Obiano urged to redirect energy on restoration of security

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has been asked to re-direct his energy in combating crime and criminality in the state as he did when he newly assumed power in the state in 2014, now that the governorship election was over.

The chairman of Ogbaru Plastic Dealers Association, (OPDA), Mr. Henry Ahpotue, who stated this in an interview with The Anambra Times in his office, said the security situation in the state has been relaxed and deteriorated in the last few months especially after the election which many believe was because of distraction from the governorship election.

He said there was no doubt that the governor was preoccupied with how he would be re- elected in the November 18, 2017 poll and therefore could not concentrate on the security of the state, which was his star programme for the people of the state.

The market leader said it has become imperative for the Governor to rise to the occasion now the yuletide was fast approaching, lamenting that hoodlums have developed confidence and sometimes moved into people’s shops and houses to rob.

They, he said, sometimes operate with motor bikes, snatching people of their bags, money and other valuables.

Akpotue said now that the Governor has won the election, he with the security agencies should turn the heat on these hoodlums, especially in this yuletide period.

“He needs to improve on the security on the ground in the state now. In Fegge and other parts of Onitsha, they now break into stalls. Upper Iweka is no go area now. He should bring back the system he used when he started his first term.

The chairman said he was convinced that Governor Obaino would be able to fulfill the promises he made to the people of the state during the electioneering in the next four years, saying that he was confident that Obaino will torch the lives of more Anambra people this time around.

Stressing that this re-election has brought in more responsibilities to the Governor, as a lot are demanding for his attention, Akpotue expressed his readiness and that of the traders in Anambra State to fully support Governor Obiano in his determination to transform the state.

He challenged Governor Obiano to be magnanimous in victory by carrying his opponents along, saying, “the election has come and gone but we still remain Anambra State. Whether PDP or APC, Anambra remains Anambra”.

Akpotue particularly asked Governor Obiano to focus on road construction because people like what they can see and touch.

“He will do more. I want him to touch lives. He should do more than Obi and Ngige did. Roads has become indices of development. I don’t believe he would relax. This election is a lesson to him. He should do more, so that in the next four years, he can have face to talk to the people of the state,” he said.

The chairman was happy that the election was peaceful, free and fair, without any bloodshed, in an election a lot thought there would be violence.

Akpotue said: “The election went well. We are happy that the security and INEC did their work well. There was no partiality. Anambra people are known for peace and they demonstrated it”.

He predicted that the Governor will have one of the most peaceful and successful tenure devoid of any crisis because the masses of Anambra State are behind him but warned that he should not squander that enormous goodwill.