Mr John Chuma Nwosu, is the Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the November 8 election in Anambra State. In this interview, Nwosu, who received his certificate of return at the ADC headquarters in Abuja, FCT, speaks of his chances at the polls and what Anambra State needs. Excerpts: 

In the last two years, from your understanding, would you say Nigeria is on the right course or merely moving round a circle in terms of governance and managing the economy?

The past two years have come with real challenges. While the president and his team have shown commitment through certain reforms, gaps in execution have held back the results Nigerians hoped for. With better coordination and a more aligned strategy, there’s still strong potential to move the country forward.

What is your take about the calls for political restructuring of Nigeria?

Yes, We need to restructure to stabilize and develop fully. Our present structure has made the nation dysfunctional and our federalism very weak. Power ad resource sharing remains contentious. If need be, let us formalize the seven political zones structure.  The present over-centralized power structure weakens the zones and states; clearly, most feel there is no equity.

Despite the Federal Government and Supreme Court’s ruling on fiscal autonomy of Local Government councils, it is apparent that state governors are still fiddling with council funds. Is that a problem to you?

That is correct. By fiddling with Local Government funds, the concerned state governors disobey existing Court orders and provisions of the 1999 Constitution. 

I believe certain provisions of the 1999 Constitution also provide the LGs with legislative and statutory powers similar to those of the federal and state governments. Local Government autonomy gives them the discretion to regulate their affairs. The aim is to promote rapid grassroots development.

Usually when people get into office, they are either overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges or underwhelmed by the personnel. How prepared are you to tackle the rots?

Well, there is not much difference between what I have done in the past 21 years and the governance of the people. It’s always the management of human and resources.

The only difference is that in governance, you talk about welfare, efficiency and implementation of resources. Whereas in business, I have managed man and resources for the past 21 years, what you talk about as the optimal gain is profit.

However, Anambra State is a place that I visit. Since I have a business in Anambra State, it’s a place I visit every now and then. I know the problems there.

In the past one year, I have visited every local government. So I know what their problems are. So I can never be overwhelmed. I will come in well-prepared for the job. We will hit the ground running from day one with my able, hard-working team.

What is your understanding of what Anambra State needs at this point of its historical evolution as a state?

Anambra as a state should be first amongst equals. We have the financial and human capital resources. We are an oil- producing state. Historically, Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka, the so-called ONA-axis defaults naturally to commerce, industry and enterprise. We need to leverage on these core areas. We are mindful that there are problems which are peculiar to Anambra. Therefore, those governance needs peculiar to Anambra must be accorded the highest priority. There will be less window dressing. We will consult broadly; and listen to advice and superior logic. We shall also walk the talk.