Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has directed members of his administration to face their responsibilities with greater vigour and dedication because the “election is now over”.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said that in a memo to Executive Council members, Governor Obiano, whose All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won 24 out of the 30 seats in the state House of Assembly contest last Saturday, stated: “Much as all of you were involved in the electioneering campaign and gave the House of Assembly election your best shot, this is not the time to rest on your laurels, but time to work harder for the people of our dear state who expect so much from us.
“You scored over 80%, and this is a brilliant performance in any examination. It shows the tremendous confidence Ndi Anambra repose in not just the candidates who won the election, but all of us flying the APGA flag.
“APGA has been at the helm of affairs in Anambra State since 2006, and the narrative has been radically different ever since. Consequently, APGA has become not just a political party in the state but a movement. Our people believe fervently in it.
“The way to reciprocate the people’s solidarity is for us to always bear in mind the immortal words of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, namely, that the greatest legacy a leader can give to his or her people is to etch the name in the minds and hearts of the people.
“As you know very well, the most immediate challenge before us is to become the first state to pay the new minimum wage once the appropriate bill is signed into law”.
The new national minimum wage bill will increase the state’s monthly bill by N1.4 billion.
According to Obiano, “This is quite significant for a state which receives a modest amount monthly from the federation account, and our monthly internally generated revenue of some N1.4 billion is not good enough for a state like ours which is now the fourth largest economy of all the 36 states in Nigeria plus the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja”.
Gov Obiano revealed that the government has been working on a 50-year strategic plan which will see the state become “the Hong Kong of Africa, developed, disciplined and competitive in both manufacturing and the services sector”.
He continued: “In view of the enormous task ahead of us, we should see the renewed mandate freely given to APGA at the weekend as a call to service, as an opportunity to roll up our sleeves in a way we have never done and work tirelessly.
“Partisan politics is over. Do not see people in other parties as your political opponents any more. You should rather see them as brothers and sisters who are contributing in their ways to the rapid growth of our state.
“Our policy of constructive engagement should be your way of life as regards your relationship with members of other parties at the state level and the national level.
“We will make greater economic and social progress when we deepen our political culture of inclusiveness, amity, camaraderie and solidarity which has thus far served us well.
“Our ancestors and leaders like the Great Zik of Africa bequeathed to us a legacy of politics without rancor and politics without division. We have a responsibility to continue with it and hand it over to future generations”.