Anambra State Is Not For Sale-NALC

By Okey Mbonu and Ingrid Megan 

 

The Nigerian-American Leadership Council (NALC) is a non-partisan association of Nigerian-born professionals and community leaders, based in the United States and in Nigeria.  NALC’s mission is to ensure the election of credible and suitable candidates for political office in Nigeria; especially in the upcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Nigeria.
The coming 2013/2014 governorship election in Anambra State, Nigeria; should serve as a test-case for the Nigerian general election coming in 2015.  NALC’s mission is to ensure good governance in every state in Nigeria, and in Nigeria as whole.
Pursuant to the extensive background NALC members bring in their various professional fields, NALC will deploy all possible human and material resources, to research sources in or outside Nigeria, in vetting candidates for political office, especially in the imminent election for Governor of Anambra State.

Why the Anambra 2014 Election Matters
Anambra State bills herself as the “Light of The Nation”; however that cliché should be no idle talk; because in the annals of Nigerian or modern African history, few communities in Africa today, rival Anambra State, in the sheer number of distinguished and universally acclaimed personalities Anambra has produced in the arts, the sciences, and commerce.

Thus, we are referring to the Anambra that has produced persons of excellence such as; the world-renowned Chinua Achebe, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kenneth Dike, Nwafor Orizu, Chike Obi, Emeka Anyaoku, Alex Ekwueme, Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu; and a host of other notables, both living and dead.  This is not a state that should thrive on mediocrity.  The next Governor of Anambra must be able to carry a mantle that is worthy of this state.

The Gubernatorial Candidates
Whereas any person could meet the ordinary qualification to run for Governor of Anambra state; however, let it be clear, that mediocrity, and the flaunting of ill-gotten wealth; should not be the standard for a mandate, to run a state of such enviable pedigree.
In the rumblings leading to this election, we have heard politicians brag about how much money they make or plan to spend to win Anambra state.  We have also heard about “Governor wanna-be’s” who host parties for traditional rulers, and hand them fistfuls of cash, to take home as political mobilization.  We are not impressed by these practices.

To the people of Anambra, we say if someone freely hands you monetary gifts, take it, because he may be returning your money to you.  But on no accounts should Anambrarians sell their conscience, integrity, and their children’s future, on the altar of mediocrity, or to persons with questionable backgrounds, whose mission may be to replay their dubious activities, inside the Anambra Government House.

Setting Anambra on the Right Path
Since this is NALC’s maiden Media Release, we have vigorously commenced our research and analysis; and we will continuously enlighten Anambrarians worldwide, so that they can make the right choice in this election, instead of selling their children’s future to a bandit.
We will monitor all announced gubernatorial candidates, and rigorously research their background and reputation, to ascertain their suitability to serve as Anambra’s number one citizen.