By Ikeugonna Eleke
A Labour Party aspirant for this year’s Guber Election in Anambra State, Mr John Nwosu, has blamed the attitude of the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, of not involving stakeholders in tackling the chaotic security situation in the state, for the lingering insecurity.
Nwosu who said in his X handle (formerly twitter) that Anambra had become topical and extremely dangerous, regretted that Gov Soludo had failed to consult or partner with stakeholders and cohorts who might assist it in tackling the prevailing problems.
He stated that it was rather sad as it reflected on the state very poorly and, in real terms, impacted negatively on the quality of life, commerce, capital, tourism, travel and the overall mindset of the people of Anambra at home and abroad.
His words, ‘I have consistently faulted the incumbent administration for its failure to meet the minimal threshold of its responsibility to protect Anambra Citizens and those who may, by chance, visit or pass through Anambra.
‘Anambra State Government can apply soft power or hard power in solving challenges confronting the state. An incumbent member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Justice Azuka, is still being held captive by kidnappers.
Four recently kidnapped members of the clergy and religious, have been released. To my knowledge Gov Soludo has not publicly commented on the kidnapped House of Assembly member or liaised with his colleagues in the State Assembly to strategise on the modalities for tackling this issue in particular, and kidnappings and insecurity in general.
‘Leadership is about deploying best practices; as well as having the humility to ask for expert opinion and assistance where and when specially needed.
‘Insecurity erodes and negates any effort to create an enabling environment. The Soludo Administration may do well to take the lead on these and other matters or get out of the way.’
Nwosu further said, ‘The on-going cosmetic face-lift of existing infrastructure is most deceptive and underlines the government’s insincerity of purpose. Such ploys are not reality and they are not concrete.
‘Getting pro-government apologists to ridicule and attack those who constructively criticise the governance limitations in Anambra, including the clergy and traditional rulers, is simply defeatist.
‘Government is not infallible. And Anambra is not bereft of leadership talents and resources. But since this APGA-led Administration has defaulted to the pedestrian mode of governance, there is an urgent need for a leadership change. This point should not be thrashed or beclouded with undue sentiments.’
He said that Anambra State was in severe strains under Gov Soludo’s watch and had become badly broken and needed to be fixed urgently.
‘Yet the fixing cannot be done by Gov Soludo who publicly reneged on his core campaign promise. He was given the opportunity and he squandered it. A second chance for him will be most catastrophic for Anambra State.
‘Anyone who supports a second term for Gov Soludo does not love Anambra. The time has come for Soludo to move on and return to theory, while allowing room for those with foresight, humility and sense of practice of application of the core tenets of good governance to remedy Anambra State,’ Nwosu stated.
