The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition in Anambra State, John Chuma Nwosu, has vowed to transform the state through e-governance, restore security, and end corruption in revenue collection if elected governor in the November 8 poll.

Speaking on Arise TV, Nwosu said the administration of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has failed to meet the expectations of Anambra citizens, especially in tackling insecurity and improving infrastructure.

“As a matter of fact, in the last three and a half years, Anambra State has lost many illustrious sons and daughters to kidnappers. Communities like Ihiala and Mbosi have become unsafe, to the point that people now hold weddings and burials in cities because they can’t go home without paying ransom,” Nwosu said.

He dismissed the Soludo administration’s claims of stabilising the economy and improving infrastructure as “mere stories.”

“You can see projects on television, but I can take you round the state. Even the government house project started in 1999 was only completed recently, yet nobody knows the cost. Awka is still a glorified village. You can’t drive from Awka to Enugu in less than an hour anymore,” he said.

Nwosu, an ICT expert and former Director of ICT for the Labour Party presidential campaign, said his administration would introduce full digital governance to eliminate leakages and thuggery in the state’s revenue system.

“Anambra State is not fully computerised. I will introduce e-governance — e-security, e-health, e-tax, e-commerce, and e-transportation. I want to remove touts from the streets and let people pay their taxes with ease, as it is done in Lagos and Enugu,” he said.

“Lagos generated ₦1.26 trillion in IGR last year, Rivers ₦317 billion, Enugu ₦180 billion, but Anambra, which is seen as the commercial nerve of the southeast, ranked 17th with only ₦42.6 billion. That shows our revenue is going into private pockets.”

The ADC candidate, who built the Labour Party’s political structure in Anambra before leaving due to a court judgment that dissolved its leadership, said the ADC is now a coalition of major opposition blocs, including PDP and Labour Party members loyal to Peter Obi.

“ADC is a coalition of parties — mostly PDP and Labour — and Mr Peter Obi’s faction is part of it. My deputy, Chief Dr Ndubisi Wuobu, is a former PDP state chairman and local government chairman. So it’s a broad platform,” he explained.

Nwosu also confirmed that he has sworn an affidavit to serve only one term if elected governor.

“Four years is enough to build a solid foundation. I’ve managed an ICT company for over 31 years, and what is needed in governance is efficiency and accountability. I went to the extent of swearing an affidavit because I want the people to trust me,” he said.

“Look at Enugu and Abia States — their governors came from the private sector and are delivering results. That’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to Anambra.”

On his chances in the election, Nwosu said the people are yearning for change and that his grassroots campaign is gaining momentum.

“I believe in organic politics. We are knocking on doors and speaking directly to the people. I tell them not to sell their dignity and their four-year future for ₦20,000. Once we ensure security and protect votes, ADC will win this election,” he said.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a credible process.

“For elections to be free and fair, we must get our internal democracies right. INEC must ensure ballots are cast in secret. What fuels vote-buying is when people take pictures of their votes to show proof. That must stop,” he warned.

In his closing message, Nwosu appealed to Anambra voters to reject apathy and come out in large numbers.

“In the last election, only 10% of registered voters came out. Election is rigged through voter apathy. I’m urging our people to come out en masse and vote for ADC, so we can restore Anambra to its rightful place as the light of the nation,” he said.