“One of the biggest challenges of the one year old Soludo’s government is its politics,” —Ebuka Onyekwelu
Anambra state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo was sworn-in as governor amidst high expectations exactly a year ago. One year down the line with the government now effectively in its second budget, in what ways is the government living up to the expectations it had of itself, the expectations the people had of it, and how does the future look for the one year old government?
In terms of governance and programmes of government, the one year old government of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has done fairly well, but still very far from its own set agenda and even farther from the expectations of the people. Soludo met solid governance structures put in place by his predecessor, Willie Obiano. These structures like agencies and other administrative channels put in place by Obiano, were supposed to accelerate Soludo’s ambitious programmes, but so far, it’s only pockets of insignificant progress that have been recorded. In this regard, ARTMA stands out as one of the most efficient governance structure under Soludo’s government, having put the regular traffic in Awka and Onitsha almost to a permanent end. But this is just one agency out of many others. As part of its efforts towards smooth undertaking of government’s developmental programmes, the government has taken no less than over five thousand new employees for various teaching positions and in the state’s health sector. This counts as part of governor Soludo’s efforts towards a livable and prosperous homeland. Government programme like the one youth two skills initiative is commendable.
International Convention Centre built by Obiano is still at the level it was left by the former government
In terms of infrastructure, the level of infrastructure deficit in Anambra state remains worrisome. In the past one year, the new government has neither been able to initiate any solid infrastructure nor improved the ones it inherited from especially the Obiano’s government. For instance, the International Convention Centre built by Obiano is still at the level it was left by the former government. Not a single bloc has been added by the Soludo’s government to enhance that project and elevate its value and relevance. The Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport also suffers the same near neglect from the government. Although provisions were made in the 2023 budget for further work at the Airport, nothing has as yet happened in terms of improving or enhancing the airport. As of now, no plane can land on the airport once the day light can no longer be sighted. There are claims that facilities for night landing were provided by the Obiano’s government but those facilities were yet to be installed. The light cables are also alleged to have been vandalized and till now, it is uncertain the position of Soludo’s government on the Airport project. On road construction and rehabilitation, the Soludo’s government has an ambitious agenda in this regard and it is looking like the government is determined to deliver quality roads that will stand the test of time. Although so far, it is not certain if any of the road projects has now been completed as most are at different stages of construction. Replacing the diesel generator powered street lights with solar powered ones is also commendable.
As expected, one of the biggest challenges of the one year old Soludo’s government is its politics. I am of the persuasion that Soludo’s own personal political choices have had far more implications on his administration than any other thing. This is what I mean. When the governor failed to endorse Peter Obi’s presidential aspiration on Labour Party, he still did not take a stand and mobilize full support for his own preferred candidate. In fact, Soludo’s position on the 2023 Presidential Election can be described as an academic exercise. As governor and leader of his party APGA, not supporting Peter Obi of Labour Party was not a problem, but where was he standing? So literally, what the governor did was to dismiss Peter Obi and then walked away. This did not help his party APGA or APGA members. Worst still, the governor had no definite position as to the direction he would lead his people in the presidential race. In consequence, most APGA members went to Labour Party and supported Peter Obi, including people in Soludo’s government. Some APGA members running for election even publicly campaigned for Peter Obi and Labour Party, without fully understanding that what we have is a party based democracy and that there are dire consequences for such actions. Today, the same Labour Party that APGA members fed has now become a threat to APGA, not because Soludo did not support Peter Obi, but because Soludo did not provide political direction for APGA members and they went to energize Labour Party without knowing the consequences.
In the next three years, governor Soludo’s government will yet see its most turbulent days given second tenure politics and obvious preparation to unseat him. In the meantime, Saturday’s House of Assembly Election in Anambra State appears to be an interesting one in which APGA will still maintain the lead in the House, while Labour Party, YPP, and PDP, will also get their fair share of seats. For now, this, if it happens as projected, might give governor Soludo a temporary relieve in commemoration of his one year in office. However, the expectations remain high and the government has only three years left to demonstrate that Soludo has solution, or be confined to history’s obscurity.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
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