I Improved Anambra School System — Obi Responds To Omokri

Peter Obi and Reno Omokri

THE Labour Party's (LP) nominee for president in the most recent elections, Peter Obi, has addressed the assertion that throughout his tenure as governor of Anambra state, he did not construct any schools.

During a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, Obi said that during his tenure as governor, the Anambra state school system improved.

Reno Omokri, a former assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, claimed last weekend that Obi failed to construct any schools when he was in Anambra.

Omokri offered $10,000 to supporters of the former governor of Anambra who could name one school that Obi had constructed.

“I am giving a challenge. I will give any (Obidient) $10,000 if they can name one school that Peter Obi started, completed and commissioned while he was governor of Anambra state,” he had said.

Obi served as Anambra's governor two terms between 2006 and March 2014 because of legal concerns.

A journalist questioned him about his response to the assertion that he had not constructed any schools in Anambra when he was governor.

Many people do not read the manifestos of candidates running for elective office, according to the former governor.

According to Obi, he pledged to overhaul the state's educational system during his governorship campaign in Anambra.

The LP presidential contender described how Anambra's educational standing rose under his leadership.

He said: “When I was campaigning for governor. I hope you are aware, that for two years, schools were shut in Anambra. Anambra school system was very low in rating.

“I said I will change the educational system in Anambra state, where schools would never be closed. I would make sure I gave the best to education.

“We had an issue with male children not going to schools. I said I will revive that and make sure that Anambra state becomes one of the best.

“When I started, we were number 26 and 26 on WAEC and NECO. By the time I left, we were number one.

“When I was the governor, I knew the state of the school. Every secondary school had a borehole, computers, vehicles and generators. No other state in this country was able to do that.”