Aninri, since it’s creation from Old Awgu Local Government Council in 1996 by the then former military Gen. Sani Agbacha is 28 years today. As the essence of local government creation Nigeria is to bring government closer to the grassroot and make people feel the dividend of democracy, that purpose is far from being realized in Aninri Local Government for over 26 years of its existence.
Aninri has produced about eight prominent substantive council chairmen for the past 26 years and yet it’s in tatters. The crop of politicians from 1996 till date in Aninri over the years have ruined her. From Oduma to Newne, Okpanku to Mpu and Ndeabo, the story remains the same. There is no developmental footprint of local government leadership felt in these towns.
Hon. Celestine Chukwu (Onwa) Labour Party chairmanship Candidate.
These leadership deficits have been attributed to a number of causes. One of such causes is godfatherism. The term godfatherism is used primarily in Nigeria to refer to wealthy and powerful figures who exert political influence behind the scenes while often remaining out of the limelight.
A classic ‘godfather’ will have earned their money through government contracts or access to the country’s oil wealth and will have used their largesse to establish a network through which they can influence political developments. It’s an atmosphere where successive leaders are appointed by those who constitute themselves as cabals finance, campaign, rig elections and or install their lackeys either as a reward for political loyalty or to partake in the sharing of government allocations.
From 1999 till date, Aninri Local Government has received over 1.5 trillion naira in federal allocations yet there is too little or absolutely nothing to show for it. Schools are in delapedated state. No electricity, no health center, no libraries, no agricultural support programmes.
Lack of political will is another factor contributing to this state of affairs in Aninri Local Government. One of the essential qualities of a good politician is possession of political will to execute what they campaign with (manifesto). Those who have assumed chairmanship in Aninri were there through a godfather factor and therefore, lacked the balls to break free from their godfathers in order to bring succor to the masses.
In the same vein, another factor contributing to this anomaly is political party. Since 1999 up to this moment, we have been voting for People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP has been at the helm of affairs both in the state and local government areas including Aninri and there is no trace of any people oriented project. Outside the hopeless and helpless situation they created, they still have that sense of entitlement. This time, it’s a different ball game.
There lies the solution to these years of neglect and political abandonment. Labour Party is that Messiah we have been waiting for. The Labour Party came to limelight and gained general acceptance as the third force during the 2023 general elections, and has proven to have the capacity and right leadership mindset to set Nigeria and Aninri in particular on the path of progress. Labour Party is the panacea to decades of misgovernance in Aninri local council.
It’s a party of the downtrodden. A party for papa, mama and pikin. A party that puts human beings first unlike others that prioritize umbrella, broom, plastic, etc. Abia State is a case in point where Labour Party has shown leadership and correcting the infrastructural deficit that has enveloped the state for the past 24 years.
Like Donald J. Trump, Celestine Chukwu (Onwa) is an accomplished business man who is content with what he has achieved and has offered himself as a servant leader to bring about the change we have been yearning for in Aninri Local Council. He is a philanthropist of national repute who has contributed immensely to his community. He has held different leadership positions which prepared him for the task ahead. He doesn’t believe in nor does he have a godfather and is ready to hit the ground running from the first day in office.
All thanks to President Bola A. Tinubu for signing into law the bill for local government autonomy, which has already removed the clog that stands in the wheel of progress. Celestine Chukwu has the intellectual ability, competence and the capacity to deliver. Americans and the entire world enjoyed the Trump’s presidency.
While Americans witnessed massive increase in personal income, reduction in taxes, energy and production incentives, the entire world experienced peace unlike what is happening in the world today. Celestine Chukwu together with his competent Vice, Mmirioma has accepted to salvage Aninri from the hands of political vampires and scavengers whose only purpose of capturing power is to divert our resources instead of using it work for the common man.
Hon. Njoku Sunday Labour Party Vice Chairmanship candidate.
Aninri must be great again with Labour Party at the helm. This greatness can be attained when political godfathers, hawks and hyenas are displaced and the right people enthroned. Papa, mama and pikin, it will be a great disservice to ourselves should we fail to deliver Labour Party to make Aninri Great Again! Sitting on the fence or voting a wrong candidate is a self-destructive action.
The current economic bondage we find ourselves today is man-made. It’s a direct consequence of missapplying our voting power and they brought nothing except misery, insecurity and high cost of living. It’s Labour O’clock to bring economic prosperity, massive infrastructure and people friendly oriented leadership.
Ifeanyi is a concerned Aninri citizen and can be reached at rc8855404@gmail.com
