“So far, many people are not impressed with the Governor’s performance, but they are still hopeful.”— Ebuka Onyekwelu
In about two months, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo would mark his one year in office as Governor of Anambra State. From March this year, Prof. Soludo would be left with three years to complete his first tenure of four years, as governor of Anambra State. Interestingly, the first year appears to be a learning curve for the governor. It is not exactly clear why it is so, considering that the governor has been around as head of Governor Obiano’s vision for 2070
So he has a cordial relationship with the former governor and also emerged from the party of his predecessor. The ready assumption is that he would have hit the ground flying. One year on, no signs that the government has taken flight. However, the next three years will define Soludo’s government both in politics and governance, based on the experiments of its first year in office. That three years will be without the distraction of the coming General Election and might prove to be really tough, coupled with the politics of his second term bid.
So far, many people are not impressed with the Governor’s performance, but they are still hopeful. Although security has largely improved, there are still grave security concerns all around the state. There is no significant development in the mold of Soludo’s Dubai-Taiwan vision or even his latter-day version of a liveable and prosperous homeland. For instance, for almost one year, the government has not delivered one completed road project or commenced any project that has the capacity to redefine the state in any way that is significant. While it has finally completed the employment of five thousand teachers and paid them their December salary as promised, that exercise was not without skirmishes and controversy, which lingers still. Also, inherited projects like the International Convention Centre and the Anambra Airport are still at the level they were left by former Governor, Willie Obiano. Yet, there are issues with informal revenue collection which is still being resolved. Attempts to completely overhaul the collection procedure for the informal revenue failed, costing the state over a billion Naira in revenue between March 2022 and October 2022. To date, issues surrounding the collection/ payment of informal revenue have not been fully resolved. By implication, the government is still trying to attend to certain basic issues, still testing ideas, and probably yet to resolve some ideological questions. Unfortunately, they do not have all the time, as the Soludo’s administration is now already into its second budget, as a government.
Looking at the Soludo’s government, it is perceptible that there is a major problem with his team. It is likely that some members of his team do not share in his vision, or they do not understand his vision. It could also be that the team does not have the governor’s confidence to use their creativity in the discharge of their duties. There are a number of insinuations that the governor does not entertain contrary views or debate and so does not also allow his appointees a free hand to operate. Whatever the case may be, it does appear as if some team members are working hard to undermine themselves and undo each other. For instance, there are reports of conflicting directives and actions from the Ministry of Housing and that of Lands, or the Ministry of Education and Post Primary School Service Commission – PPSSC, among others. Agencies of government like ASWAMA, etc., are often in the news for all the wrong reasons. There is clearly a disconnect somewhere. In some cases, the team’s shared vision has been left hanging, in pursuit of personal gratification. In consequence, there is just a few people who are focused on the work, like Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, who, as Special Adviser on Political Matters, has been trying to ensure that the government retains some human face.
In a situation where people in government predominantly do not take responsibility for a shared vision, then, there is a real problem because the governor cannot be everywhere. At the moment, what is at stake is beyond APGA, or Prof. Soludo. What happens if one of our bests end up as a normal or regular Nigerian political leader? What happens if Prof. Chukwuma Soludo ends up an average governor, like the rest? This is critical because, if in the next one year, there is no physical evidence of the iconic symbol of Soludo’s government, then, it will only signal the beginning of an end.
If PDP wins, it might be better for Soludo’s government, but maybe, bad for APGA
At the end of the General Election in February and March 2023, Governor Soludo’s administration will come under heavy scrutiny, and with his position on the 2023 Presidential Election, as well as his clear grouse against the dominance of government and state politics by some Church leaders, Soludo’s battle will be profound. If Labour Party wins the presidential election, the problem will be deeper for the government. But if PDP wins, it might be better for Soludo’s government, but maybe, bad for APGA. However, if APC wins, both Soludo’s government and APGA will be just fine. Be that as it may, Soludo needs results. If there are no tangible results to show as evidence of the practicality of his vision, then, it will be problematic for him and for APGA in the next election cycle.
There is a need for the governor to put his team in the best possible shape, in his own best interests. The team must be able to work freely within the sphere of their job description so that they can take responsibility for results and problems, as well. Nothing beats results. The government must be focused on results.
Ebuka graduated with a second-class upper-division degree in Political Science from the University of Calabar in Nigeria. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Political Science with a specialization in Government and Development Studies from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria. His academic background and professional experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of political dynamics and governance issues.
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