The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received a fresh mandate to reexamine the eight-year tenure of former Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

Dede Uzor, the Executive Director of the Human Rights, Liberty Access, and Peace Defenders Foundation, as well as Chairman of the Campaign for Democracy in the South East, issued a statement in Awka, emphasizing the need for Obiano’s accountability during his leadership.

Uzor expressed profound disappointment in Obiano’s eight-year rule, highlighting a lack of tangible improvements that directly impacted the lives of Anambra’s citizens, resulting in a state plagued by poverty.

Dede Uzor criticized what he termed as Obiano’s legacy – grandiose but non-functional projects, such as an extravagant airport and stadium, which failed to bring meaningful change to the people of the state.

He also called for an investigation into the activities of Local Government Chairmen during Obiano’s administration, citing allegations of corruption in the allocation of funds meant for local development.

Under Obiano’s governance, according to Dede Uzor, Anambra State saw a decline in infrastructure quality, with deteriorating road conditions prevailing throughout the state, including the governor’s own community of Aguleri.

Uzor credited Obiano’s successor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, with recognizing the strategic importance of infrastructure development, particularly the vital Niger Street leading to Onitsha Main Market, an initiative that had been neglected by the former governor.

In his counsel to Governor Soludo, Dede Uzor urged a departure from the alleged mistakes of his predecessor, emphasizing the importance of transparent financial reporting for state revenue generation.

The activist further implored Soludo to accelerate ongoing road construction projects, including Niger Street to Main Market, Ziks Avenue, Port-Harcourt Road, Mbonu Ojike Street, Miss Elems, Creeks Road, Bida Road, and Silas Works Road, all within the Fegge region.

Additionally, he recommended proactive engagement of the youth to combat the rising crime rates in the state.

As Anambra embarks on a new era under Governor Soludo’s leadership, the call for accountability and transformative change resounds, with Dede Uzor’s statement underscoring the urgency for a brighter future for the state’s citizens.