Fireworks as Ngige, Ubah battle each other at debate

By WILLY EYA

The last lap of the debates for the candidates of the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, held yesterday, with three of the five that were invited shunning the exercise.

In the debate which was organized by the Channels Television in collaboration with the League of Anambra Professionals (LAP) in Awka, only Senator Chris Ngige and Dr Ifeanyi Ubah of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (APC) respectively, participated.

The candidates who were absent include Chief Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Comrade Tony Nwoye of the Peoples Democratic Party and Godwin Ezeemo of the Progressive People Alliance (PPA).

Daily Sun which monitored the programme aired live on Channels Television reports that even though only two of the candidates participated, they made the debate worthwhile as they marshaled out contrary views on how they intend to govern Anambra State.

One of the highpoints of the debate moderated by popular screen diva, Maupe Ogun was on the issue of education where both candidates disagreed sharply.

While the APC candidate, Chris Ngige promised to give Anambra children free education up to Senior Secondary School level, the Labour Party candidate, Dr Uba argued otherwise and based his position on the fact that not all children require such privileges.

Senator Ngige insisted that every Anambra child deserved to have free education to Secondary School level but the LP candidate said that rather than make a blanket free education policy, such privileges should be targeted at indigent children who actually need it.

On security, the two candidates also approached it from different perspectives.

For Ngige, his government would overcome security challenges from the perspective of employment generation, introduction of vigilance groups and also equipping and empowerment of the regular police.

But for Ubah, he argued that even though generation of employment would be his priority, he would approach the security challenges with what he called digital solutions and modern technological and communication methods.

Ngige said: “Unemployment and poverty are the major causes of insecurity in Anambra State and it is said that prevention is better than cure. And the prevention is the provision of jobs to the unemployed graduates and establishing of skill acquisition centres for those who are not brilliant enough to go to Universities or not opportune due to financial and other constraints. And after providing those opportunities and some people still go into crimes, I will then fight them head on with all the available security apparatus”.

But for Ubah, he said: “We need to go into digital solutions to the problem of insecurity. For me, to generate employment is not a problem. I will engage all the telecom industries and others to see how we will partner the state government to develop Anambra. As a company, you cannot be making billions of naira from Anambra State and not contribute to its development. I will generate a lot of employment even in Local Governments. I have a Midas touch to make money”.

Daily Sun reports that while Ngige sees governance from the conventional method of administration, Uba believes that Anambra could be managed like a business.

Areas of weakness:

Dr Uba argued that he would leave the administration of the state for his deputy while he would be in charge of the business aspect of the state. Many viewers took that aspect with a pinch of salt because governance is all about administration and not a normal business venture.

Also, Ngige’s response to questions were usually anchored on his achievements in office as governor. Viewers wanted to hear him talk about new ideas he actually wants to bring into government and not banking on past glory.

Meanwhile, the APGA gubernatorial candidate, Chief Obiano explained his absence from the debates.

In a letter to the General Manager of the station, Mr. Kayode Akintemi, dated Friday, November 8, 2013, Chief Obiano expressed his deepest regrets for his inability to participate in the programme.

In the letter signed by the Head, Media and Communication, Willie Obiano Campaign Organisation, James Eze, the APGA flag-bearer said his absence was necessitated by the fact that he had “a pre-arranged commitment with a critical segment of Anambrarians outside of the Awka Capital Territory that will be taking place at the same time.”

Chief Obiano assured the station that he would be “available for any other engagement you might come up with before and after the election on November 16, 2013.”

It would be recalled that the APGA candidate had consistently appeared on previous TV debates since the full commencement of campaign by the 23 candidates running for the Amawbia Governor’s Lodge.

The Sun