuss the coalition and power sharing arrangements, if that will facilitate an end to Soludo’s bad government.
Some people had thought that ADC would join other political parties to oppose the imposition of N50M on the governorship candidates. What was the reason behind your decision to pay?*
Respect for the rule of law. We don’t like the steep and almost punitive nature of the levy, but we are bound to pay that amount if we must campaign freely. I tweeted that if I become the governor, I will change that law. As I am responding to your question, only three parties -YPP, ADC and LP – have paid the levy. Gov. Soludo and his running mate and party are yet to pay. That is shameful. That is a very poor leadership example and that is dubious.
If you were the governor of Anambra State, would you rather build an Olympic Sport Stadium than use the land allocated for the purpose to build a Fun City like the incumbent has done?*
As individuals or as a state, one must understand the vast difference between “want” and “need”. Leadership mindset and exposure determines how public policies are shaped. A stadium and fun city are both for recreational purposes. Yet, there will always be a cost-benefit consideration. If an Olympic Sport Stadium will help Anambra State to attract international sporting events, or help Nigeria bid for hosting such events, and generate revenue, then that will naturally have my sympathy.
Are you comfortable with the notion that a state shoud not borrow, how would you use external finance to unlock the potential of Anambra as a governor?
Borrowing, be it personal or official is not a bad thing. You borrow for defined and legitimate purposes. In the realm of governance, you borrow for regenerative ventures, be they short, medium or long term. Borrowing requires strict discipline. You can’t borrow for consumption or frivolous reasons. If you must borrow, you must have clearly defined ways of amortizing your loans. Loans and grants, especially pre-purposed and well structured loans for public-private partnerships are useful for unlocking the potentials of a state like Anambra. I’m not averse to loans, per se, I’m against fiscal recklessness.
What are your thoughts about the growing wave of defections by opposition parties to the All Progress Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 election?
In our culture, it is those who commit crimes or abomination or those who are ostracized that leave the comfort of their homes or community to go to foreign or alien communities to reside. I’m aware that lack of ideological commitment plays a role in defections. But the ruling APC has made it a policy to offer cover to those who have wronged their people and their states by inviting and accepting them. A majority of defectors, have legal cases to answer. Some are indicted or even convicted. In law and in our penal code, shielding an indicted person is itself a crime. It’s called obstruction of justice.
Vote buying and ballot snatching have been a bane of Nigerian elections, including Anambra. What are your plans to ensure other parties, especially the ruling party don’t take advantage of such devices to win?*
It is ridiculous and shameful that vote buying and ballot snatching happen in our elections. Electronic voting and uploading of results has somehow mitigated ballot snatching. Yet vote buying is a norm. Existing electoral laws prohibit such acts, but desperation, lack of political will and weak institutions, including the election security regime, continue to be a challenge. If every party resolve to protect their votes, no matter how small, we will make some headway. Voters education is also vital. Why collect five thousand naira in lieu of four years of bad and in our case, insecure and brutal governance. It makes no sense, but I admit that it happens.
If elected, what will you do differently from what Governor Soludo has done?*
I will work hard, be humble and carry the electorate along. Above all, as a servant leader, I will listen to all views before taking decisions. A good leader must be a good listener. No one knows it all. I’m not a professor, but I have common sense.
There is now this famous cliche that other candidates are claiming they will connect Anambra to the center, what is your position on it? ls that also your objective?
The center and the rest of the nation will be connected to Anambra. If you have a thriving secure, hospitable and enabling environment, investors, tourist and our Diasporan will come. Capital will also come. If you are the centre of excellence, people will gravitate towards you. That’s the Anambra of my dreams. That’s my objective.
How confident are you that the APC-controlled federal government will not hijack coming Anambra state governorship election using the Independent National Electoral Commission.
I’m only sure that the sun will rise tomorrow. In politics there will always be surprises and the unexpected. But knowing the enemy is half the battle. If the people vote for change, we will do our best to avoid the repeat of INEC mercantile electioneering.
What are you going to do to protect votes earned by your party in the coming Anambra state governorship election.
The votes are the people’s vote. The votes they will cast for a candidate of their choice belongs to them and must also be protected by them. But we will train our agents to secure, and transmit polling booth results electronically to us before the perpetrators get a chance to docto and mutilate the result sheets. That was what happened in Abia. That was what saved the day.
