Our Reporter, New York
Former Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, James Eze, has accused Professor Charles Soludo-led Anambra State Government of not communicating with the people of the state.
He made the remarks during an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica on Sunday.
“The problem we have had in Anambra State is that for the most part of the Soludo administration, the government had not responded to incidents of crime and criminality. No broadcast or any form of address about them,” he asserted.
The poet narrated how the Willie Obiano government, under which he served as a speechwriter, regularly updated the state residents on government activities, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said a government should always keep the people abreast; otherwise, speculation will take over.
“That’s why the situation in Anambra State seems blown out of proportion because the Soludo government is not telling the people what’s going on,” Mr. Eze said.
The award-winning poet buttressed his point on the reaction of the Prof. Soludo administration to the kidnapping incident in the state involving a crew of Super Sports journalists heading to Uyo to cover an AFCON qualifier match. He said a crime of such a magnitude, whose victims even include foreign nationals, did not elicit any official statement from the government.
“That sort of crime, the government ought to issue a statement on what happened and what they are doing about the situation,” the political analyst stated.
“There have been many such incidents of insecurity in the state that the government has failed to address and that is what the issue is.”
“The government should carry the people along so that they will be aware of the efforts they are making. A government that enjoys our mandate should know they owe us speech, not silence, at crucial moments.”
When asked if Prof. Soludo has done enough to deserve a second term, the journalist said only the people of Anambra can determine that.
“If Ndi Anambra feel sufficiently disenchanted with the Soludo leadership, they know what to do,” he said.
He, however, expressed his desire for the governor to have an opportunity to correct his mistakes and provide needed leadership not only for Anambra State but for the entire South-East zone.
