John Nwosu, Labour Party governorship aspirant in the upcoming Anambra November 8 poll, has maintained that the incumbent Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, will not be reelected.
In an interview with journalists in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Nwosu criticized Soludo’s security initiatives, pointing out lapses in the governor’s “fire brigade” security approach.
TONY OKAFOR, a member of The Razor News’ top management team, was present at the interview. Excerpts.
Has Governor Soludo’s new security initiative effectively silenced the opposition, leaving them with nothing left to criticize?
No. Quite the contrary. It was perhaps the concerted criticisms from the opposition that prodded him act. His initiatives came too late for those who lost their lives. We are still not certain if his security initiatives are sustainable or just a kneejerk response geared at winning electoral votes. We are already witnessing some lapses.
You are among the aspirants promising to serve just one term in office if elected. So far how do you think the people have bought into it?
I’m the first to acknowledge the trust deficit that exists in our body politics. Yet, I can only speak for myself in terms of my four years commitments. That is a promise, a commitment and an undertaking cast in stone. We must restore faith and trust in our leaders. Naturally, they are believers and doubters.
Are you not worried that the leadership crisis in LP (Nenadi Usman vs. Julius Abure) will affect the conduct of the party’s primary election for the choice of a governorship candidate in Anambra State?
I can’t deny the prevailing leadership challenges. Yet they are not insurmountable. There are ongoing efforts to resolve the challenges at the national level. At the State Level, our party is stable and the State Exco under the leadership under Chairman Ugochukwu Emeh is doing the needful ahead of the primaries.
Are you confident that APC-led federal government will allow the election to be free and fair, and, not hijack the outcome in favour of the party?
Hope is an essential commodity. I don’t speak for the APC, but I believe the people of Anambra State will get the government they deserve if they turn out boldly to vote for such a government. Conventionally, I do not foresee the APC featuring in that Anambra governance spectrum. We are not aspiring to be a one-party nation.
You are contesting with your fellow Nnewi kinsman for the party ticket. Don’t you think it may affect your chances? Is there the possibility of gentleman understanding of one stepping down for the other before the primaries?
Democracy is about pluralism and equal opportunity for all. Anyone who is prima facie qualified to run should run. The primaries remain a vetting process. It would be ideal to have a gentleman, agreement. But where that is not possible, the only option is to go to the field and allow the people to decide. After all, it is the people who will give the ultimate electoral mandate.
What is your opinion on possible coalition among the opposition as the incumbent still stands a greater chance (at least on paper) to win the poll?
A coalition of the willing is possible in 2025. In fact, talks about such a coalition are ongoing. The common dominator is the collective will to bring the disastrous Soludo Administration to an end. Anambra’s interest supersedes any personal interests or ambitions. If it will take a coalition of Like Minds to get rid of Soludo and his cabal, so be it. I’m ready to be part of that coalition. We must all get involved in rescuing Anambra.
There’s a general perception that Gov. Soludo has done well in infrastructure, and other social agenda, the issue of insecurity he has also tackled headlong. What difference do you think you will make if elected?
Soludo has indeed done well in the ruse of repainting existing infrastructure built by his predecessors and the federal government. There is an inherent element of deceit and mischief in that process. He takes us for fools. Those new infrastructure he has supposedly built, are hardly commensurate to the revenue the state has garnered in three years. Also, focusing on infrastructure at the expense of peace, security and quality of life is counterproductive.
Do you have the war chest to withstand both the incumbent and other strong contenders in the forthcoming election if you are given the mandate, knowing pretty well that money has much impact in our democratic process of producing leaders?
I do. And I am emphatic about that. While it may be the fad, I consider it uncivilized to publicly talk about money and wealth in public.
Mr Peter Obi remains the face of your party and its national leader. We hear he is more favourably disposed to an aspirant different from you. What is your relationship with him?
His Excellency Mr Peter Obi is a leader and a father. He should not be expected to take sides among his children and close political associates. That he is “favourably disposed” towards one aspirant is pure fiction. Such speculations in our politics are, however, routine and understandable. Often, they are also planted campaign ploys. Our relationship is correct, very cordial and mutually respectful.
Will you support another LP candidate if you do not secure the ticket of the party?
There will only be one LP candidate after the 5th April, 2025 Labour Party primaries. If it’s me, I will expect my fellow aspirants to rally around and support me. If it is someone else, I will also do the same. Committing to that support is in the best and long term interest of the party.
