From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
John Chuma Nwosu, a Technocrat and big player in the Information Communications Technology Sector is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) for this year’s election in Anambra State. In this interview, he speaks on a wide range of issues as party primaries inches closer.
You have picked the Labour Party’s expression of Interest and Nomination Forms. Some people are of the view that party nomination forms are too much on the high side thereby preventing sound minds without the corresponding financial capacity to get into the system. What’s your view on this?
Yes, it is official that I’ve picked the party’s Nomination and Expression of Interest forms. It is the first major step towards winning the ticket of the party on April 5 during the primary election. We are working hard to win the governorship election and the party needs a candidate that has credibility, competence and capacity to win the election and these are what I represent. To be a governor here, one has to have run a business that has a staff strength of over 200, and has been able to manage it well, not to talk of myself who has a business that has spread in and outside Nigeria. That is what is needed for us to win.
We have gone round the 326 wards and 21 LGAs in the state. We recently hired a consultancy firm, and what we are getting is that we are the most wanted for the job. Those who are criticizing the parties for collecting huge sum from aspirants for the nomination forms may not be grounded in how the system operates. Parties need this monies to function effectively even after election not to talk of logistics and all others. The Labour Party is considerate in the cost unlike other parties taking up to N50 million. Politics no doubt is capital intensive but a good candidate without the requisite financial chest can also garner goodwill and support from the people.
Has Governor Soludo’s new security initiative effectively silenced the opposition, leaving them with nothing left to criticise?
No. Quite the contrary. It was perhaps the concerted criticisms from the opposition that prodded him to 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 the 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 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 LP ticket, knowing pretty well that money has much impact in our democratic process?
I do. And I am emphatic about that. While it may be the fad, I consider it uncivilised to publicly talk about money and wealth in public.
How far have you gone in consultations across different parts of the state, among stakeholders and interest groups too? What’s the feedback so far?
We have gone far and deep in consultations, meeting people and groups from diverse backgrounds and I can tell you that the feedback and acceptance have been encouraging and heartwarming. People at the grassroots, youth bodies, women groups, party stakeholders among others. Recently, I had the honour and privilege to attend and address the first 2025 Meeting of the Associates of Peter Obi (APO), a formidable political action forum in Awka. During my brief interaction with members of the forum, I shared my vision and action plan for a secure and prosperous Anambra State. I drew their attention to the need for continuity in governance and the similarities and nexus between my SHEEEMS plan of action and Peter Obi’s ANIDS optimal governance model, which they were all very familiar with. On the most topical issue preoccupying Anambra State -insecurity- I emphasised that my short- and long-term plan includes deploying cutting-edge technology to tackle crime and insecurity. I stressed that with some forward planning, I intend to establish a security Command and Control Centre within 48 hours of assuming office as a governor, along with operational plan of installing advanced tracking devices, and deploying forensic experts. I reiterated that under my watch, there will be zero-tolerance for crime and criminality; nobody can commit crime and go free in Anambra State. I also informed the forum that we will put an end to the transactional ad hoc methods of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and instead, review the extant legislative mandate and database that would allow us to cater for the aged and indigent through transparent social safety net initiatives. I disclosed to the forum that we would commence the foundational basis for a mass transit monorail system that will connect the Onitsha-Nnewi- Awka axis with Ekwulobia, with a view to boosting commerce, development and economic expansion. I have taken this core message of our plan to many quarters and the responses have been very encouraging.
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.