Anambra guber: Consensus candidacy doubtful for PDP, says Maduka

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

A United States of America trained Medical Doctor and aspirant for the Anambra State governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Professor Godwin Maduka has expressed doubt over the possibilty of a consensus arrangement in picking the party’s candidate for the November 6 election.
Maduka, who was among the aspirants in attendance at the meeting between the PDP national leadership and other stakeholders in the Anambra governorship election held in Abuja on Monday, also gave insight into what he intends to do if given the mandate to govern the state.
Fielding questions from Journalists at the PDP headquarters after the meeting on Monday night, the aspirant equally pledged to implement his 10-point agenda for the people to the letter if he gets the party’s mandate as well as elected Governor of Anambra State.
Speaking on the feasibility of a consensus candidate by the PDP for the election, Maduka made it clear that such will be a bit difficult, pointing out that if none of the aspirants has stepped down before now, such will not be easy at this stage.
While responding to a question on the issue, the aspirant said, “On consensus, if anyone has not given up by now, I doubt if he or she is going to do so now. “Some of them will come to you and say let’s talk. They will say, you don’t need to be in politics, what are you looking for? Are you going to take the governorship title and allow me to work? I will allow you do that?
“Let me work on my ten point agenda, education, ICT (Information and Communication Technology), Agriculture, Women and Youth empowerment, Solar energy, transportation and all that.
“I don’t think consensus is possible”, he said.
Maduka expressed the optimism that being elected into office as governor, will allow him to serve his people very well and attract dividends of democracy to his people.
His words, “Being in government will allow you to be able to even solicit for help outside Nigeria. If we start that In Anambra, I believe it will go to other places in Nigeria. God knows that I am neither tribalist not a racist.
“I want to serve my people and my people are not limited to only Anambra people.
“I am going for governorship and I don’t plan to lose it because I have been praying hard to be able to change the things I don’t like. I can’t just go ahead and change my town and the rest of the people are suffering.
“I want to start a movement in Nigeria to end tribalism. I don’t want to wait until all those tribalistic people are dead”, he said.
The PDP primaries elect the party’s flag bearer for the Anambra governorship election is slated to hold this Saturday in Awka, the state capital.
Sixteen aspirants are vying for the ticket, having been cleared to go into the race.