Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Traders and residents of Ochanja market area and Fegge neighbourhood in Onitsha, Anambra State, Wednesday, staged a peaceful protest against politicians in the state.
The protesters warned against any attempt to distract Governor Chukwuma Soludo with propaganda.
They carried placards with varying inscriptions, calling on politicians to avoid distracting the governor, and also commending him for the standard of the roads he has built in the state so far.
There has been a trending video of a road built by Soludo which was washed off by rainfall on Monday in the area, but the traders described it as mere propaganda aimed at distracting the governor.
Leader of the rally, Chief Okwudili Obinwanne, who spoke to journalists said they are protesting against the antics of desperate politicians who are sparing no effort in attempt to discredit the good work that Governor Soludo is doing in Ochanja, Onitsha and Anambra State as a whole.
He said: “As far as we are concerned nothing is wrong with the road. The contractor was putting the initial layer of asphalt on the road when the very first major rain in Anambra fell with the attendant flood unseating the hot asphalt that is yet to settle on the stone base and cement stabilisation components that had earlier been compacted on the stretch of road.
“As far as we know, nothing happened to warrant the recriminations and campaign of calumny being carried against Soludo and his government.
“For over four decades, subsequent governments have come and gone, without thinking of reconstructing or doing any meaningful palliative on the Ochanja road. Before now, the road was one dusty and cratered stretch that never crossed the previous governors’ minds.
“But within two years of Soludo’s administration our story changed in a manner that beat their imagination. Moreso, the quality of roads are Julius Berger standard, with street lights to match. We will not tolerate any politician that dares to play dirty politics with our welfare.”
