Ukachukwu: I was second highest employer of labour in Anambra

Nicholas Ukachukwu, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming Anambra election, says his record in job creation distinguishes him from other contenders.

Ukachukwu spoke during ‘Sunday Politics’, a programme on Channels Television.

He said the APC in Anambra is determined to win the poll and has rallied behind him because of his visible contributions to the state.

“APC in Anambra wants to win the governorship of Anambra state — the seat of Anambra state,” he said.

“And they know that the best person to win it is me… that can say, I have been this, not because I’m running.

“I don’t think there is anybody per kilometre road that has done as much as I’ve done for my state — in my state. And nobody has, I can say, I did it not even as a politician.

“I have tarred so many roads and named them after so many people. I have 12 industries in that place. I used to be the second highest employer of labour outside the state government.”

He said his investments in hospitality, manufacturing, and education are rooted in a long-standing desire to uplift communities.

“So, it is coming from the point of my track record, what we bring,” he said.

“The Radisson Hotel that is in Awka is built by us. And then we have a factory also in Awka, which is too big and large, that is coming on stream. Those are the things they see.”

He said his work has also impacted the education sector — particularly in improving access for underprivileged students.

“I have tried to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich, that both poor and rich can go to private universities,” he said.

“Many of them, over a thousand. In fact, recently, like a week or two ago, a private university gave me a pillar of that university.

“Because in that university, I’ve had over 250 people of poor and the rich.”

Ukachukwu also clarified his stance on godfatherism in Anambra politics, following recent criticism.

“You know, people mistook what I said about godfatherism,” he said.

“What I tried to say is that I have been supporting people to be governor in Anambra state.

“There is nobody that has been governor in Anambra state that has not gotten my support. There has never been.”

Ukachukwu clinched the ticket at the party’s primary election conducted on April 5, after defeating his closest rival, Valentine Ozigbo, and other contenders by a landslide.

While Ozigbo secured 67 votes, Edozie Madu and Johnbosco Onunkwo got 8 and 26 votes, respectively.

The Anambra governorship election will hold on November 8.