By Abba -Eku Onyeka
Abuja
An Associate Professor, Dr. Odiraa Nwankwor, has declared his intention under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to run for the Orumba North/South Federal Constituency seat in Anambra State, vowing to end what he called the culture of lawmakers who go to the National Assembly “to do nothing but collect allowances.”
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Nwankwor said his mission is to push policy-driven legislation that delivers measurable results, particularly in healthcare, agriculture, and ICT. He decried the trend of legislators who remain silent for their entire first year in office without sponsoring a single bill.
“I know legislators who have not said a word on the floor of the House for one year. That will not happen with me,” he said. “I’m going to the National Assembly to work, not to sit.”
A key plank of his agenda is healthcare reform. Nwankwor said he will push for a bill to establish at least one better-equipped teaching hospital in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. He described the plan as resource-intensive but achievable at policy level, adding that he would leverage his credentials to seek a position on the House Committee on Health Institutions.
To implement the policy, he pledged to bring medical trainers from abroad who have previously worked with him in Nigeria. He said the team would help set up newborn screening programs and comprehensive child health services to detect diseases early. “We do for children, take a little bit of blood, and run different tests for diseases that child might have, so we start early to prevent them from manifesting,” he explained.
For adults, Nwankwor said his focus would be on a “quartet” of services: emergency rooms, operating rooms, ICUs, and diagnostics. He stressed the need for Nigerians to “know their numbers” — key health indicators — and promised to push for a functional health insurance scheme. “Healthcare is really expensive. There has to be a way to make health insurance work so people can walk in, get care, and leave,” he said.
On his readiness for the challenges of Nigerian politics, Nwankwor said he has “paid his dues” and understands the terrain. “I’ve been around. I understand the local people. My team and I are working heavily right now to build consensus,” he stated. He dismissed concerns about godfatherism, saying he has “not bowed to anybody” and has no political godfather.
Addressing questions about his base in the United States, the intensivist and associate professor said he intends to take a leave of absence from his job if he wins the party primaries. “I have a full-time job here. I cannot leave now or I’ll be hurting myself. But after primaries, I will apply for leave of absence. If I win on January 16, I will resign completely because I want to go into policy,” he explained.
Nwankwor said his legislative priorities also cover agriculture and ICT, which he plans to tackle within the first six months to enhance cultural products and create jobs. He argued that the trajectory of any nation depends on selfless people in government, and called on constituents to decide carefully who represents them.
The aspirant insisted he is not a desperate politician, noting that public service for him is already scaled up through his medical practice and philanthropy. “My mind tells me that I will win this election. In government or out of government, I will continue to serve,” he said.
On concerns that his philanthropy has not been felt across all communities in Orumba North/South, Nwankwor responded that his work has covered many towns, but he intends to expand his reach and communicate his ideas more directly. “My presence has been felt, but we will do more so people know what we stand for,” he added.
He concluded by urging journalists and voters to scrutinize candidates beyond party popularity. “Sometimes it is not the party but the person. We need people who will go to the National Assembly to make laws, not just to occupy space,” Nwankwor said.
