By Izuchukwu Adichie
Governor Soludo has made the upcoming 2025 election particularly challenging for opposition candidates. Anyone contesting against him faces the tough task of convincing Ndi Anambra that his governance is not meeting their needs. What can the opposition possibly say to the residents of Okpoko—formerly the largest slum in West Africa but now transformed into a “New Heaven”? Can they claim to be the solution, despite traders in Onitsha markets already experiencing the positive impacts of Soludo’s governance, including the elimination of touting (agbero) and the return of customers from Cotonou, Benin Republic, and other parts of the country to shop in Onitsha?
The question arises as to why opposition parties would want to embarrass themselves before Ndi Anambra East, Ogbaru, Onitsha South, Ayamelum, and Anambra West, who have been without a general hospital but now witness firsthand the benefits of Soludo’s solutions. What fabrications could they use to convince the people of Amansea-Ezinator-Ndiukwuenu-Awa-Ufuma that the roads Soludo built for them, after years of abandonment and suffering, are not real?
Currently, there is a revolution of pipe-borne water and road construction taking place across the state, with an average of 10 kilometers of brand-new roads being paved each month, utilizing the highest quality materials available. How can the opposition address agrarian communities like Amansea-Ebenebe-Ugbene-Ugbenu-Awba Ofemili, and Miata Anam – Nzam in Anambra West the food basket of the state, that are seeing paved roads for the first time since their creation, significantly improving their ability to transport farm produce?
Anambra families, including those of opposition members, are benefiting from Soludo’s free, high-quality, compulsory education, as well as free antenatal care, delivery services, and a state health insurance scheme. What misinformation could the opposition spread to undermine the “Farm to Feed” initiative, the annual Economic Seedling distribution policy shared through Umunna (kinsmen), the One Youth – Two Skills Program, and the Solution Innovation District’s digital skills training that has empowered thousands of youth? How would they downplay these significant government policies?
Soludo has employed 8,115 teachers and 1,000 health workers to end the era of schools without teachers and hospitals without doctors becoming the first Anambra governor to implement minimum wage with its consequential adjustment even paying above 70,000 naira federal government standard. Meanwhile, dilapidated schools, general hospitals, and primary health centers are being rehabilitated, while the government continues to provide subventions to returned mission schools, posts teachers, and pays their monthly salaries, costing about 1.2 billion naira. Pipe-borne water is now reaching communities that previously lacked access to clean water supply.
What lies will the opposition tell the communities in Awka about the new Government House, the governor’s lodge, the new Awka 2.0, and the International Hotel currently under construction? What about the permanent site of the Solution Innovation District and Solution Funcity? What falsehoods will they spread regarding the new Onitsha 2.0, the developments in Fegge, and the transformed Ochanja Roundabout? What misleading claims will they make about the Oba Drug Warehouse and Trauma Center in Awka?
With Soludo’s government being ranked number one in financial prudence and transparency in Nigeria, and the Anambra state First Family being without daily drama as we have seen in the past, is an ample reason to re-electing Soludo for a second term. Indeed, Soludo has made the upcoming 2025 election particularly challenging for any opposition candidate seeking to contest against him.
