Candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the November 6 Anambra governorship election, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, has stated that he will not do anything without consulting academics if elected the governor of the state.
Okonkwo gave the assurance during a Town Hall Meeting with the Nnamdi Azikwe University Community on the state of Polity at the institution’s auditorium, Awka, on Wednesday.
Okonkwo said research was critical to quality leadership, alleging that the state is not on track due to negligence of those in the universities and research institutes.
He said if he becomes governor, he will give research grants to the academics and researchers to grow the system for the benefit of all.
According to him, Anambra is not growing because the leaderships sees nothing good in prioritising research through the academics.
“If I become the governor of Anambra state ,I will not do anything without consulting you. Academics are needed in driving the state economy of any country,” he said.
On the other things he would do if he becomes governor, he said he would look at rural development, peace and security, youth empowerment in the state.
According to Okonkwo, what is happening in Anambra and Nigeria did not come as emergence but came as accumulation of failure over the years.
He said if the people have what is due to them there would not have been any cause for agitation and insecurity in the state and the country.
He also said the state has not had economic growth despite having produced many billionaires whose business are scattered all the world, tracing the cause to unfriendly business environment occasioned by insecurity.
He said if he is elected as governor, in less than six months, crime rate will drop by 50 percent in Anambra.
