There have been a lot of discussions around the promises that the candidates of the next presidential election are making as they go around campaigning, especially by the Big Four (4) – Obi, Atiku, Tinubu, and Kwankwaso.
Today, I decided to do some digging into the time Mr. Peter Obi was governor of Anambra state with screenshots.
We want to know what he’s saying if he has done it before and if he can do it as president if elected.
What’s the goal?
A lot of the talking points going into next year’s election have bordered on food security and being able to feed ourselves as a nation.
Disclaimer: This is not to campaign for the Labour Party candidate but to know if you, the reader, can trust him with your vote.
Join me as we go through a journey that tells of Peter Obi’s agricultural revolution as Anambra Governor.
Peter Obi’s agricultural revolution as Anambra Governor
One of the things Peter Obi did after he became governor was to pay a visit to farmers in the state, to listen to their plight, and to discuss ways to improve food security in the state.
In May 2012, Anambra state, under Peter Obi, released a sum of N1bn loan to farmers in the state, targeting mainly rice farmers.
Screenshots to prove this
In April 2013, another N1bn loan was distributed to farmers in the state by Peter Obi to achieve these three things:
- Boost agricultural production
- Encourage investment in the sector
- And further, improve food security in the state.
In December 2013, Governor Peter Obi flagged off N1.2bn credit facilities for farmers in Anambra. The initiative was a collaborative project between the bank of Agriculture & the Anambra state Govt.
In this initiative, the state government invested in the bank of Agriculture, with an agreement signed, for the bank to provide credit facilities to Anambra farmers at very reduced interest rates.
He also released intervention grants to the tune of N70m to small-scale farmers in the state. His administration also procured over 300 tractors for farmers.
Also, Channels tv and the Nation Newspaper talked about the 70 million Naira intervention fund Peter Obi gave to farmers in the state.
What Are The Result of These Investment & Agricultural Revolution
Now, let’s look at the result of these investments and the agricultural revolution.
According to image A below, in 2005, Anambra state was producing a measly 28,000 metric tonnes of rice per year.
According to image B, by 2016, Anambra hit its target of over 210,000 metric tonnes.
That’s a 750% increase in production within 10 years.
You may say that Peter Obi was not the governor of Anambra in 2016, yes, that’s true but without a foundation, no structure can stand. PO laid the foundation for successors to build on.
Now, let’s listen to this excerpt from Peter Obi’s speech at the Arewa forum engagement in Kaduna. He did not say anything he has not done in the past. The reference to the Bank of agriculture is consistent with his track record.
As we approach February 2023 General elections, we must pay attention to verifiable track records & antecedents. Let us as a people, be determined to vote for honest and consistent leadership.
Screenshots sources: Vanguard, Channels tv, The Nation, and Kweku the Hustler.