The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), a socio-political organisation, says it has adopted Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra, as its candidate for the Nov. 18 gubernatorial election in the state.
The declared its support for Obiano in a statement jointly signed by the President and Secretary, Comrades Augustine Chukwudum and Chinedu Onyebuch respectively in Enugu on Friday.
The forum said that it decided to adopt the incumbent after scrutinising the manifestos of the major candidates in the poll during its monthly meeting.
It scored Obiano’s administration high on security, saying that prior to his assumption of office Anambra was one of the most insecure states in the country.
According to NUF, no week passed in the state then without news of high profile kidnapping.
It said: “This fear of kidnappers forced many prominent sons and daughters of the state to relocate out of the state.
“Gov. Obiano, through his pro-activeness, has not only stemmed the tide of kidnapping in the state, but also sanitised activities in the then notorious Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha.
“On education, it is evident even to Gov. Obiano’s opponents that education has recorded a giant stride under the present administration.”
The group said the present administration in the state had rebuilt the dilapidated infrastructure in the schools across the 21 local government area of the state and ensured the welfare of the teachers.
The forum said that the administration built three flyovers in Awka, the state capital, and rehabilitated roads, including the Ekwulobia-Ezinifite road, Neni-Adazi Nnukwu-Akwaeze-Igboukwu road and Aguiyi by-pass, among others.
It said the four pillars of development formulated by the governor which placed premium on oil and gas, trade and commerce and industrialisation and agriculture had helped in growing the economy.
According the group, Anambra is the fourth largest economy in the country.
“We therefore call on the good people of Anambra to ensure that Obiano is re-elected on Nov. 18,” the forum said. (NAN)