…Accuses Gov of reneging on campaign promises
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Swedish-based AI entrepreneur and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Pharm. Ikeagwuonwu Chinedu Klinsmann, has raised alarm over the worsening security situation in Anambra State, claiming the state is “under siege by criminals.”
In a statement on Monday, Klinsmann accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of failing to protect lives and property, alleging that insecurity in the state has escalated under the current administration.
“One of the most glaring failures of Soludo’s administration is the worsening security situation in Anambra,” he said.
Klinsmann recalled that during his campaign, Soludo had promised to rid the state of “unknown gunmen” and restore security. However, according to him, violence, kidnappings, robberies, and communal clashes have increased since Soludo took office.
He argued that, with higher federal allocations due to fuel subsidy removal, state governors have more resources at their disposal and no excuse not to adequately fund security operations.
“Soludo has unprecedented funds at his disposal, yet he has not demonstrated the political will to deploy them effectively for the protection of lives and property,” Klinsmann stated.
Describing the governor’s governance philosophy as hypocritical, he said, “Soludo claims to preserve what works, yet the state’s security architecture is broken. His inaction is undermining communities and crippling economic activities.”
Klinsmann also took a swipe at Soludo’s recent lecture titled “If It’s Not Broken, Why Mend It?”, which he claimed was an attempt to project an image of visionary leadership. He described the lecture as “riddled with hypocrisy” and a reflection of the governor’s failure to deliver on promises.
“As the November 8, 2025 governorship election draws near, Ndi Anambra must reject empty rhetoric and demand accountability for a state that is undeniably broken under Soludo’s leadership,” he urged.
According to him, while Soludo advocates continuity of functional systems, “his governance record shows a deterioration in key sectors such as infrastructure, local governance, and economic empowerment.”
He further accused Soludo of ignoring the July 2024 Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the financial autonomy of local governments.
“Despite championing efficient governance structures in his lecture, Soludo’s administration continues to undermine the Supreme Court ruling by channeling local government allocations through a joint state account, deducting a percentage before disbursement,” Klinsmann alleged.
He described this as “a deliberate hijack of local government funds, which has stifled grassroots development and rendered local councils powerless.”
On infrastructure, Klinsmann criticized the governor for celebrating what he described as “minor achievements” while the state’s critical needs remain unaddressed.
He mocked Soludo’s widely publicized visit to Olumbanasaa, calling it “a political show with no real impact,” noting that “the roads remain impassable and the promised Primary Health Centre is yet to be completed.”
He also faulted the governor’s focus on “cosmetic projects” like water fountains and amusement parks, arguing that “Anambra deserves more than beautification while basic infrastructure crumbles and refuse heaps litter the streets.”
On economic empowerment, Klinsmann claimed Soludo has failed to fulfill his campaign promises. He cited the closure of the Onitsha Bridge Head Drug Market by NAFDAC as a missed opportunity for the governor to show leadership.
“Rather than constructively engaging with federal agencies to resolve the issue of fake drugs, Soludo resorted to blaming the Nigeria Customs Service—a clear case of political grandstanding,” he said.
Klinsmann also accused the governor of suppressing opposition voices in the state, alleging that Soludo’s administration has been involved in the removal of opposition campaign billboards.
He acknowledged the ongoing construction of the Government House as a positive step but argued that it “does not compensate for the broader governance failures.”
“Soludo wants to be praised for a new Government House while our people live in fear and our roads remain death traps. This is not leadership; it is misplacement of priorities,” Klinsmann said.
He mocked the recent wave of resignations from Soludo’s cabinet, including that of Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Chief Jude Emecheta, describing it as “a clear sign of internal fracture and growing discontent.”
“When your closest allies start abandoning ship, it’s evident the system is broken. Soludo cannot claim to preserve what works when even his team is walking away,” he said.
Klinsmann insisted that the Soludo administration has failed to live up to its promises and urged the electorate to vote for change in the upcoming governorship poll.
“Soludo’s lecture was a clever disguise for inaction. He has had his chance to fix Anambra’s broken systems and has failed. On November 8, 2025, let us mend Anambra by voting him out,” Klinsmann declared.
He concluded by describing the growing support for the APC governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, as “evidence of a shifting political tide in Anambra.”
