Labour Party stalwart and frontline Governorship hopeful in Anambra State, Mr Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, has accused Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and his government of living in denial over the lingering insecurity in the State.
He warned of the risks of taking the people of the State for granted on this issue, which he stated, is what is already happening.
Decrying that the State government have refused to acknowledge the overwhelming negative effects of insecurity in the movement of people of people and conduct of their daily lives, Ozigbo called on Governor Soludo to own up and implement his ‘Contract With Anambra People’ governing document in which he spelt out how he would secure and safeguard the lives and property of the people of the State.
In a statement by his Media office, the former President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Transcorp Plc tasked the government to see the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government as enshrined in Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and double up efforts to work with relevant federal and community-based efforts to ensure that the people of the State don’t start conducting burial, marriages and other ceremonies outside the homeland.
The full statement reads: “It seems that when it comes to public discourse on governance issues, the government of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo have reclined itself to shutting out outside opinions. Otherwise, how does one explain their reaction to a well-thought-out expose of the lingering insecurity in Anambra State by Mr Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, Labour Party stalwart and frontline Governorship hopeful in the State?
“This confirms our fears all along – that Governor Soludo and his aides are indeed shielding themselves from reality. They are living in denial about what Ndi Anambra are going through especially the lingering insecurity which they are dismissing as non-existent or normal because, to them, it happens everywhere else.
“We believe they are running away from the truth about their failure to secure the State simply because it is too brazen and too painful for the Governor and his government to accept. But this posture can be ignored if they are running their personal affairs. When it is about governance and security of our dear Anambra State, then, it is unhealthy, not only for Ndi Anambra but especially for the Governor.
“We refuse to agree that they have become experts at giving reasons for failure because we know that rhetoric is no substitute for action. But with every new day, it is becoming clear that the Governor has washed his hands off anything security as he is waiting for the federal government to come and guarantee it.
“According to the Governor’s Spokesman, Christian Aburime, Ndi Anambra should bear with him as his government “can only supplement and support” the failed federal efforts to secure the State. Or as Aburime noted, nothing can be done by the government until the issue of State Police is resolved in favour of the federating units.
“Yet, we all know that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 declares that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government.
“By its reaction to a patriotic plea by Valentine Ozigbo to reverse gear and focus on the major issue, the State government have jettisoned the security and welfare of the people in pursuit of vainglorious inanities.
“It is clear that lacking the much-trumpeted Solution, they have resorted to name-calling, mudslinging, and traducement. Yet, at the minimum, all Ozigbo has asked of the Governor is to repair the broken “Contract With Anambra People” which are encapsulated in his governing documents – Anambra Vision 2070—a 50-Year Development Plan, The Soludo Solution: A People’s Manifesto for a Greater Anambra and “The Transition Committee (Combined) Report. The security sector is not indeed broken and therefore this is the time to fix it.
“In his presentations and even the WakeUpSeries, Ozigbo has given elaborate substantive ideas on the way out but the deaf ears of the Governor are still at play, which should not be. He should know that no one individual has a monopoly on ideas. He should adhere strictly to the implementation of his “Contract With Anambra People” especially on insecurity. Then, he should listen to the well-meaning advice from stakeholders in the State, including Ozigbo. His attitude is stifling the growth of our homeland.
“Perhaps, we may remind the Governor that his Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, a few days ago authored a piece titled ‘Soludo Invites Illustrious Sons and Daughters of Anambra State To Embrace Public Community Private Partnership.’ This has become imperative as investments are not coming into the State and citizens rarely travel to the villages as before because of the prevailing fear of the unknown.
“This has stalled his Public Community Private Partnership (PCPP) where the State Government and individuals and groups were to partner and engage in developing specific projects (schools, health facilities, roads, water projects, etc) in respective communities and local governments. But without addressing the fundamental issue of security, it will be challenging to convince the illustrious sons and daughters of Anambra State to invest in the PCPP initiative.
“Yet, the Governor and his officials keep denying that there is high insecurity in the State and only employ preposterous words to try and shoot down anyone who raises concerns about real issues being faced by the citizens.
“What is undeniable is that insecurity creates an environment where potential investors and partners are hesitant to commit their resources. No matter how lofty the phonetics, people will be reluctant to invest in a State where their safety and that of their investments, workers and loved ones are not assured. Governor Soludo should realize that pointing this out does not require any clapback or any name-calling. What is needed is for him to roll his sleeves and work with available resources to restore security in the State which will bring in local and foreign investors.
“Perhaps, what needs to be told is that part of the reason Ndi Anambra elected Governor Soludo is to secure the State, knowing there was pervasive insecurity. It is not to defend the indefensible that “State Governors are severely limited in their exercise of powers to secure their respective states without recourse to the federal government!” This is known and it is expected that as a former top federal government official and close ally and appointee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) government, this would not be a challenge.
“Ndi Anambra would never find comfort in the Governor’s Spokesman’s assertion that “no society in the world, no matter how advanced, is free from security challenges.”
“Of what use is the establishment of the Ministry of Homeland Affairs when people cannot feel secure in their homes? People need to feel the effects. Otherwise, the preponderance of Ndi Anambra to organize burials, weddings and anniversaries outside the homestead will continue. Surprisingly, the government isn’t worried. I don’t think most people within the “liberated” Local Government Areas of Anambra South Senatorial zone can freely go home as they used to because things have fallen apart.
“This is no time for groundless diatribes as the government has been inundated with solutions they ignored, the same way they threw away the “Contract With Anambra People” which the Governor willingly signed but has refused to implement. Penning countless reactions against well-meaning advice and exhortation would not change the reality that Ndi Anambra want the whole of their State back. It is not an impossible task. It is not just the priority of this government.”
