By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The governorship candidate of Accord Party (AP), Dr. Godwin Maduka, said on Tuesday that Anambra State would experience rapid economic growth and development under his watch as the State Governor.

Maduka, who contested the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost and moved to Accord Party, said that his 10-point agenda is enough to boost the economy of the state.

He reeled out the 10-point agenda to include mechanized agriculture, affordable and accessible health care, free and standard education, and women and youth empowerment.

Others are security and justice, infrastructure and tourism, environmental hygiene, renewable energy, unrestrained flow of traffic, technology and digital economy.

On reasons why he dumped PDP for AD, the US-based pain management expert and owner of Las Vegas Pain Institute said he left the party because they showed evidence of lack of seriousness.

Addressing a press conference in Awka after he was formally received into Accord, Maduka said he was disappointed when in just one day during the primary election day, the list of delegates changed three times, leading to his loss of the ticket of the PDP.

“I have no problem with PDP, they are still my friends, a lot of the members are now here (Accord) with me, and I know that on that election day, they will vote for me.

“I was also a sympathizer with APGA (All Progressives Grand Alliance), and I know the governor, and he and many of them remain my friends. I decided to leave PDP and look for a party that I can work with. I know my chairman in Accord, and my chairman knows me. I decided to choose the people I can work with.

“I was already going to win the ticket of the PDP, and the ad-hoc and statutory delegates were ready to vote for me. But, unfortunately, the PDP decided to do selection instead of election.

“On the day of the primary election, the delegates list changed three times, and at the end, they disenfranchised all the ad-hoc and statutory delegates and used what they called super delegates list. When that happened, I decided I will look for another party because the PDP did not seem to me like they were serious. It was in the process of searching for a new party that I found Accord,” he added.

While promising to end medical tourism in the state if elected, the philanthropist per excellence said that he was already making plans to ensure that world-class medical facilities exist in Nigeria to end medical tourism can end.

He used the occasion to unveil his running mate, Mr. Kenneth Obi, who he described as a grassroots politician in the state

In his speech, Mr. Obi said the state will become a big supplier of food to the entire eastern region and beyond if they are voted into power come November 6, 2021.

Briefing party chieftains and members at the occasion, the State Chairman of Accord, Chief Barthlomew Igwedibia Ikoro, said that Maduka will be the next Governor of the state based on God’s promise.