Okey Ezeonyeagwana
Nnewi, Anambra State
Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, faces increasing criticism as former councillors across party in the state, led by their coordinator Charity Okwuego, has expressed their dissatisfaction with his administration. Speaking at a press briefing in Nnewi, the group decried the governor’s policies, accusing him of poor governance, high taxation, and failing to address critical issues like insecurity and infrastructure development.
“We had high hopes when Soludo came into office, especially with his grand promise of transforming Anambra into a ‘Dubai-Taiwan’ model. His intellectual background made us believe he would be the messiah we needed,” Okwuego lamented. “But in reality, the more we look, the less we see.”
She compared the current state of Anambra to the dark period between 1999 and 2003, a time marred by rampant crime and insecurity, before the intervention of then-Governor Chris Ngige. “It’s tragic that after waiting 12 years to Govern, Soludo is taking us 23 years backward to when Anambra was notorious for crime and insecurity. We are witnessing a resurgence of these issues under his watch.”
Okwuego also noted that many stakeholders appear to have distanced themselves from the current administration, suggesting that they are waiting for Soludo’s unpopular tenure to end. “But the real concern is, will there still be an Anambra to salvage when Soludo leaves office?” she asked.
The group praised Professor Obiora Okonkwo, a businessman and politician, for his recent critique of Soludo’s administration as contained in his recent interview with vanguard news, hailing it as an act of statesmanship. “Okonkwo has bravely spoken the truth, and history will judge him kindly for it.
In contrast to Governor Soludo, who has no significant personal investments in Anambra aside from his family home in Isuofia, Professor Obiora Okonkwo remains committed to the state’s development through his business ventures and community service. Despite many others leaving, Okonkwo has maintained his presence and investments in Anambra State. Notably, alongside Air Peace, another airline owned by Anambra native Allen Onyema, Okonkwo’s United Nigeria airline continues to operate daily flights to and from the Anambra Airport. This is despite the fact that the Soludo administration has failed to attract any other airline to the airport, which struggles with inadequate infrastructure and modern facilities. Okonkwo and Onyema’s dedication to their state is evident in their continued operations, driven by a deep-rooted love for Anambra, even though the airport remains one of the least viable in the country, No thanks to Soludo’s neglect of the airport.”
Okwuego painted a grim picture of Anambra’s current state, where insecurity has forced many young people to flee, and women are subjected to secret taxation by non-state actors in places like Ogbaru, Nnewi, and Onitsha. “The state is in ruins. People are hungry, poor, and insecure. Bad roads and rampant crime have left the people feeling as if they are living in a mortuary,” she added.
She urged Soludo to reflect on the criticisms rather than relying on his ragtag media to deflect the issues. “Instead of launching media attacks, Soludo should listen to wise counsel from those who genuinely care about the future of Anambra, like Okonkwo. Those singing his praises today are likely doing so for personal gain, and when his term ends, the reality of his administration’s failures will come to light. He must remember, power is transient, and stay humble.”
The criticism from the former councillors adds to the growing discontent against Soludo’s leadership, with many calling for urgent actions to remedy the situation.
About Author
