It is barely one month to the Anambra State governorship poll. Why is the opposition alleging that there is a gradual weakening of purposeful governance in the state?
Let me tell you this. Anambra people are very angry. They are agitating against Soludo’s government, with audacity. Social media messages directed at the governor are many. Each emphasises discontent, disappointment, and deep concerns about insecurity. There are also complaints about the high-handedness of government agents with ample evidence of brutality.
Clearly, governance has gone to the dogs. And that’s the truth. In this day and age, you don’t use rough club-stick methods to collect taxes when technology apps exist for that purpose.
Based on our findings, we urge Nigerians to take active interest in the Anambra State governorship election to see how far the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has improved in its election management strategies.
They should not be distracted by the impending exit of the INEC chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood, and how his successor would emerge, but show the greater interest in how the commission itself as an institution has matured with the rich lessons it has gathered from periodic elections since 1999.
Are you among those who claim that Enugu and Abia governors are showing measurable impacts of performance?
Good governance is about visible service delivery and the responsibility to protect the citizens. Both are anchored on the people being satisfied enough to trust the government and benefitting from measurable and sustainable development. Both are also confidence building measures. Without any doubt, Anambra is distantly behind Enugu and Abia in terms of comparative governance, service delivery, and project execution. As an Anambra citizen and politician, I’m deeply saddened. Ndi Anambra, generally, are not happy with Soludo’s performance after nearly four years. A second term for him will be rewarding underperformance and hollow promises.
In line with my offer to serve out the remaining four years available for Anambra South, I have been talking to our people about how the ADC government will kick of by focusing on the two issues of greatest concern to our dear state, namely, insecurity and over taxation.
And, you may wish to know that coming from the private sector like Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, I believe that governing a commercial state such as Anambra State requires determination, planning and focus to achievement results within two years.
So, we leading our people to become very conversant with ADC’s SHEEEMS developmental model for Anambra State and they are eager to begin to see evidence of good governance from day one instead of boastful grammar and street side banters.
You have toured the 177 communities in Anambra State. What is your impression?
Governance and infrastructural decay are evident. There seems to be no maintenance culture. Roads, and public facilities are all crumbling. Even new roads are below standard. Many are being washed away daily. Many building are also collapsing, as never before. So enforcement of regulations is very lax. But insecurity concerns dominate most communities. Several are under siege. Generally, there is no simultaneous development, across board. These factors alone compel leadership change.
I could with every sense of modesty that among the gladiators, the people disclosed that only the ADC as a party that was speaking to the issues without maligning anybody. With that revelation I am aware that when we are sworn in as governor on March 17, 2026, Anambra people have something to hold us to account and put our feet to the fire.
Between rediscovery or recovery, which do you propose for the state?I dare say, both. Under Soludo, his penchant for cosmetics aside, Anambra is a shadow of itself. So we need to rediscover the state both in terms of quality of life, and governance. We also need recovery from the frightening and deplorable state of insecurity under Soludo’s watch. Since the era of Bakassi, it has never been this bad. One of my campaign mantra is, let’s secure Anambra again.
How is the campaign going?
I will tell you. It was the governor who declared that progressives, that is All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are working together, by which he means that APC and APGA have become one, that is APCGA.
And, indeed, they are united in their record of disappointment for the Anambra people, especially in the area of security and citizens’ welfare. So, the balloting on November 8 has become very east for our people, because they have the ADC as the credible alternative.
Our seven-point SHEEEMS agenda is an assured social contract that guarantees focused attention on Security Health Education Economy, Environment Markets and Social Welfare for the people. What is more, ADC parades a balanced religious ticket comprising a catholic and an Anglican, because my running mate, Dr Ndubuisi Nwobu, an Anglican comes from Anambra Central Senatorial Zone.
Together, we satisfy the zoning arrangement that guides the distribution of political offices among the three Senatorial Districts of the state.
How far do you think that your SHEEEMS agenda can go to rekindle hope in governance in Anambra State?
SHEEEMS, acronym for security, health, education, economy, environment, markets and social welfare, is a holistic governance, service delivery and simultaneous development strategy targeted at every LGA and every community. It ensures that no community is left behind and impacts every facets of personal and community life. We are inclined to adopting and adapting to best practices. SHEEEMS seek to replicate the ANIDS governance model. It will offer policy and project ownership to Ndi Anambra. For instance, the traditional rulers, and presidents-general will participate in the state budget formulation forum, as it pertains to projects in their respective communities. Only them can prioritize their needs. Such modalities ought to rekindle hope, transparency, trust, and excellence.
What impact do you intend to make in one term of four years, what approach do you intend to undertake to achieve those lofty goals?
First, with my commitment to do only one term, I will not have the undue burden of re-election. My focus is to leave an indelible legacy and provide a solid foundation for continuity regardless of who succeeds me.
Our budgetary processes, policies, programmes and projects, will all be results-based, and in the public domain. Transparency and accountability will be prioritized. We are not going to start new projects, if there are abandoned or incomplete projects that can be done at lower costs. Whatever we do, will be enhanced by seamless deployment of AI and hightect.
We will lay greater emphasis on cutting the cost of governance and doing more with less. Naturally, we will partner with development partners, as well as domestic and foreign investors. To make these possible, our first priority is to secure Anambra, make it safe and create an enabling environment.
Anambra North Senatorial District holds the ace as the kingmaker and decider of the November 8 poll. Has ADC done enough in that axis?
We have constructively, respectfully, and quietly engaged prominent stakeholders in Anambra North. This includes leaders of faith-based institutions, traditional rulers, and captains of industry. I’m from Anambra South. My deputy, Dr Ndubuisi Nwobu, is from Anambra central.
So, the interests of our respective zones are catered for. We, therefore, need to assure Anambra North that they have a vested interest in becoming the undisputed kingmakers. Look at it this way, out of respect for zoning, a majority of the candidates are from the Anambra South. Likewise, a majority of the deputies.
I am among those who think that the votes of those zones will be shared. The Anambra North bloc votes will go to the candidate that Anambra North people, especially parts of disenfranchised Anambra North, can trust.
What has Soludo done for the people of Aguleri Otu or Ogwu Ikpele? These are the two oil producing communities in Anambra. Even as host communities, they have no roads and enjoy limited government presence. It is in the interest of Anambra North bloc to support ADC and, in doing so, pivot to the national framework in due course.
There have been concerns that ADC and Labour Party may split their votes if the candidates of the two parties do not unite behind a common candidate in line with the coalition designs. What can you say about that postulation?
Vote splitting is a possibility. But the ADC is not in crisis like the LP. Indeed, does the LP have an authentic candidate, as per the recent Supreme Court ruling pertaining to the leadership of that party? Look, I don’t want to be distracted by other people’s problems. ADC is the national coalition party. Others may wish to join us. When they arrive, we will already be seated at the table. That’s the fact.
Would former Governor Peter Obi’s support for any candidate in the election be a plus or minus?
With due respect, I would rather not be drawn into such a controversy. The facts speak for themselves. Only His Excellency, Peter Obi, can speak to his game plan. From media reports, he aligned with ADC from the very start. He also seems to be still entrenched in very fractured LP. He has publicly campaigned for ADC and LP candidates. I can’t tell a master politician how to make his bed. Neither can I speak on issues of electoral assets and liabilities. I try to avoid undue controversies.