Professor Obiora Okonkwo has raised concerns about Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s leadership in Anambra State, criticizing his handling of security and economic issues. In an interview with Vanguard Newspaper, Okonkwo revealed how Soludo’s policies are turning the state into a “ghost state.”
In a revealing interview with Vanguard Newspaper, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines and a former governorship candidate, has expressed deep concerns over the governance of Anambra State under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Okonkwo, a seasoned political economist, did not hold back in his assessment, stating that Soludo’s administration is taking the state in the wrong direction, particularly in terms of security and economic management.
Obiora Okonkwo disclosed that he had been quiet for some time to allow the government to settle in and deliver on its promises, but the continuous decline of the state has forced him to speak out. According to him, Soludo’s approach to governance is driven by personal ego rather than addressing the pressing needs of the people.
“I’ve watched and waited for over two years to see if there would be significant improvements, but the situation in Anambra is going from bad to worse,” Okonkwo stated. He cited the rising insecurity, which has turned the state into what he describes as a “ghost state,” and the lack of any visible investment in security infrastructure.
He further accused Soludo of presiding over a deteriorating economic situation, where multiple taxes and crude revenue collection methods are suffocating local businesses. Okonkwo remarked that this lack of proper governance has led to a mass exodus of people from Anambra, with many opting to host their social and economic activities outside the state due to fear of insecurity and extortion.
“People used to flock to Anambra for big events like chieftaincy titles, marriages, and funerals. These events supported local businesses, but now, the insecurity and taxation policies are driving everyone away,” Okonkwo lamented.
Obiora Okonkwo also questioned the governor’s handling of local government funds, accusing him of stifling local government development by withholding their funds and leaving many areas, particularly his hometown Ogidi in Idemili North LGA, with no tangible development.
“Soludo is the problem, not the solution,” Obiora Okonkwo stated emphatically, countering the narrative pushed by Soludo’s supporters that he is the answer to the state’s challenges. Okonkwo accused the governor of being an “intellectual narcissist” who does not take into account the needs of the people.
When asked whether he was being too harsh on the governor given the complexity of security management, Obiora Okonkwo insisted that Soludo, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, must take responsibility. He criticized Soludo’s alleged misuse of security votes, claiming that the governor receives about N2 billion monthly for security purposes, but spends a fraction of that.
Obiora Okonkwo’s remarks highlight the growing discontent among key political figures in Anambra over the state’s direction under Soludo’s leadership. His comments signal that the governor’s second-term ambitions may face significant challenges as more voices from the state’s elite begin to express their dissatisfaction.
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