Anambra’s APC contender for the 2025 Governorship election, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has condemned the silence and inaction of the government of Anambra State, led by Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, since the disappearance of Archbishop, Most Rev Godwin Okpala. It is now nearly two weeks since the Nnewi Anglican Diocese Bishop emeritus was reported missing after attending a burial at Umuchu, in Governor Soludo’s Aguata LGA.
In a strong statement issued on Thursday, Sir Paul Chukwuma described the disappearance of Bishop Okpala, who is over 70 years old as “heinous and unforgivable,” as well as condemned the act as “barbaric and cowardly.” Regretting the silence and inaction of Anambra State Government, Sir Paul Chukwuma regarded it as “shameful.” According to Mr. Chukwuma, “This is an egregious assault on our collective humanity and an affront to the moral and religious fabric of Anambra State. Archbishop Okpala is not just a man of God but a symbol of peace, hope, and service to our people. His continued detention alongside his driver is a dark stain on the conscience of this state”, he said.
Anambra State has generally descended into a free-for-all of sorts for criminal actors, much so that kidnapping has attained near normalcy and people now form groups to raise ransom money for kidnapped victims. As of today, Big Ben, co-owner of Dubai Estate in Awka has been missing for over one month without any trace. This pattern has become more unsettling given the silence of the government. The disappearance of over 70-year-old Archbishop Okpala is just one of such countless cases witnessed in Anambra daily. In response, Sir Paul Chukwuma said that the government’s behaviour towards this anarchy is reprehensible. “The state government’s inaction is not just disappointing; it is outright reprehensible. The silence of Governor Soludo in the face of this unfortunate, and incident smacks of gross negligence and insensitivity. It is shameful for (nearly two weeks) we have seen no concrete steps, no assurances, and no visible efforts to secure the release of Archbishop Okpalaand his driver,” Chukwuma regretted.
Speaking further, Mr. Chukwuma asked Governor Soludo to quickly get to work. “Enough of the empty rhetoric. Governor Soludo must wake up to the insecurity ravaging this State. If this administration cannot guarantee the safety of a man of Archbishop Okpala’s stature, what hope is there for the ordinary Anambra citizen? The governor must act now, not tomorrow.”
Sir Paul Chukwuma also called on Ndi Anambra to rise up and demand for the immediate release of Archbishop Okpala, while urging security agencies to step up their efforts to restore order in Anambra State. This he said reiterating that “Anambra State cannot afford to descend deeper into the raging chaos. It is time for Governor Soludo to stop making promises and start delivering results,” Paul Chukwuma concluded.
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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