The Young Progressive Party senatorial flag bearer for Abia Central, and pioneer Director General of the National Directorate of Employment NDE, Chief Chuku Wachuku, says he feels sorry for Igbo politicians working against Peter Obi in the 2023 general elections.
Chief Wachuku said this while addressing journalist in his Mbawsi country home, noted that the nation-wide clamour for Obi is based on his competence and credibility which nobody could wish away.
“I feel sorry for any Igbo politician working against Obi; they have denied themselves. Nigeria is clamouring for a change and if that change comes from an Igbo man so be it. If the rest of Nigeria support him why will we work against him?
“Not only that he is competent and is able, he is the man of the moment. You can’t deny that. So, any Igbo working against him is childish. Who are you trying to please if you work against your own? You want to deny yourself to please others? I won’t do that!
”It will be difficult not to be ‘obedient’ in Igbo land! The entire South East is obedient. It will be difficult to go against the Obi factor. It will be stupid to deny who we are.
The NDE boss said, “The ruling party has driven Nigeria more into poverty. We need a new Nigeria where selflessness replaces selfishness.
”If we desire a change, we must refocus and allow the youths to take over.”
He therefore, argued that “incompetent and visionless candidates should stop hiding under Obi’s umbrella/posters” to seek vote but present their personal scorecard to convince the people.
The former NDE boss who said he had the competence to give his constituents quality representation at the upper legislative chamber frowned at the distribution of tricycles to youths as empowerment tools.
”Giving KEKE (tricycle) to people is not empowerment. Empowerment is something that creates job and adds economic value to families. It’s all about wealth creation, good and sustainable jobs, not distribution of rice and wrappers.
Chief Wachuku said, “I will sponsor Bills that will give rise to economic policies that will create wealth for the nation. I will put at least 500 people in agro-industrial clusters per local government area, and 250 people per ward. I will equally create one mega private-sector driven industry per LGA.
“Empowerment must rest on Small and Medium Enterprises and the informal sector. Some of these people canvasing for votes don’t know all these because if they do, they will not be giving youths Keke as empowerment”.
