Soludo’s Campaign Rally in Ihiala: An Open Insult to the Sensibility of Ndi Ihiala
It is no longer news that Governor Charles Soludo, on the 15th of this month, made his first-ever official visit to Ihiala Local Government Area for a campaign rally. Coincidentally, the last time he visited Ihiala around this time four years ago was also for his campaign rally. It is interesting because, this visit to Ihiala since assuming office as Governor of Anambra State unmasked Professor Soludo’s willful neglect of Ihiala LGA.
Ihiala Local Government has borne a heavy share of the insecurity ravaging parts of the South East. Many communities have become ghost towns, their residents displaced, and their spirits dampened. Yet, through all these difficult times, Governor Soludo never deemed it necessary to visit Ihiala — not even once to sympathize with, encourage, or reassure the people.
During his speech at the rally, Governor Soludo claimed that no political party was able to campaign in Ihiala during the 2021 governorship election. This claim is completely false. Val Ozigbo of the PDP, Senator Andy Uba of the APC, and the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the YPP all held open campaign rallies at Odata Central School Field, Ihiala, without the presence of heavy security. It is worth reminding Professor Soludo that it was the rerun election in Ihiala that secured his victory in 2021 — Ihiala made him governor.
Ironically, it was only the APGA campaign rally that witnessed violence, despite the overwhelming presence of security operatives. To date, those who sustained injuries or bullet wounds for Soludo and APGA have been abandoned by the same people they risked their lives for. Neither the governor nor his party has taken responsibility for their medical bills — a shameful betrayal of loyalty.
During his recent visit to Odata Primary School for the APGA campaign rally, Soludo once again displayed his disdain for Ndi Ihiala. He walked straight from his vehicle to greet party members and went immediately to the podium, refusing to sit at the VIP section prepared for him. Traditional rulers present were denied the opportunity to perform the customary kola nut presentation and royal blessings — a deep cultural insult to the people of Ihiala.
To worsen matters, the APGA local government chairman was not allowed to present his address, and the local government Mayor was equally silenced. Instead, Soludo called one person from the newly recruited teachers and another from his “One Youth, Two Skills” empowerment scheme to make brief statements — claiming they had turned ₦300,000 into millions. The governor then spoke for over two hours, repeating his familiar tune of propaganda and empty promises. Under Professor Charles Soludo, governance in Anambra State has been reduced to a mere theatre of lies and political showmanship.
In a dramatic twist, Soludo presented six men he described as “our brothers in the bush,” claiming they had surrendered their arms and accepted rehabilitation. Strangely, all six men wore campaign materials branded “Solution is Here.” If these individuals are truly repentant militants awaiting rehabilitation, why were they already dressed in APGA campaign outfits? Even more disturbing is that none of them hail from Ihiala. If that’s the case, why choose Ihiala — a community already traumatised by insecurity — as the stage to unveil them?
To Ndi APGA Ihiala, I sympathize deeply. Yours is the burden of smiling through pain — trying to stay close to a power structure that has deliberately marginalized your people. But the truth remains: Ihiala Local Government deserves better — respect, fairness, and leadership that values its people, not one that mocks their suffering for political optics.
While governor Soludo might be thinking along his personal conviction that we have short memories and would always align with power, against reason and dignity, the people of Ihiala will demonstrate to the entire world that they are a people of dignity.
Ihiala will vote enmass for YPP’s Sir Paul Chukwuma and Uzu Okagbue, who have treated and continue to treat the people of Ihiala with utmost courtesy and respect. Ihiala will vote for Sir Paul Chukwuma, who has demonstrated a clear road map to put the insecurity in Ihiala, and Anambra South to an end.
@SPC Media
