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2019 Election : My Verdict
Those who know me and those who have absolute confidence in my sense of judgement would attest to the fact that I have remained consistent in my thought pattern for the past 7 years.
As a reminder, I believe that Nigeria is work in progress and my attention is always on the skewed structure of Nigeria . I am more interested in the institutional development and building system of democracy than sharing handouts to individuals.
I do not write for money but I write for the generation to come.
During the last year’s gubernatorial election in Anambra , I appealed to our dear people to vote for APGA not because of Dr Obiano or Dr Okeke but to retain the institution of igbo political heritage. Nigeria is still work in progress and as a result, the two most important offices in Nigeria are the office of the President and the office of the Governor.
My 2019 election verdict will concentrate on the individual politician not political party and for emphasis, no political party in Nigeria today is ideologically driven: they are all playing buying and selling brand of politics .
For this week, I will consider the top contenders in Anaocha – Njikoka-Dunukofia federal constituency.
 Dozie Nwankwo has the support of the institutions(like Church, Town Union Leadership, Traditional Council) within the three local government areas.Onyendozi is a good man and fine gentleman with philanthropic endowment. He has given ‘lives’ to many families and the ruling party APGA will be his strongest bargaining power. Unfortunately, Dozie Nwankwo does not seem to understand the ideals of democracy.Onyendozie remembers the electorate when the election draws near and has proven to be too busy to organise town hall meeting to engage the people that elected him on the legislative business.He is part of the political class that has watered down the power of the people in selecting their Leaders. He believes in the power of deep pocket to buy over the angry and frustrated people who are too poor to understand political analysis. But this election will go beyond sharing of money to sharing of ideas and sadly Onyendozi has no idea to share.
 Barr Dr Val Ayika is another good man with oratorical prowess and linguistics expertise. He has acquired legislative experience at the State level . His major setback is being part of a big political family – PDP where the party ticket was hotly contested and it is alleged that the ticket he is holding has not been settled legally. This is a distraction to Hon Val Ayika who needs all the concentration to convince the electorates. Again,those hired to promote Hon Ayika achievement(s) on social media could not understand the constitutional responsibility of a Legislator. It is not about borehole, paying school fees, building drainage etc .It is about strengthening the institutions of democracy and organising town hall meeting(s) to engage the people to actually know what they want. Party is a platform to win election but once election is won, the winner goes to work to represent the interest of the people not the party members. For four years that Hon Val Ayika represented his constituency, I have not seen or read where the communities were carried along on the legislative processes. We want to see debate on this.
Elijah Onyeagba of APC is among the emerging new political order. He came from the corporate world to appreciate institutional development. He connects with the young and aged and has the capacity to throw surprises in the coming election. His party may not be popular in Alaigbo but Nke bu Nke Anyi mantra will not work in the coming election. People will vote for individuals not for Party.
 Elijah Onyeagba popularly known as Igba Ka Igba has promised to set up a committee on town hall meeting to interact with the people he will be representing on a periodic basis. He has actually contracted a team to ascertain what the people want and will be going to Abuja to represent the interest of the people that elect him. It is better to go with a man with ideas than a man who has no content but believes so much in sharing money.
To me, it is about building the institutions of democracy and educating the people on their rights as citizens. If we have the records of budgetary provisions for constituency projects, then you will understand why we as a people are poor. Why all the factories in our various communities have been shut down while our political Leaders cruise about using constituency project money to build private concerns.You will understand why the youths are jobless or receiving peanuts as monthly salaries.
This analysis is my personal views on the political activities around me and I will continue to keep us posted. Share and let me have your comment.
ndubuisi
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2019: My Verdict-Ndubuisi Anaenugwu
