By Ovat Abeng
The Action Alliance (AA) candidate for the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, Ozo Japhet Ezechukwu Nweke, has said that the state urgently requires a comprehensive overhaul in its leadership and governance structures to align with current global realities.
Nweke who disclosed this in a statement in Awka on Wednesday, lamented the failure of the incumbent administration to reposition Anambra for 21st-century governance.
According to him, the state has remained stuck in outdated systems and approaches that no longer serve the people.
“The governance system in Anambra needs to be restructured to meet the demands of modern times. What we currently have is a government that is out of touch with global trends and technological advancement. You cannot use obsolete structures to achieve modern development goals,” he stated.
Nweke stated that his candidacy represents a departure from the status quo, offering new strategies and innovative methods aimed at delivering tangible results for the people of Anambra.
“We are presenting ourselves to the people of Anambra with a fresh, practical, and strategic roadmap for governance,one that puts the people at the center. We are not here to recycle old narratives or perpetuate dysfunctional systems. We are here to reset the structure entirely and raise the standard of leadership.”he stated.
He added that his passion for good governance stems from a strong belief in the state’s potential and a commitment to deliver real development across all sectors.
“Anambra deserves the best in leadership,governance that is inclusive, responsive, and people-driven. Our administration will bridge the widening gap between the government and the governed. We will make the people the core of policy-making and implementation, not an afterthought,” he said.
Nweke further criticized the current administration for what he described as a lack of innovation and strategic planning, noting that he has developed a detailed and implementable plan to reposition the state in line with global trends.
“We have a clear, actionable plan that we will unveil soon,one that will elevate Anambra into the league of globally competitive sub-national economies. This is not just rhetoric, it is a commitment backed by vision, capacity, and competence,” he added.
Addressing the contentious issue of zoning in Anambra politics, Nweke dismissed it as a party-specific arrangement that lacks legal or constitutional backing.
He argued that the zoning formula, as practiced in the state, undermines merit and excellence.
“Zoning in Anambra is not constitutional. It is a political arrangement introduced by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and even at that, it has never been a universally agreed system. My party, the Action Alliance, has never subscribed to that arrangement, and we reject it entirely.”he added.
He further argued that the zoning arrangement has historically produced suboptimal leadership by prioritizing rotation over competence.
“This so-called zoning system only serves to enthrone mediocrity. It limits the choices available to the electorate and deprives the state of the best possible leadership, especially when the most competent candidate comes from a zone that is not ‘due.’ That’s a disservice to our people.”he said.
Nweke stressed that the political consciousness of Anambra’s electorate has evolved, with citizens now more focused on results than where a candidate comes from.
“People in Anambra are no longer interested in zoning. They are interested in who can deliver: who can fix the roads, improve the healthcare system, overhaul the education sector, and build an economy that supports jobs and small businesses. That is what matters to them,not whose turn it is.” he noted.
He reiterated that the Action Alliance is in the race to win, not to conform to outdated political arrangements.
“Anambra needs governance of inclusivity and not allienation.
“We believe in the competence of our team and the strength of our ideas. Zoning has not worked in the past and will not work now. It’s time to move beyond it and focus on leadership that delivers results,” Nweke concluded.
