Anthony Collins Nwabunwanne, has a degree in Economics and M.Sc Development economics from Imo State University (IMSU). He hails from Oroma Etiti Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State. He is the House of Assembly candidate for Anambra West L.G.A, State Constituency on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) sequel to the party primaries result earlier released. He has been showing great animosity on the way our politicians and representatives were parading themselves at the detriment of our communities so he has to resign as a Senior Executive Assistant from Zenith Bank to enable him get actively involved in politics to salvage his people. The 32-year-old banker-turned-politician and first child of a family of seven had between 2005 and 2008 held sway as the Manager of Harritex Communications, where he did his National Youth service Corps (NYSC) programme in 2004.
At different times when he goes for his politicking in the local government communities, the masses thronged out seeking his mandate to represent them as they are already tired of the old politicians who have left us behind other local governments. Between 1999-date, there had been no meaningful representation of the people of Anambra West. They would be involved in taking from the state and stuffing their ever-leaking pockets. Always at war with the state government hence eluding us of our supposed benefits. We are glad that today someone-a youth has taken the bull by the horn. Speaking to newsmen recently, Nwabunwanne has this to say:
“Honestly, I feel highly chuffed and enchanted with the large turn-out of the people of my constituency on the day of my flag-off. I was really overwhelmed by the large number of people that came out to be part of the ceremony. Though I know that the people are on my side, I never expected such large turn-out. I think it only goes to show that the people truly want change to be effected in the constituency. It goes to show that the people have, perhaps, realized that I represent that change they have been yearning for. There is nothing I could say than to thank them for their unflinching support and equally let them know that I am offering myself to them for effective and robust representation. The presence of the likes of His Excellency, Governor Peter Obi; and his deputy, Emeka Sibeudu; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Paul Odenigbo; Senator Joy Emordi and other political stakeholders in the state gave me more courage and hope that I have support built on a solid pedestal that will make me coast home to victory in the coming polls,”
The House of Assembly hopeful emphasized the need for youths to begin to play active role in politics. For him, the youths can no longer continue to leave politics for the older generation as if the country is practicing gerontocracy, noting that the time has come for the trend to be changed. He further noted that it is the main reason he had to shelve his banking job and come into the political arena as a young man of 32.
“I left my banking job to enable me have a better opportunity to serve humanity and bring smiles to the faces of people. I do not believe in stagnation. According to Isaac Asimov, an American author and professor of Biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction, the only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change; that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer taking into account only the world as it is, but the world as it will be. I believe that the politics of today need youths, leaders with vision and mission to deliver the people from the shackles of economic retardation and fetters of backwardness that have been the aftermath of bad leadership and massive corruption in the country.
I think it is about time we the youths of this country knew that we can no longer allow some group of people who do not mean well for us continue to lord it over us and we just sit back and watch them mortgage our future. We must now be seen to be actively involved in this game of politics. That is why I think the people of my constituency should support a young man like me in this race, so that together we can change the ugly trend in this country where youths are being relegated to the background.
We must take our destiny into our hands, and the only way this can done is for us to come on board and be part of the process. I feel that youths should no longer allow themselves to be used by self-seeking politicians who will not remember them when they get into office, having used them as thugs during elections. So, I am coming into politics in full force, so that I can have a very good avenue to affect the lives of the beloved people of my constituency. I want to assure the members of my great party, APGA, that I will not disappoint them for the mandate they have given to me to fly the party’s flag in the coming election. I will certainly leave no stone unturned to ensure that this confidence reposed in me by the party is not dented in any way whatsoever"
Also recently, he has to join the likes of president Goodluck Jonathan, Babatunde Fashola,Barrack Obama of the U.S.A and Dato Najib Razak of Malaysia in communicating to people through his facebook page.
He is open to criticisms from his people and beckons on all to come out en-mass to make the forthcoming elections a real time success for true Nigerians.
“As a member of Anambra State House of Assembly, representing Anambra West State Constituency, I will work very hard to attract government presence to my constituency. The people of my constituency have not in any way enjoyed true and adequate representation all this while. I will do everything possible to create jobs for the youths in my constituency. An idle mind, they say, is the devil’s workshop. When youths are not engaged and gainfully employed, there is every tendency for them to become veritable tools for political thuggery, violence and all sorts of social vices in the society. In fact, most politicians have taken advantage of the high rate of unemployment in the country to easily recruit youths as thugs and used them to manipulate elections in their favour. It is because of unemployment that you see youths resort to taking to arms as means of survival. Though, that should ordinarily not be the case. Youths are not supposed to see crime as an alternative to the precarious unemployment situation we found ourselves in the country. But then, it is important that representatives of the people at all levels make it a point of duty to see how they can alleviate poverty and the suffering of the people by providing jobs for the youths. Being a youth myself, youth empowerment job creation for the youths is going to be my main focus. That is going to be my main agenda. I am also going to attract World Bank-assisted projects, especially on health and agriculture, to my constituency. I will equally encourage scholarship and enact laws that will bring transformation to my people. I will strive to ensure that my constituency gets its own share of government appointments in the State Executive Council. I am going to make sure that basic amenities like light, water, good roads, schools and good hospitals are made available in all places within my constituency in the interest of my people. My people deserve more than what they have gotten so far from those who have been on the seat, and that is why I am offering myself to stand for them to guarantee the desired change that we need in our area.”
Speaking about how he can thwart the established political buoyancy of opponents in the elections he said:
“As a financial consultant and an economist, I was able to do my homework well and came up with what it will take me to cover the major aspects of my campaign. But then, I need to state very clearly here that my confidence and conviction for victory in the coming election is the support of my people. You may have all the money in the world, but the question is: how have you positively impacted the lives of the people. I told you that for eight years that this man has been there, the people of my constituency have not had a voice to speak for them and defend them in the House of Assembly, and you are talking about his financial muscle. The people are asking for change and they have seen that change in me; that is why they are supporting me. They are not after money; all they want is somebody that will truly represent their interest. So, nobody can deceive them with money, because they know what they want.”
He also claimed that he joined APGA “due to the sterling leadership quality of its national chairman, Victor Umeh, and the tremendous performance of the Obi-led government of Anambra State”, and reiterated his call on all Nigerians to support the Professor Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for hitch-free voting exercise in April.
“I think Jega must be commended for his effort in trying to see that we have transparent and credible elections that will be acceptable to Nigerians and the international community. We all know that elections in this country have never been free and fair; it has always been characterised with irregularities, rigging and manipulations here and there. But I think we have seen so far that Jega is leaving no stone unturned to make a difference. President Goodluck Jonathan’s appointment of Jega showed, in the first instance, that he is determined to ensure that we have transparent polls. Jega has a clean record and pedigree that made many to hail his appointment as the head of the country’s electoral body last year. And I don’t think he is ready to dent or mar his excellent and outstanding record,” he concluded.
Now that the elections are over, what plans do the representatives have for us?
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