LP, PDP battle Obiano, accuse him of wasteful spending

By Ifeizu Joe August 23, 2015

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The Anambra State chapter of the Labour Party has condemned the withdrawal of sponsorship of pilgrims to Jerusalem by governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state.

Obiano had last week announced that the state government would no longer sponsor pilgrims to the holy land as a measure to cut down cost of governance.

But the Labour Party in a press briefing held on Saturday in Awka ,the state capital by its state chairman , Comrade Luke Ezeanokwasa and other executive members of the party ,described the governor’s pronouncement as hypocritical and misplaced.

The Party maintained that the Obiano administration was spending more on the things that were not beneficial to the people of the state.

It said pilgrimage to the holy land was key in the lives of Christians, especially in a time of moral decadence such the one at hand.

It noted that to deny the people of such privileges amounted to being insensitive to society’s needs.

It said “ the Labour Party in Anambra state noted with dismay the recent cancellation of government sponsorship of pilgrims in the state under the guise of cutting down cost of governance.

“In as much as the party welcomes the Willie Obiano’s sudden step towards reducing recurrent expenditures to the barest minimum, we have to draw the attention of the state government that this is a step forward in the wrong direction in that the state government ten months ago used whopping N600million in decorating the cities of Awka, Nnewi,and Onitsha with Christmas trees and light.

“The governor should have used the N600million used in decorating the three cities in the state with Christmas trees and light in completing many abandoned projects dotted across the state.

The party pointed out that most projects initiated by the former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi had been abandoned by the present regime.

The party also frowned at what it called increasing illegal and multiple taxes in the Obiano administration.

Meanwhile People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra state has shifted its internal crisis to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

PDP recently accused the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano of abandoning all the projects initiated by his predecessor, Chief Peter Obi in the state.

The party, after it’s state executive meeting recently in Awka, addressed by its chairman, Prince Ken Emeakayi, called on Obiano to make known all the local government allocations received in the state since he took over power.

PDP members are in leadership tussle that produced 3 state chairmen in their different factions including Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, for Chief Olisa Metuh, Prince Osy Ezenwa, for Prince Arthur Ezeh, while Ejike Oguebego is for Chief Chris Uba.

The party also alleged that the secretariat of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), being built in Awka, Anambra state was with the funds of the state and not the party’s money.
Reading the open letter to the Governor Obiano by the party yesterday by Emeakayi, the party further alleged that it had on good authority that Obiano was planning to appoint caretaker transition in local government areas of the state after the expiration of the tenures of the current chairmen and counselors.

The party, therefore, requested that Obiano should direct the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) to conduct without delay, bye – election to the office of chairman of Ihiala local government area in line with court division and the outstanding election of counselors.

According to PDP, “We humbly and respectfully demand to know the total contract sum of the overhead bridge and flyover projects embarked upon by the Governor Willie Obiano administration at Awka”
“May it please our dear Governor, Akpokuedike, to make public the source of funding of the APGA Secretariat building which is ongoing at Awka and situated on a vast strategic State Government land”
“Your Excellency is also requested to direct ANSIEC to announce the date for the next local government council elections in Anambra State which ought to take place on a record time well before the January 2016 handover date of the present Councilors and Chairmen, so as to enable political parties -to commence preparations for the campaigns and election in earnest”
“It is our sincere hope and belief that Your Excellency will find time to address the issues highlighted in this memo so as to reassure the good people of Anambra State that we have a government which ought to be accountable to the people”