Former Minister of Information and Communications, Frank Nweke (jnr) has declared interest to contest the Enugu State governorship position on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.
The aspirant who declared his intention in Enugu last weekend warned that the Enugu Governoship position is not for EFCC patients.
He eiad, “I have never acquired an EFCC patient card. Almost 20 years of Public Service I have never had the privilege of acquiring an EFCC patient card.
“And for me, however deep that pocket is; however large that war chest may be it can’t be larger than the people of Enugu State.
“The war chest in Enugu State today are the suffering masses of the people; the people that live in the slums, the people with no water to drink. The people who cannot go to hospital, that is the war chest that I have.
“It is the voice of the people and the voice of God. So I come prepared with the backing of the people.
“Like I said, others may have the privilege of having an EFCC patient card, but maybe that privilege has not come . But when the time comes Ndi Enugu will ask questions of people who converted resources that should have been used to better their lives to come and induce them to renew their license for poor governance. And we will push this agenda.
“This will be issues bsaed campaign and I look forward to standing in front of the people to answer questions; to defend my records; to speak about my vision for Enugu State.”
Nweke who recently joined APGA from the Peoples Democratic Party picked the APGA Governorship Form earlier in the from the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
The former minister promised to serve with diligence, transparency and accountability.
Nweke, who is a two-time minister, noted that he was poised to contest the position, as his life’s journey had prepared him to serve Enugu State people with passion and people-oriented manner.
According to him, it was my time at the community county council during which I visited the then 209 communities in Enugu State that the seed of my passion for service was first ignited.
“I saw, first-hand, the primitive and agonising living conditions of our people and their deep yearning for the most basic needs of human existence. This state of affairs remains true even today, and the time to change it is now,” he said.
Nweke said that the state was not immune from the multi-dimensional crisis plaguing other states; but with its high youth population, the state was rather at risk of becoming an epi-centre of the gathering storm.
“We face urban fragility in our towns and cities, as systems are overwhelmed by the demand for jobs, social goods and services as well as living fundamentals such as housing, transportation, an intractable water crisis, poor electricity supply and low Internet broadband access.
“An attendant surge in crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape and domestic violence, substance abuse, cults and gang-related violence are direct consequences of the high level of unemployment, hopelessness and general breakdown of law and order,” he said.
Nweke, however, maintained that with a “clear vision, disciplined and transparent leadership and solid team”, Enugu State would be returned to the path of progress and its position as the capital of Nigeria’s former Eastern Region.
He noted that his leadership “will prioritise and invest in women, youth, children and technology as key catalysts and foundations for far-reaching sociocultural, political and economic transformation.”
Commending the efforts of the present administration in the state, he added: “There is still so much work to be done. I have, therefore, come to the decision to run for the position of Governor of Enugu State.
“My sole and abiding interest in public office is to serve, work for the wellbeing of the citizens, transform lives and leave a meaningful legacy.”
