Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka
The governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the November 8, 2025 Anambra election, Ozo Japhet Nweke, has pledged to make agriculture the cornerstone of his plans to transform the state’s economy.
Nweke made the promise on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
According to him, agriculture would drive food security, create jobs, and stimulate prosperity in the state.
“Agriculture and manufacturing contribute only about 20 percent to Anambra’s GDP. I’ll raise that figure to at least 40 to 50 percent by deploying modern technology, new farming systems, and a well-structured value chain,” he said.
Nweke, a security expert and real estate developer, explained that his decision to contest was borne out of his conviction that Ndi Anambra deserve inclusive governance and viable alternatives beyond the ruling party.
While commending Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s performance, he stressed that democracy thrives on choice and competition.
“I’m not saying Soludo is not doing well, but there is nothing wrong in having multiple options. We are presenting to our people new strategies and ways of achieving our common goals.
“I believe I am positioned to bring out the best in governance. Anambra needs governance of inclusivity, not alienation. We shall bridge the gap between government and citizens by making the people the centre of governance,” Nweke said.
On insecurity, the AA flagbearer vowed to reduce the menace by 80 percent within his first three months in office, linking rising crime to unemployment.
He promised to roll out massive agricultural initiatives to create jobs and keep youths productively engaged.
“When you have the greater percentage of our youths employed, crime will automatically reduce because most of what we see is crime of necessity. Habitual criminals will be confronted with a strengthened security apparatus,” he added.
Nweke also condemned vote buying, describing it as an evil that compromises both the buyer and the seller.
“If you sell your vote, you have no moral authority to question failed infrastructure. The money used to buy votes is taken from the public treasury. We must shun vote buying with all our might,” he warned.
He dismissed zoning as a political distraction without constitutional backing, insisting that it only promotes mediocrity.
“People in Anambra are not reasoning today based on zoning; they are reasoning based on who will govern them well,” he concluded.
