As campaigns for the 2023 general elections heat up, the elections in Enugu State has become tougher than it has ever been before, as very strong contenders, from diverse political parties, for the different offices have come out to change the status quo.
These candidates are saying that never again will Enug be a one-party state, with their presence in the ring. One of such people is Micheal Onu Emmanuel, who is in the race for Nkanu East State House of Assembly.
Running under the Young Progressive Party (YPP) Micheal Onu Emmanuel from Mburubu, is a PhD Student/Candidate in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, USA with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from Liberty University, USA.
A security contractor and consultant in the United States, and an employer of Labour in Nigeria, Onu Emmanuel believes that with his wealth of experience working with notable legislators in America, he would be able achieve make very major breakthroughs if elected to represent Nkanu-East.
In this interview with journalists, he unveils who he is, and reasons why he is the best person to hold the job at this point in time.
Excerpts:
Why are you running to represent the people of Nkanu-East State Constituency in the forthcoming elections?
Thanks for having me today for this interview.
I am running for Enugu State House of Assembly because I once lived in Enugu, and mostly in the southwest (Ile-Ife, Ife Central Local Government among other big cities) all my life before I travelled to the USA. Basically, I grew up in Nigeria. I have tremendous experiences in lawmaking process having had the privilege to work for and with Jamie Raskin representing Maryland 8th Congressional District vital to be an effective legislator. I will work hard and make sure Nkanu-East citizen’s voice is heard through legislative transformation.
Secondly, I am vying for office of State House of Assembly Enugu State because it is another way to give back to my community by influencing public policy. Having travelled to 85% of Nkanu-East Constituency, there is no iota of doubt that we are behind in terms of socioeconomic development. Having travelled to four continents (North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa), Africa is behind, Nigeria is performing poorly compared to other African nations, while same thing is applicable to Nkanu-east compared to other Local Governments in Enugu State.
It is an opportunity for me to replicate what I have learned traveling around the world both for leisure and other activities.
Thirdly, the incumbent and ruling party have failed woefully to challenge the executive governor and explore legislative oversight whose purpose is to hold the government accountable on pressing issues.
Fourthly, I employ people through my foundation, Meek Foundation where we trained interested apprentice for free and help them when they graduate. We offer services ranging from fashion designing, beauty salon, and men’s barbing saloon. I understand the practical details of business as someone who pay people on a monthly basis. I can channel this experience to elevate free market economy thus boost employment opportunities for Enugu citizens.
In addition, I will engage to ensure that no one has to go through what I went through as a child. I want to ensure our children are experiencing a conducive learning environment, getting primary healthcare, and improving standard of living (per capita income) through the interactive Human Development Index (HDI).
On agriculture, we must establish a mechanized agricultural system, for example, to create jobs for the people and improve state earning through taxation. For instance, Nigeria imports most of its daily consumption of wheat.
According to Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) that deals with dynamics of economic activities around the world on nation’s basis, “In 2020, Nigeria imported $2.15B in Wheat, becoming the 4th largest importer of Wheat in the world.”
How can Nkanu-East or Enugu state become net exporter on wheat?
In light of this development, I believe Enugu State can lead in the production, processing, packaging, and exportation of wheat. Consider this, Enugu State, particularly Nkanu-East, has a preponderance of agrarian land. We can utilize it to plant wheat.
If we can generate 10% of $2.15B (Two Billion One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) in production process of wheat, Enugu state, for example, will make at least $215, 000, 000 multiply by supposedly $650 exchange rate is equivalent of (₦139, 750,000,000 i.e. One Hundred Thirty Nine Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) on wheat farming. However, suppose Enugu produces 5% of $2.15B, Enugu can generate ₦69,875,000,000 (Sixty-nine Billion Eight Hundred and Seventy-five million Naira) in wheat.
Plus or minus through the production process of wheat, Enugu is creating jobs, feeding its people, exporting wheat, impacting lives positively, and generating some taxes.
Agricultural mechanization is a key to food security in developing Nkanu-East Constituency, Enugu, and perhaps, Southeast region, or the whole country. Some of the agricultural produce can be replicated as long as we study the comparative advantage.
Finally, transitioning into an E-governance system is critical to decrease outflow costs, enhance workflow management, service delivery, and total efficiency to ensure development of transparency and accountability. Overall, E-governance curbs the oasis of corruption and eliminates public mismanagement. With the adequate implementation of E-governance, I strongly believe we can reduce waste.
Therefore, I will be working with the executive branch in creating the best approach to invest and improve road connectivity, and other social amenities in Nkanu-East Constituency and Enugu State at large. Briefly, I am seeking to represent Nkanu-East Constituency because I want to utilize my legislative and executive prowess and experiences to help the community find solutions to a plethora of socioeconomic challenges. I want to be a problem solver.
