The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition) in Anambra State, John Chuma Nwosu, has taken a swipe at Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, accusing his administration of failing to deliver on its promises and plunging the state into worsening insecurity and economic decline.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Monday, Nwosu said that nearly half of Anambra’s industries have either shut down or relocated due to rising insecurity and poor infrastructure under the Soludo administration.
“As a matter of fact, in the last three and a half years, Anambra State has lost many illustrious sons and daughters to kidnappers. Communities like Ihiala and Mbosi have become unsafe. People now hold weddings and burials in cities because they can’t go home without paying ransom,” Nwosu lamented.
He accused the Soludo government of “failing to meet the expectations of Ndi Anambra,” describing the state’s current condition as one of economic stagnation, insecurity, and infrastructural neglect.
“Projects Only Exist on Television”
Nwosu dismissed claims by the Soludo administration that it has stabilized the state’s economy and embarked on major infrastructure projects, describing them as “mere propaganda.”
“You can see projects on television, but I can take you round the state to see the reality. Even the Government House project started in 1999 was only completed recently, and nobody knows the cost. Awka is still a glorified village. You can’t drive from Awka to Enugu in less than an hour anymore,” he said.
Nwosu Promises Digital Governance and Transparency
Nwosu, an ICT expert and former Director of ICT for the Labour Party presidential campaign, said that if elected governor in the November 8 election, he would introduce full e-governance to transform Anambra into a model of efficiency, transparency, and innovation.
“Anambra State is not fully computerised. I will introduce e-governance — e-security, e-health, e-tax, e-commerce, and e-transportation. I want to remove touts from the streets and make tax payment seamless, as it is done in Lagos and Enugu,” he said.
The ADC candidate lamented the state’s low internally generated revenue (IGR) despite its vast commercial potential.
“Lagos generated ₦1.26 trillion in IGR last year, Rivers ₦317 billion, Enugu ₦180 billion. But Anambra, seen as the commercial nerve of the southeast, ranked 17th with only ₦42.6 billion. That shows our revenue is going into private pockets,” he stated.
According to him, the state’s revenue system has been captured by corrupt intermediaries and violent touts, who collect levies outside government supervision.
A Coalition Backed by PDP and Labour Party Factions
Nwosu explained that the ADC coalition has evolved into a strong opposition front comprising elements from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party, including loyalists of Mr. Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
“ADC is now a coalition of parties — mostly PDP and Labour — and Mr. Peter Obi’s faction is part of it. My deputy, Chief Dr. Ndubisi Wuobu, is a former PDP state chairman and local government chairman. So it’s a broad platform for credible change,” he revealed.
He said the coalition was driven by a shared desire to restore good governance, economic revival, and participatory democracy in the state.
“I Swore an Affidavit to Serve Only One Term”
Nwosu disclosed that he had taken an oath before a court of law to serve only one term if elected governor, arguing that four years is enough to lay a solid foundation for a digital and transparent government.
“Four years is enough to build a solid foundation. I’ve managed an ICT company for over 31 years. What is needed in governance is efficiency and accountability. I swore an affidavit because I want the people to trust me,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with neighboring states, Nwosu praised governors from the private sector who, according to him, are delivering results through managerial discipline and innovative thinking.
“Look at Enugu and Abia — their governors came from the private sector and are delivering results. That’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to Anambra,” he said.
“50% of Anambra’s Industries Have Relocated”
The ADC candidate expressed concern that industrial flight from Anambra State has reached alarming levels due to insecurity, extortion, and poor infrastructure.
“About 50% of industries in Anambra have either relocated or shut down completely. Investors are leaving because they can’t operate in an environment where insecurity is high and touts control the roads. Soludo has failed to create a business-friendly environment,” Nwosu stated.
He added that insecurity, especially in parts of Ihiala, Nnewi South, and Orumba, has crippled small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and discouraged diaspora investment.
Grassroots Campaign and Call for Credible Polls
Nwosu expressed optimism about his chances in the November 8 election, saying his grassroots-driven campaign has been resonating with voters across communities.
“I believe in organic politics. We are knocking on doors and speaking directly to the people. I tell them not to sell their dignity and their four-year future for ₦20,000. Once we ensure security and protect votes, ADC will win this election,” he said.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that the poll is free, fair, and credible.
“For elections to be free and fair, we must get our internal processes right. INEC must ensure that voting is secret. What fuels vote-buying is when people take pictures of their ballots as proof. That must stop,” he warned.
A Call Against Voter Apathy
In his closing remarks, Nwosu urged Anambra citizens to resist voter apathy and come out en masse to decide the future of their state.
“In the last election, only 10% of registered voters came out. Election is rigged through voter apathy. I’m urging our people to come out en masse and vote for ADC, so we can restore Anambra to its rightful place as the light of the nation,” he said.
Nwosu’s campaign, centered on digital transformation, security reform, and accountability, is positioning him as one of the leading opposition figures in the race, as he continues to challenge the incumbent’s record and rally support for a new political direction in Anambra State.
