Soludo’s Nibo visit and manifestation of insensitivity
By Nchee Nwabunnia
It was ordinarily impressive seeing Anambra state governor, Prof Charles Soludo arrive Nibo, Awka south Local Government Area of the state within 24 hours after a recent multiple murder of Youths of the community by suspected cultists.
Many had initially thought it to be a swift response and a show of good leadership. Incidentally, what started as a good move suddenly took a wrong turn by the Governor’s poorly calculated move of turning a condolence visit into a campaign rally. That, to say the least, was the height of insensitivity on his part.
His pledge that the killers would be fished out and made to face the law was soothing, but the thought of many such unresolved murder across Anambra leaves one in doubt about his genuine intentions regarding a secured Anambra. Of late, Anambra seems to be the most insecure state of the south-east. It is more so considering that Awka the seat of power is now as porous as other towns like Ihiala, Umunze, etc., that are on the outskirts of the state.
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The Governor’s lodge/the Police Headquarter and the scene of the Nibo massacre are just about 400 to 500 meters apart – a pointer that no part of the state is safe.
In that case, it becomes ironical seeing Soludo going round the state urging people and market leaders to shun the Monday sit-at-home and go about their businesses. If a community sitting next to the Governor’s lodge and the State Police Headquarters cannot be protected, one then wonders where else can be safe.
Many in Nibo had their hearts torn when a community in mourning was turned into a political rally through the manipulation of some uninformed/ill-informed women by foot soldiers of an obviously unconcerned Governor. More than any other thing, Soludo’s lifeless disposition to the fate of the innocent youths felled in their prime and the plight of their families, showed that he was more interested in his reelection politics than providing the people with good governance.
Protection of life and property of the people remains the primary function of the government at all levels. In Nibo, Anambra government under Soludo, failed.
The misguided visit by the governor also exposed the depth of unpreparedness on the part of Nibo community leadership. Leadership was totally lacking on that scene, to the point that no one, not even a member of the Nibo EXCO or a women leader was handy to at least convey the community’s concerns to the governor or call the hypnotized market women to order.
Turning an otherwise sober visit to a campaign rally of sort, marks another dimension in the series of disappointments Nibo town has been subjected to by the governor, despite the unflinching support he got from the people in his election, three years ago.
It is important to note that the last time Governor Soludo visited Nibo in December 2023, he promised the completion of the only road project in the community in nearly 20 years of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) leadership of the state. The governor had advertised end of March 2024, completion date for the road. But by October 2024, seven months after the same Governor was in Nibo promising to flush out criminality and cultism, with illiterate market women clapping for him.
A more humane administrator would have seen from the frail and gaunt frames of those helpless women who cut images of inmates of concentration camps that they needed practical governance and not the cocktail of propaganda that they are daily fed on.
It is important to make it clear to Governor Soludo that Ndi Nibo are not happy with him as long as his earlier promise to us is still unfulfilled. We can’t take his latest promise serious, as we see it as another agenda at hoodwinking the people as the November 25, 2025 governorship election date in the state has now become more precise. When he starts living up to his promise, we will see reason to take him serious again.
Let no politician, both internally and externally think that the chicken and chicken feed political approach adopted during this latest visit will hold water during the 2025 election. Nibo can only stand with a leader who truly stands with us in times of difficulty and one who ameliorates our suffering at the hour of need. Gov Soludo has not done any of these. Our roads remain abandoned while our security situation is appalling.
Ours is a case of bathing in a river and yet having to experience irritant conjunctivitis that can only be occasioned by lack of sufficient bath water. When shall our narrative change?
Nchee Nwabunnia (Ibobo-Nibo), wrote from Nibo, Anambra State