What’s experience do you have to speak for you in your quest?
I had the opportunity to work with and for some American politicians such as the current Maryland Lieutenant (Deputy) Governor Boyd Rutherford, Jamie Raskin currently representing Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the USA House of Representatives, Dan Cox (He is currently the Maryland Republican gubernatorial candidate for 2022 elections). I gained a wealth of experience working as intern for and with Lee Havis (he is currently Republican candidate for Maryland State Senate Legislative District 21) and so on.
In this capacity, I provided astute political strategies during their campaigns and engaged in get-out-to-vote political mechanism. I served as the deputy field organizer in Prince George’s County. In addition, I was a designated Challenger, Watcher and Election Observer in some polling units for Hogan/Rutherford Campaign in 2018.
Furthermore, I worked for and with Lieutenant (Deputy) Governor Rutherford for a few months at the Annapolis, which is the State Capital of Maryland, thus I gained a wealth of executive experience. Similarly, I learned profound legislative skills and knowledge from Jamie Raskin both during his campaign and in the Capitol. I gained tremendous experience and skills while I was with Dan Cox.
As a job creator, I would sponsor or co-sponsor a series of bills to enhance free market economy that is vital to build an enabling environment for business to thrive thus creating jobs and enhancing entrepreneurship. We must partner with reputable private organizations to build not only Nkanu-East but also Enugu State. Nkanu-East citizens deserve a representative with impeccable character, capacity, and competency.
What difference would you make as a legislator if you start serving? (What would you do that others haven’t done?)
Thank you for the critical question. One of the fundamental issues I will employ to differentiate myself from others is to ensure the practical application of legislative oversight. For example, Governor Ugwuanyi of Enugu State recently built a flyover to beautify and decongest traffic in Enugu city. While it was a noble idea that was haphazardly completed, the flyover was badly planned and implemented. In my own summation, it is a worthless flyover construction.
Therefore, if I were a member of State of House of Assembly, I would have summoned the Commissioner for Transportation to the Chamber to give a vivid account of what went wrong. I would also summon the company contracted to construct the flyover. I would love to know the company that is in charge of the flyover and inquire about the contract bidding. How much did it cost?
As I talk to you, I have not seen one single state House of Assembly member taking such drastic step to unravel the rudimentary cause of the poorly execution of the flyover.
Similarly, for almost four months, primary school teachers in Enugu State embarked on protracted strikes over the non-implementation of minimum wage for the teachers, which absolutely destabilized educational activities in the state. If I were a member of Enugu State House of Assembly, I would have subpoenaed the Commissioner for Education and leader of Head teachers to explain the reason primary schools were on standstill. I believe we can do better for teachers who are instrumental to the foundation of our kids!
Put simply, I am going to take legislative oversight very paramount. The legislator has the constitutional authority to know how every ₦1 that belongs to the public is spent. Without legislative oversight, the oasis of failure continues unfettered. Enugu citizens, especially Nkanu-East people, count on legislators to serve as the eyes and ears in managing public resources.
Even before I venture into politics, I have been making huge and indelible impacts in people’s lives through Meek Foundation such as education, healthcare, entrepreneurship (People can check my website https://abetternkanu.com/). On education, as the CEO and Meek Foundation and a private person, I have engaged my community (Mburubu) and other communities in Nkanu-East in distinctive ways. I have been helping hundreds of people through scholarships in primary and secondary schools, undergraduate, graduate students not just in Mburubu but also in Nomeh and Nara. I have distributed thousands of notebooks and hundreds of textbooks, and shared sandals.
On healthcare, I have used my personal resources to renovate the roof of our decrepit healthcare center in Mburubu. This stopped water leakage and debris from the surrounding trees. I have helped hundreds of people to pay their healthcare bills.
On sports, since 2020, Meek Foundation has played a pivotal role as the foremost sponsor of Mburubu Unity Cup (which is a yearly soccer competition) that provides evenhanded and fascinating financial prizes to the winner, first runner-up, and second runner-up, among other prizes to encourage our youth. The rationale of sponsoring this sports competition is to enthuse, inspire, and connect young people about unity, instantaneously elevate fun to participants and also entertain the viewers in the process. Meek Foundation utilizes sportsmanship to foster an attitude that heartens fair play, civility to teammates, rivals, ethical behaviors, and trustworthiness, and benevolence in victory or defeat. In the process, Meek Foundation also offers way to gain prominent significance to rules in life since soccer competition has a plethora of rules.
Since I have been committed to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), I will sponsor and co-sponsor a bill to establish STEM in Enugu State and make Enugu State a Tech-hub to attract young and intelligent people across Nigeria. Enugu State, particularly Nkanu-east, can lead the nation in STEM. In addition, I will explore my influence to attract people from the United States and Europe to mentor our youth. Secondly, I will personally work with wealthy people and private persons of Nkanu-East origin to fund STEM. Collectively, you will agree with me that we can build Nkanu-East.
