All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the upcoming November 8 election in Anambra State, Nicholas Ukachukwu, has vowed to address what he described as a serious governance gap crippling the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka after completing a statewide ‘thank you’ tour of all 21 local government areas, Ukachukwu pledged sweeping reforms in agriculture, education, security, and local governance to return Anambra to its lost glory.
The businessman and industrialist said his administration would prioritise food sustainability through strategic investment in agriculture and agro-infrastructure. “We will partner with farm infrastructure companies and work with agricultural banks to fund and insure farms,” he said.
Describing Anambra as a historically entrepreneurial state, Ukachukwu lamented the decline in trade and manufacturing, blaming insecurity and what he called “governance without empathy.” He cited the shutdown of many businesses—including his own 12 factories—as a direct result of rising insecurity and a lack of proper government support.
He criticised the current administration for sidelining local governments and traditional institutions, promising full operational autonomy to local councils if elected. “Today, chairmen and councillors have become praise singers. Traditional rulers can’t speak up without fear of being dethroned,” he said.
Ukachukwu also expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of education in the state, saying his goal is to make the system solution-driven and relevant to real-life challenges. “Our education should be result-oriented. What we have now does not equip our youth for the future,” he said.
He further dismissed government-branded empowerment programmes as unrealistic. “One youth, two skills is a Dubai-Taiwan kind of promise—flashy but hollow,” he said, calling instead for practical policies that foster real economic opportunities.
Highlighting the enthusiasm he witnessed during his tour, Ukachukwu claimed the grassroots are eager for change. “The support is massive and organic. I didn’t have to force anyone. People came out because they are tired of suffering,” he said.
He pledged to restore infrastructure, revive commerce, and tackle insecurity to reposition Anambra as a leading commercial hub. “We used to be a magnet for buyers from across Nigeria and beyond. Today, Anambra is just a shadow of itself. I’m committed to changing that,” he said.
