Anambra In Trouble With Soludo

ULOKA CHIBUIKE 

Governor Charles Soludo rose to prominence after the 2017 Gubernatorial election in Anambra State, particularly following Dr. Willie Obiano’s re-election. Despite initially supporting Obiano for the purpose of being favoured for succession, Soludo’s “If Not Broken Why Mend It” slogan, emphasizing Anambra’s purported lack of issues, gained traction, possibly due to the visible projects initiated by Obiano. These projects, which included flyovers in the capital city of Awka and in rural Anambra West and a host of others, an international airport, convention center, oxygen plant, and the community-based Choose Your Project initiative, may have contributed to Soludo’s “If Not Broken” statement, resulting in widespread support for Obiano.

When Dr. Willie Obiano nominated Charles Soludo as his successor, expectations were high. As the first professor and an internationally acclaimed figure to become Anambra’s governor, Soludo’s choice was met with anticipation. However, within just two years, concerns about the state of governance have emerged, indicating a need for not just an urgent intervention, but to permanently root out APGA from Agụ-Awka.

While every administration has its supporters and critics, Soludo’s administration has failed to earn the organic support of the people. Instead, a few sycophants are using excessive propaganda and media tactics to force incompetence upon the public. Dissenting voices are being threatened with insecurity, further highlighting the troubles faced under Soludo’s governance.

Anambra is in trouble with Soludo as Governor. The state has regressed significantly and is now a mere shadow of its former self. Anambra has fallen into bondage and struggles while the majority of its residents suffer from mass poverty, and other pandemic possible with ineffective governance.

During the last Gubernatorial election, Soludo was seen as a suitable alternative to succeed Dr. Willie Obiano due to the priorities of the state and the failure of other popular candidates to secure their party tickets. His campaign promised to transform Anambra into a bustling city with job opportunities and improved quality of life resonated with the people. Many believed that Anambra, with its growing economy, needed new direction and a leader who could attract foreign direct investments to bridge the infrastructural gap in the state. However, two years into Soludo’s term, it appears that he has abandoned his promises and failed to prioritize the needs of the people despite his unwritten contract with them.

While it’s unrealistic to expect all ambitious goals to be achieved within a short time frame, a leader committed to transformation should at least lay the groundwork for these projects. Unfortunately, Soludo has shown little willingness to attract development or fulfill his manifesto. Instead, he seems fixated on empty promises and lacks the willpower to achieve anything substantial. This poses a significant problem for the state.

In just 18 months, Soludo’s predecessor has already left his mark on landmark projects and intangible projects; in the case of Soludo, he appears to be lost and stranded in the middle of nowhere with nothing significant but recurring substandard roads in a few corners of the state for the sake of media headlines rather than benefiting the people.

The recently proposed budget for the 2024 calendar year reflects Soludo’s intention to destroy rather than transform Anambra. The budget, prepared by an inexperienced consultant, showcases incompetence and a lack of transparency within Soludo’s administration. With over 50% deficit, the budget serves as a mere academic exercise to exploit the state treasury while neglecting the needs of the young population and vulnerable citizens in dire need of direction, nor the infrastructural gap in the state.

It is criminal for the Governor to allocate thirty billion naira solely for his office while education and healthcare receive paltry sums. Despite consistently allocating seventeen billion naira for security votes, Anambra remains the state with the highest insecurity in the Southeast region. Soludo’s proposal to build a Presidential Lodge, political appointee quarters, branded hotel, and recreation centers with scarce resources showcases his misplaced priorities. With the majority of Anambra residents lacking basic amenities and clean water supply, Soludo’s focus on frivolity further highlights the trouble faced under his leadership and why Anambra has remained in bondage with his administration.

Although six billion naira has so far been allocated for the completion of the Anambra International Airport, no visible infrastructure has been added under Soludo’s watch. The only notable change is the renaming of the airport, yet the allocated funds remain unaccounted for.

Ironically, Soludo, who campaigned on cutting down the cost of governance, has become extravagant with public funds. In the 2024 budget, fifty billion naira is earmarked for the Governor’s personal use, including trivial expenses like mobile phone recharges and internet bills, newspapers and magazines, amongst others. With only 40% of the budget proposal being attainable, the Governor’s personal spending accounts for about 23% of the total budget. This suggests that little will be done for the state, turning the 2024 budget into an academic exercise intended for media headlines.

Soludo’s administration prides itself on fighting criminality and vices, yet these issues have thrived due to his failure to provide jobs and opportunities for the youth. Approximately 68% of Anambra’s population is either unemployed or under-employed, and labeling the jobless youth as touts is a death sentence rather than a solution.

The boasts of job creation and youth millionaires created through coconut seedlings, as well as the training of 20,000 (invincible) young people in diverse skills, are somewhat irritating to our senses. Perhaps a further achievement of the Soludo administration to bridge the unemployment gap is the claims of employing 5,000 teachers and 300 doctors out of the state’s estimated 12 million people, this simply demonstrates Soludo’s failure, incompetence and lack of ideas to implement his visions.

The lack of emphasis on attracted multinational industries, visible private sectors investments, and foreign direct investments raises doubts about the administration’s commitment to economic growth and transformations. The focus on handing out coconut seedlings to create jobs and alleviate poverty as according the governor’s special adviser, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu is nothing but an acid spat on our faces. The Special Adviser’s claims further erode confidence in the Soludo administration.

Anambra is facing considerable challenges under Governor Charles Soludo’s leadership. The administration’s failure to fulfill promises, questionable budget allocations, and lack of tangible progress raises concern.

Furthermore, Mr. Obiogbolu’s remark in defense and support of the Soludo government, despite its obvious flaws, demonstrates that the Government House has become a haven for persons who lack any sense of responsibility, morals, or deficiency.

We are in trouble!

– ULOKA, Chibuike
A public policy analyst and good governance advocate. 
Ulokachuks@yahoo.com