Running under a minority party like YPP, what makes you think you will win?
People are tired of the status quo and the permanent political class who have reneged in their promises countless times. Personally, I vehemently believe that 2023 will not be about political party. It will surely be about personality, someone who has impeccable character, sturdy competency, excellent vision, robust policy prescriptions that challenge the status quo vital to defeat the permanent political class who have continued make lives unbearable for Nkanu-East citizens and Enugu people at large.
I will tell you as a dedicated follower of Albert Einstein, he once said, I am paraphrasing now that the meaning of insanity is repeatedly engaging in same method and anticipating a distinctive outcome. It is practically impossible.
I am not a politician; people are yearning for someone who has their interests at heart and provides strong leadership channeling all the experience, exposure, and education to serve the community. I believe I will win because I am not only the most qualified but also gained huge experiences from one of the best legislative bodies in the world (the United States Congress). Moreover, I have presented the most robust policy idea that will change the trajectory from transactional to transformational politics.
The state houses of Assembly, the local government areas and councils in the country have been described as hanging on the apron strings of the state government. This is because the state government has continued to take the allocations meant for them and issue them whatever it likes. As a legislator, do you think this is okay? If no, do you think its something you can influence its change?
I am glad you asked these important questions; As someone who has worked closely with College Park City Council in the USA (equivalent of Local Government in Nigeria) for a brief time, I will give an insight that Enugu must embrace local government autonomy. I should confess that the closest government to the people is the local government since they deal with people in the grassroots. Local government autonomy is non-negotiable if people want them to provide good governance at the grassroots level. Local government must have discretion to perform their task unencumbered. For example, local government should be able to supply goods and services for the local need. However, we should also remember that we have a long way to go regarding the nation’s Constitution that needs a thorough overhaul or outright writing a new Constitution that represents the will of the people. Put differently, we need constitutional restructuring if we are to truly give local government its autonomy. Despite these drawbacks, it is incumbent upon us to give local government the independence it deserves.
One of the ways to restore the independence of House of Assembly is to elect an opposition who can explore legislative oversight to fight the battle. We have to remember that the State House of Assembly is co-equal branch of government that has the constitutional authority to check the excesses of the executive branch even the judiciary branch.
One of the core reasons apron strings is used to describe how subservient the state houses of Assembly, the local government areas and councils are to Enugu State is because of the one party system in most states. Most of the registered parties do not have political ideology. For example, most of my opponents have jumped from one party to another, especially when they lose the primaries within the ruling party in Enugu State.
For example. I am the only candidate in the State House of Assembly race who does not have a godfather. They are parts of the status quo who believe anything goes, and it would be hard to challenge the executive branch when we have same party running the legislative branch.
If you win the election, will you join the PDP, being the majority party in Enugu State, or do you think you can boost your party in the state to take a prime position?
I really love this salient question. No, I will not join PDP or any party should I win. It must be acknowledged that I will be working with other members of the legislators irrespective of their party affiliations considering that we all want Enugu state to be prosperous, peaceful, and purposeful.
Nevertheless, I am wired differently with a strong political ideology and conviction, which seems antithesis to the ideology of PDP, for example, if PDP has any ideology. One of the ways to ensure effective and efficient governance is a strong opposition. As earlier indicated, Nkanu-East Constituency needs a legislator who can challenge the status quo. Suppose I become a minority member of the State Chamber, I will have the legislative authority to inspect, assess, scrutinize, and check every bill that needs to be assented by the Executive Governor. Furthermore legislators have the “power of the purse.” This technically means legislators control the finance through the budget; they approve the fiscal budget. Put in different way, the legislators have the capacity to tax and spend public money for community good.
Joining the ruling party will amount to consolidating one party system. One party system is not good for our democratic system. Contemporary issues facing Enugu State require distinctive perspectives to ensure we proffer solution to a plethora of socioeconomic challenges. With de facto one party system, it is more susceptible to oasis of corruption, unchecked power, and unduly influence that prioritize special interests over public interests. As we have seen, one party system does not fully represent the aspirations and yearnings of the people. We must work to disrupt that for the sake of Enugu citizens.
One of the most important factors why I will not join the supposedly ruling party is because it leads to a paucity of watchdog of government. Government is a lousy watchdog for government, especially when they are in the same party. The incentive is not there for opposing party to provide strong legislative oversight. Again, joining the ruling party will undermine the significance of legislative oversight, which is the core duty of the legislators.
If elected, I will start recruiting good and competent people across the 17 local governments who want to serve the people diligently, honestly, and judiciously, especially electing more YPP members into the State House of Assembly. With a strong opposition, we can limit waste of resources and curb the implementation of any White Elephant projects that are not beneficial to the people.
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