The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the November 16 Anambra gubernatorial elections, Chief Willie Obiano, has been described as an exemplary leader and a quintessential gentleman groomed to lead the state to the Promised Land.

The Enugu-based Transparent Leadership Youth Initiatives Centre reached this conclusion following what it described as an excellent performance by Chief Obiano in the Gubernatorial Debate organised at the weekend by Silverbird Television at Emmaus House, Awka.

Assessing the six candidates that took part in the debate, Coordinator of the NGO, Dr. Godson Nwoye, told newsmen immediately afrethe intellectual slugfest: “How else can we differentiate a leader among men than what we have observed today? For a live broadcast that started at 4pm, Willie Obiano arrived 20 minutes to kick-off time at the venue before other contestants and waited, followed by the United Progressive Party (UPP), Professor Ben Akanegbu. Contrast that with the insensitivity displayed by Dr. Chris Ngige who arrived 45 minutes late, and the United Democratic Party (UDP), Mr. Godson Okoye, not to mention the duo of Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah and Chief Godwin Ezemoo who did not show up at all.”

According to Dr. Nwoye, apart from the idle politicking on display a look at the issues discussed showed that Chief Obiano had a better grasp and understanding of what needs to be done in Anambra after the current government.

Answering the question on how to generate funds outside federal allocation, Dr. Ngige had claimed that during his last spell as governor, he raised Anambra’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to N400 million but that it had since slid to N300 million as at today.

But Chief Obiano countered that argument and showed that Anambra’s current IGR stands at over N600 million, and explained how he would use what he called the Four Wheels of Development: Agriculture. Trade and Commerce, Oil and Gas and Industrialization to boost the state’s economy and create jobs.
Dr. Nwoye observed that the debate actually opened the eyes of discerning Anambrarians to the qualities of Chief Obiano. he said he was impressed with his plans for education, health, security, environment, housing and urban development, infrastructure, etc; areas where the current governor Peter Obi has done well which he would continue to stimulate economic growth across the three zones in the state.

Dr. Nwoye said that his group is committed to ensuring that the ongoing political campaign in Anambra throws up a good leader hence they came to monitor the candidates and their performances with a view to carrying out an objective assessment of the candidates.“I have no doubt that all hope is not lost for Anambra because the people will make a wise choice from the pack,” he observed.

•Photo shows Obiano.