“Most Anambra stakeholders who supported Soludo in 2021 are no longer cordial with him” —Ebuka Onyekwelu
Anambra State politicians and indeed, all interested parties in the 2025 Anambra State gubernatorial election are now advancing their schemes, almost one year to the election. The incumbent governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has recently concluded the local government election in which his own lineup of the All Progressives Grand Alliance – APGA- were all declared the winners.
Thankfully, both the All Progressives Congress – APC and Labour Party – LP- the two main opposition parties in Anambra State, boycotted the election over diverse accusations of manipulation and violation of extant laws. This includes amendments to the Anambra State Electoral Law 2024 which was done twice after the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission – ANSIEC, had released the election timetable. The amendments in particular signaled process-summersault and subsequently became an attack on people’s faith in that election. It was a failed exercise before it began.
For the ruling APGA, the just concluded local government election is a sample of what awaits opposition political parties in next year’s governorship election. Some supporters and promoters of the governor and his faction of APGA are already claiming that the outcome of the local government election foretells the outcome of the 2025 governorship election. Nevertheless, APC will not be boycotting the governorship election and LP will also not be boycotting the election. That election will be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission – INEC, and not ANSIEC. Then also, governor Soludo is preparing for the election without the support of the legitimate APGA.
The 2025 Anambra governorship election will be shaped by real governance issues, political prowess and political alliance. On the three fronts, Governor Soludo has not impressed. In terms of governance, the level of insecurity in Anambra remains foremost in any assessment of the governor’s performance. Insecurity is always a major governance concern with severe political costs. Just two days ago, tens of sports journalists going to Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State for the coverage of the Super Eagles game in that city, were kidnapped in Anambra State. Under this administration, a US Consulate team was attacked in Anambra and many of the staff of the Consulate were killed in that attack. There are so many high-profile cases of kidnap and there is a sense of free-for-all of sorts in Anambra State where criminals open fire at will in any part of Awka, the State capital, without consequence. With no ambiguity, the general impression is that Governor Soludo has failed to ensure the security of the lives and properties of Anambra residents.
In terms of infrastructure, many projects initiated by the current government in Anambra have dragged on for years, without completion. For instance, the Bank Road project in Nnewi has dragged on for so long and is now considered abandoned. Nnewi feels left out of the programmes of the government on infrastructure. Completely abandoned! There is also a feeling of such abandonment across the entire state. The Awka-Mgbakwu road which has been on for so long is still under construction, years after. Right now, the only ongoing road project in Anambra State that is noteworthy is the Awka to Ekwulobia road. Basically, on infrastructure, there is nothing serious going on. For almost three years, the government has only completed small intercity roads but is yet to complete any project of note.
In terms of administration which this government promised to ensure growth through structural reforms, so far, what has been seen is a state legislature that has almost become a branch of the governor’s office. The legislature is expected to provide the legislative instrument for the reforms, but this expectation falls flat considering the prevailing circumstances. Under this administration, bills are passed into law in a day. Spurious and multiple amendments that challenge the integrity of the legislature are introduced and passed. The latest is the Anambra State Local Government Administration Law 2024, which was heavily protested against but was still passed earlier this week. The government has also failed to set up the Anambra State Investment Corporation which was an important part of its grand vision. There is also no civil service reform as the governor had promised. There are just so many governance challenges and to think that Prof. Soludo’s government is gearing up to campaign for a second term based on the employment of teachers whose monthly take home is not up to N40, 000, is all but telling; revealing just how governance has suffered under the current administration in Anambra State. There are also problems of accountability, as the government cannot point to what it has done with hundreds of billions of Naira received in over two years. To make matters worse, Soludo presided over a heist in the name of a local government election. A few days later, he was bold to come out and call it the freest and fairest election in Nigeria. Such is the tragedy of governance in Anambra State under Governor Soludo.
The governor is also no longer cordial with many leaders of critical segments of the society.
The other factor in the next year’s governorship election is political goodwill and alliance. Soludo who rode to Anambra State Government House on the back of bipartisan support, has not only failed and disappointed his supporters but has also destroyed his goodwill and support. Most Anambra stakeholders who supported Soludo in 2021 are no longer cordial with him. The governor is also no longer cordial with many leaders of critical segments of the society. In over two years, those who said anything aside from praises to Soludo or his government, the governor unleashed his aides on them. In other words, the old accusation that Soludo knows it all, listens to no one , and accepts no criticism or correction has become a significant character of his government.
As it is, there is little doubt that the governor has amassed enough money to prosecute his re-election bid. But every serious opposition is aware of this and prepared for a counter or a suitable match. The APC is seriously preparing for a showdown. With a quality candidate and the party’s support, even if Soludo succeeds in retaking the leadership of APGA before next year’s election, Governor Soludo will still struggle. His epistles and pontification have not matched his works and there is a general disappointment. There will also be political consequences.
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