By Michael Amakeze
Oscar Wilde in his 1889 essay, The Decay of Lying, declared that life imitates art far more than art imitates life. Some of his contemporaries kicked against his postulations, arguing instead that art is an imitation of life. Events in history, however, have proven him right, time and again. The recent announcement of Governor Chukwuma Soludo as the Sun Governor of the Year Award recipient seemed like a plot taken from a book authored by Mario Puzo. In fact, it is a strange genre of fiction, an uncommon example of life imitating art.
The press publication states that the “Governor of Anambra State Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo has emerged as The Sun Newspaper “Governor of the Year 2024” in recognition of his excellent performance in governance with laudable achievements in his infrastructural and transformational advancement of the state…” I have frantically searched for the governance metrics used by the Editorial Board of The Sun Newspaper that helped them arrive at their unpopular and rather misguided decision if not shady and have found none. Perhaps, quite unlike them, I am a carnal man limited in the flesh and by physical sight, while the Editorial Board members see in the spirit. Thus, it could have been that the meaning of the word “transformation” had undergone a major drift in the semantics of their spiritual language, and without any shred of doubt, had eluded carnal men like me.
Security of lives and property is the primary and most fundamental purpose of government. It is the pillar upon which every other developmental effort rests on. Section 14 is clear and unequivocal on this declaration. It follows that the failure of the government in this most important function is akin to failure in every other metric. In other words, every other accomplishment without security remains baseless and meaningless. Borrowing a legalese maxim that was propounded in the case of UAC V MACFOY, you can’t build something on nothing and expect it to stand. “Nothing” in this context becomes insecurity. It fosters a Hobbesian state where life is nasty, brutish and short.
Soludo’s Anambra is a modern day Hobbesian state and it is because he has not treated security with the seriousness and constant, resolute, unceasing engagement that it deserves. Kidnapping is booming because there are no consequences. The outlaws who run the kidnap franchise are confident that nothing will happen to them under the current administration. And so splinter groups emerge every day and new camps flourish in their devilish schemes. For a Governor who promised to deliver a 24hr economy, night life is long gone in his State and the requiem duly conducted.
The litany of reported kidnap victims is a very lengthy one. Many of who don’t get to survive the ordeal. Some others may never get over the psychological torture the experience gave them. Driving a modern SUV in Anambra today is extreme sport. You will need an overdose of formula 1 driving skills and prayers sprinkled with fasting if you must make it home. Under Soludo’s government, people conduct the burials of their loved ones outside of their home towns. Very recently, Ken Maduakor had the funeral service of his mum at Nnewi even though he hails from Azia. Chief Dr Mrs Nkoli Imoh (Adadioramma Ukpor) had to move the funeral events of her dad to the Basilica of the Holy Trinity Field, Onitsha. The popular singer Flavour had to hold the burial ceremony of his father in Enugu, and the list rages on. Soludo himself who should be the chief security officer and marketer of the State took his daughter’s wedding to Abuja. Like lawyers would always say, the fact speaks for itself. Awka has turned to a cult related killings capital of Nigeria. Sometime last year, it was reported that over seven persons lost their lives in a single day and there was no outrage from the seat of power. Not a whimper. No visible strategy on how to tackle the dire situation.
Anambra used to thrive on commerce. Now it is witnessing a developmental still birth. It is bleeding profusely with no first aid in sight. Businesses are relocating massively. The village economy that used to be sustained by returnees is shrinking because people are afraid to hold events, to visit their ancestral homes and renew that emotional connection with home, a fundamental character of the Igbos. Anambra State has a massive pool of human resources in vast disciplines and human endeavours, and perhaps more than any other State in this country. Anambra has the highest per capita asset base. When the Governor chants “Aku ruo ulo” without the corresponding security of lives, it becomes sweet nonsense.
Away from the issue of security, It is embarrassing and worrisome for a Professor of Economics to legalize thuggery in the name of revenue collection and cloth questionable characters who have unchecked propensity for violence with government uniform. Governor Soludo’s reign has been so far uninspiring and lacklustre. His “Solution” mantra is now stale music and his Anambra Vision 2070 has proven to be another forgotten rim of paper in the library of aborted dreams. His so called exposure and international connection has not reflected on the fortunes of the State.
In Igbo cosmology, power is valued, but greater emphasis is placed on control hence the name Njide ka (Control is greater). It is the control of power that enables proper utilization and allocation of it for the greater good. Intentional collective progress cannot happen with the haphazard individual approach to development. Anambra yearns for someone who will innovatively lead the shift in societal aspirations and help the people achieve communal prosperity. Soludo is simply not that person.
So I ask the Editorial Board of the Sun, on what basis was Soludo named the Governor of the year?
Michael Amakeze can be reached on [email protected]
