Anambra 2025: How Politically Strong Is Soludo?

KINGSLEY UBANI 

I will try to make this piece short, but I’m not so sure. My apologies in advance.

As someone who considers himself a member of Anambra’s opposition though under a non-existing political party, since the last political party I publicly associated with, the PDP, is, at least in Anambra state, between the intensive care unit and the morgue, waiting for some miraculous revival. I often itch my head with thoughts on the loopholes that the opposition can utilize to stop Governor Soludo from being reelected in November, and, each time, my thoughts are empty.

In the last few months, I have written two OPEN LETTERS to the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR. The first was on my disappointment at the conduct of the last LGA elections. The second, is entitled, MR GOVERNOR IT’S 9 MONTHS TO YOUR APPRAISAL. You may have read the first one as pinned on my facebook profile, however the second letter did not make it out of my draft. I simply dumped it on the Governor’s personal social media space, if the spirit leads, I may share it publicly, later.

Now, one would wonder who is motivating Kingsley Ubani to write the Governor and discuss governance in Anambra like he was any special person. What are his interests and who are his sponsors? The short reply is, I woke up one day to find out that I have built some small capacity to write something many will consider thoughtful or informative and, at the same time, make them go viral on different political and social platforms in Anambra and beyond. If what I write can shape public opinion or cause any improvement in government, then I have done something.

That said, let me gossip a bit about my unpublished open letter to the Governor. It was a 1023 word piece I wrote on a bored night wherein I informed the governor that the upcoming election is nothing but the appraisal of his performance in nearly 3 years in office. I feared that since he is yet to utter a word about his reelection, he may have forgotten that election is almost here, so I elected to remind him that the election is at hand. The upcoming election will give Ndi Anambra the chance to either say YES to Soludo or Thank you for your service Odenigbo.

In a key paragraph of the letter, I stated that I have come to understand that leaders are meant for different times, and that a good leader can fail to secure the mandate of the people or do well because he is NOT the kind of leader needed at that time.

To buttress my point about leadership and timing, I made some analogies informed by Nelson Mandela’s autobiography entitled Long Walk to Freedom, and the book Zambia Shall Be Free by Former President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda. Mandela’s name may ring more bell than Kaunda, however, both men were Great African leaders who led their nations in crucial times. Mandela’s voluminous autobiography, perfectly captured his 27 years old ordeal in Robben Island and Victor Verster Prisons, which opened my eyes to the fact that great leader are formed through hard and difficult process. It, however occurred to me that Mandela and Kaunda have their names etched in the book of history, not necessarily because of how they led but WHEN THEY LED.

Anambra had a governor who was a lot different from the present Governor. I was a vocal critic of the former governor. But I acknowledge that he was a different kind of leader from the incumbent. I often wonder if he was the leader Anambra needed at the time he led, but you have to admire how he came, did his part, and left like never came. Class act!

When Soludo won in 2021, I wrote several think pieces warning my friends in politics, particularly those who lived large in the last dispensation, that a different kind of leader was coming. Then, I was not talking about the work the then governor-elect will do, but the leadership style he obviously wanted to adopt. To confirm this change in the sound of music in Agu Awka, I recently met a close relation of a serving Commissioner who considered Soludo’s government as “not buoyant”. The confession gave me joy, because by the statement, the individual meant that money was not flowing in the government. If it’s correct, it means that they are not sharing money – our money. Some good news for us outside government. My commiserations to those in government.

As I analyzed the Commissioner’s relative statement, I quickly wondered if the relative knew that the Commissioner would not have been in his position in a “buoyant” government. Prof Soludo’s strategy was clear to some of us who paid attention, and this is not the first time I am writing in admiration of some of his political strategies, even though I’ve had cause to disagree with his government.

The Governor had a strategy that elevated average people to positions they ordinarily would not be able to occupy in a contemporary Nigerian political order, and considering the fact that he was supported and sponsored by persons who were heavyweights in the last administration, such moves can be politically suicidal. If I ever get the chance to meet the Governor, I will ask him, ODENIGBO, HOW DID YOU DO IT? How did you collapse government and government patronage without much resistance. No impeachment rumour, nothing.

The big question! Was Soludo the Governor Anambra needed at the time he was elected. Intrestingly, the facts points on the affirmative. Soludo took over Anambra at a time the state needed infrastructural rebirth and developmental direction. His background as a Professor of Economics, and former CBN Governor seemed to align with the need of the time, hence his election.

At 34 months in office, Odenigbo seemed to have succeeded where I feared most. Not in infrastructure or any developmental area, but in managing the ego of that Anambra politician who conferred special status to himself because he got lucky to serve in government. A position they were only appointed in trust for millions of Ndi Anambra – Home and Abroad. This ability to steady the political ship of interests, and keep even the political wolves at bay, may look easy but believes me, its not!

The governor’s appointment of Commissioners, appointment of Party Leadership and appointment of Permanent Secretaries seemed like a departure from the norm, except of course the election that produced the LGA Chairmen. Upon all this, I didn’t still rate the Governor’s political strength, however, I had to finally bow in recognition of his political prowess after the emergence of a PDP man as Speaker of the State House of Assembly. My friend, Nigeria Henry Mbachu of Labour Party, arguably, the only opposition voice in the state house of assembly, has been left in solitary opposition. 29 – 1 appears to be the scoreline in the 30 member House of Assembly.

Today, times have changed. We are in 2025 – another election year and the question is, What kind of leader does Anambra need at this time. Security is in the front burner and as expected, the opposition parties have pitched their tents there. I must admit that Governor Soludo is just trying to do well in security. I see him and his people sweating to prove that he can not just be a leader in times of economic challenges but also a leaders in time of insecurity.

I watched a video where the Governor, exclaimed “WHO SAY MAN NO DEY” after rolling out plans during the launch of the State’s Special Security Operation, “Udo Ga-Achị. It appears Nwa Ngbafor has stepped up his game as the State’s Security leader, and must now alternate between that and being the economic leader. We will be here to see the impact of the latest moves in the security sector. We pray for the best.

In November, Prof Soludo’s political strength will certainly be put to its biggest test. I once heard him say that he is not a politician. But guys, I have seen enough to shout, IT’S A LIE! Prof can play this game. Anyone who is going into this governorship race thinking that the Governor is a political neophyte may be in for some big surprises. The Professor has exchanged his academic robe for the political one, and as at today, he is ahead of his opponents in the guber race. But can the opposition really scratch Odenigbo? Only time shall tell!

– Kingsley Ubani, 33, is a native of Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka LGA