The Cost Of Soludo Inaction: Part 1
If the reports from the Soludo media team regarding the security situation in Anambra State over the last two days are credible, viz: the bursting of criminal dens in Ogbunka, Amawbia, Abagana, and other hideouts of these non-state actors, then the Governor has inadvertently validated our long-held criticisms of his administration. Many of us have consistently argued that the sudden surge in insecurity in Anambra State is deliberate and a conspiracy involving the government itself. This assertion is not made lightly. The criminal elements wreaking havoc were neither invincible nor extraordinarily powerful; the real issue has been the lax approach with which the Soludo administration has handled security in the state since coming to power.
From the onset, the Governor permitted these criminal elements to operate unchecked, while the state’s security apparatus was crippled by inadequate funding. Despite the availability of security votes and substantial donations from concerned citizens at various town hall meetings in Lagos and Abuja, the government failed to utilize these resources effectively. For three years, Governor Soludo turned a deaf ear to calls for increased support for security agencies, leaving police, army, and local vigilante groups grossly underfunded. Instead, communities were left to defend themselves, setting up trust funds for their own protection, even as they continued to pay taxes that funded the Governor’s monthly ₦2 billion security votes.
While the recent efforts to address insecurity are commendable, they must be sustained and not merely a publicity stunt aimed at deflecting attention from a deeply embarrassing situation, especially with just months to go before the next gubernatorial elections. The Governor’s reputation is in tatters, and his administration has become increasingly difficult to sell, even among rural communities that once held high hopes for his reign. Perhaps many thought he was the messiah they longed for, only to see him become the emperor who watched as his subjects were maimed, butchered, and their remains sauced for human barbecue. These same communities have borne the brunt of the bloodshed that has marred his tenure.
The controversial security law, hastily passed by the State Assembly, appears more like a religious agenda than a genuine attempt to tackle insecurity. The Agụnaechemba and Udogachi initiatives seem more like campaign slogans than sustainable security strategies. The grim reality remains: the countless lives lost to ransom-driven kidnappings, crimes, and other acts of violence over the past 34 months are a direct consequence of the government’s inaction. This administration must accept its culpability in fostering an environment where insecurity thrived.
Furthermore, the attacks on EBUBEMUNSO for urging the government to act and save lives were completely unjustified. Now that the government appears to have adopted his recommendations, will it show the humility to apologize for vilifying him? His warnings about the precarious security situation in Anambra have been proven right, and the government’s prior inaction stands as a clear indictment of its impotence and neglect. Will Mefor and other rag-tag of the Governor humble themselves before the priest, admit their foolery, and make amends for their misguided actions?
There is nothing to celebrate; rather, it is a clear indication of the government’s complicity and role in the reign of terror in the state. But lest we forget, Hon. Azuka, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, is still being held captive by his abductors; Ezemma Ben (The Big Ben) has been missing for two months since his abduction in Awka, the state capital; many other low-profile citizens remain in the hands of their abductors, while countless others have met untimely deaths. Truly, there is nothing to celebrate amidst the social media frenzy.
Charles Ezeonyeagwana teacher and farmer writes from Oko
