Key Takeaways
- Peter Obi's media office has urged Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo to focus on governance rather than engaging in political attacks against the former governor.
- The criticism follows alleged statements from the Anambra State Government's official X handle, calling on voters to reject Obi.
- Obi's camp raised concerns about the state's handling of flood preparedness, urban development, and alleged misuse of public resources for political campaigns.
- Allegations include Soludo's preoccupation with Obi during executive council meetings and a decline in Anambra's economic performance under the current administration.
- The media office emphasized Obi's continued grassroots support and called on state stakeholders to intervene for better governance.
ABUJA – The media office of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a strong rebuke to the Anambra State Government, urging Governor Chukwuma Soludo to redirect his focus from political attacks to the pressing challenges of state governance. This call to action comes in response to alleged campaigns by the state government, particularly targeting voters and supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to reject the former governor.
In a statement released on Monday, Idris Zekeri Jnr, spokesman for Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), characterized the ongoing campaign against Obi as an 'unnecessary political distraction.' Zekeri appealed to Anambra's elders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders to intervene and encourage Governor Soludo to concentrate on the state's critical issues.
The controversy ignited after a statement, reportedly posted on the Anambra State Government's official X handle by the governor's New Media office, explicitly urged voters to reject Obi. Invoking the poignant Igbo expression, “adịghị eburu onye ara ara n’ahịa” — which roughly translates to 'one does not join a mad person in the public square' — Obi's camp indicated its preference not to engage in what it deemed an unproductive political exchange.
Governance Under Scrutiny
Zekeri further alleged that Governor Soludo has devoted considerable attention to Obi during executive council meetings, claiming that some insiders within the administration have voiced concerns about the governor's preoccupation with his predecessor. The POMR spokesman argued that the state's leadership should channel its energy into effective governance rather than engaging in partisan political exchanges with Obi.
The media office also questioned the state government's preparedness and response to recent flooding incidents, alleging that warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) were not adequately acted upon. Zekeri cited discussions from a recent meeting in Port Harcourt, which he said highlighted Anambra's insufficient preparedness for floods that tragically claimed lives in the state.
Recalling Obi's tenure as governor, Zekeri noted that the state had engaged UN-Habitat to develop comprehensive master and structural plans for major cities, including Onitsha. He alleged that the Soludo administration has failed to sufficiently build upon these foundational plans, accusing it of prioritizing political activities over long-term urban development and infrastructure.
Allegations of Online Warfare and Economic Decline
The Obi camp escalated its claims by alleging that the state government had mobilized over 500 online operatives to attack the former governor, with plans to expand this network to 1,000. It claimed that recruits were allegedly promised opportunities to nominate individuals for state engagements based on their performance in producing 'critical online content.' These allegations, however, were not independently substantiated in the statement provided.
Describing the alleged online campaign as a 'misuse of public resources,' Obi's media office urged the administration to address pressing concerns over infrastructure, public spending, and service delivery. “Instead of obsessing over Obi, the governor should use those hours to tour Anambra and see how state funds are being wasted on roads that crumble while construction is still ongoing,” Zekeri stated, highlighting the perceived misallocation of governmental focus.
On economic performance, the Obi camp referenced the Phillips Consulting State Performance Index, claiming that Anambra had plummeted from first position during Obi's tenure to 27th under the current administration. It also contrasted the federal allocations available to the two administrations, claiming Obi operated with an average monthly allocation of about ₦3 billion, compared with approximately ₦25 billion allegedly available to the current government, questioning the impact of the increased funds.
The statement also cited public receptions for Obi at Nnewi Cathedral and during the coronation of the Igwe of Adazi-Ani, arguing that the former governor retains significant grassroots support in the state, despite the alleged political campaigns against him. Concerns were further raised about the administration's record in education, including infrastructure development in tertiary institutions and the state's performance in National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations. Issues such as waste management, erosion control, and the general condition of roads across the state were also highlighted as areas where the government had allegedly not adequately addressed challenges.
Why This Matters
This public spat underscores the ongoing political tensions within Anambra State, particularly between an incumbent governor and a popular former leader who has ascended to national prominence. The allegations of misdirected governmental focus, misuse of public resources, and declining state performance, if proven true, could significantly impact public trust and the effectiveness of governance, highlighting the critical need for political leaders to prioritize development and public welfare over partisan rivalries.