“In Governor Willie Obiano’s two terms of eight years, there was no mention of local government election” —Ebuka Onyekwelu For over a decade, Anambra State has not conducted a local government election. The last local government election in Anambra State was conducted by Governor Peter Obi, just three months before his exit as governor, after two terms of eight years. It is not clear if what Obi conducted can be rightly regarded as an election,...

“People must make it a duty to invest in their intellect and personal development at any cost they can afford” —Ebuka Onyekwelu In the past two years since leaving office as the Chief of Protocol and Deputy Chief of Staff to Anambra’s former governor, Uzu Okagbue has set a remarkable personal example in self-development. This is evident in his quest to learn more and re-learn. There are several proven correlations between performance and training or...

“The Zoning argument that the governor has to come from Anambra South might play to Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah’s advantage” —Ebuka Onyekwelu The general anthem about the APC in Anambra State in the upcoming governorship election is that after the party’s primary election, it will experience an implosion that will weaken its position and render it incapable of competing against, for instance, APGA. To start with, it is perhaps no more seriously argued that the 2025...

“It is important to at least acknowledge that there is something that makes Rivers attractive to trouble or trouble attractive to Rivers,” —Ebuka Onyekwelu In many ways, Rivers State politics is an interesting game to behold. There is no former governor of Rivers State who never had an eye on the Presidency of Nigeria. Also, there have been none of those governors since 1999, without a life-defining political battle. Without prevarication, both the ambition and...

“Every government project embarked upon and completed is an addition to public infrastructure.” —Ebuka Onyekwelu A few months ago, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo was the subject of negative reviews because his administration decided to build a 10-storey hotel in Awka, the state capital. The basic argument was that government has no business with building hotels and that the focus must be on the government channelling lean resources to where they are most needed and not...

“How has the current administration utilized Anambra’s comparative advantage in commerce and industry?” —Ebuka Onyekwelu In a few months, the 2025 Anambra State governorship election would take full shape. Only two days ago, there were reports that the senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, has expressed an interest to contest the number one political office in Anambra State. Sen. Ubah is expected to mount his bid on the stables of the All...

“ECOWAS Commission now has a direct interface with projects they sponsor and also, they monitor progress closely” —Ebuka Onyekwelu In the last week of March 2024, the ECOWAS Commission team led by Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture at the Commission, visited Anambra State to witness the graduation of 150 Anambra youths sponsored for training on table fish production by the Commission. During this visit, the ECOWAS Commission’s team took the liberty...

“Catchphrases such as “solution is here” or “Soludo solution” have successfully replaced those of the past, such as “Odera, o de go” or “Willie is working” among many others.” —Ebuka Onyekwelu It is today exactly two years since Prof. Chukwuma Soludo assumed office as the executive governor of Anambra State, amidst exceedingly high expectations from the people. Halfway into his four-year tenure, what has stood out for the government? On the other hand, how has...

“Why are they not concerned that Chioma could raise such serious allegations against a brand and not able to substantiate her claims? “ —Ebuka Onyekwelu There is a growing trend in Nigeria’s social space where a minority armed with the internet, now wants to dictate what choices people make and how they must respond to any situation. As ridiculous as this may seem, the seriousness and dedication with which some of these Nigerians especially on...