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Opinion: Obiora Okonkwo re-energising opposition in Anambra ahead of November polls
By Dr. Fredrick Onwudiwe
One major topic that has remained popular among politically exposed individuals and pundits in Anambra State is whether opposition politics is dead in the state. The absence of a formidable opposition since the demise of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has raised concerns about the possibility of Governor Soludo being gifted another four years of turmoil, marked by bloodshed and the continued destruction of the state economy.
The paralysis of opposition in the state is a disturbing departure from its traditional role as a democratic watchdog and advocate for the masses. Anambra today is drowning in crises, with insecurity chief among the numerous challenges plaguing the state. Hunger, poverty, violent crimes, communal clashes, and unemployment—leading to youth restiveness—have taken root. Meanwhile, Governor Charles Soludo appears indifferent, seemingly presiding over the suffering of the poor while displaying a lack of effective leadership.
The unfortunate situation engulfing Anambra has stifled its economic potential and human capital development. A recent report revealed that Anambra, once hailed as the safest state in Nigeria by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is now the most unsafe in the Southeast, with levels of instability surpassing even the troubled northeast. This alarming trend has become a significant concern for stakeholders, traditional and religious institutions, business communities, and discerning citizens. Yet, the near-collapse of opposition politics has blurred the hope of millions for a rescue from this governance crisis.
The speculation surrounding Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest for governor has sparked a sense of relief. The Ogidi-born, Russian-trained political economist and academic professor of entrepreneurship has re-energized opposition politics. His potential candidacy has reignited discussions about finding a leader capable of steering Anambra out of its current challenges ahead of the November gubernatorial polls.
Several aspirants are preparing to challenge Governor Soludo, whose leadership has been marked by numerous failures—chief among them, his inability to secure the lives and properties of citizens. However, Professor Okonkwo stands out as the most competent candidate to turn the state’s fortunes around. Anambra, once a thriving commercial hub and the gateway to the Southeast economy, now faces worsening insecurity and economic decline. This crisis calls for a leader with vision, integrity, and the political will to restore stability and prosperity.
Professor Okonkwo’s extensive network, impressive resume, and expertise in national security, combined with his ability to unite stakeholders and institutions, position him as the ideal choice to replace Soludo. His leadership promises to revive Anambra’s glory, ensuring safety, development, and economic growth.
Security is the bedrock of development, and under Soludo’s impotent leadership, Anambra teeters on the brink of collapse. The state’s instability now threatens the entire Southeast region, underscoring the urgency for decisive leadership change. Professor Okonkwo’s high-profile consultations with stakeholders, industrialists, traditional and religious institutions have brought a renewed sense of hope to the electorate. These engagements signal a shift in momentum, with many believing that a brighter future for Anambra is within reach.
In my political analysis, none of the other aspirants vying to unseat Soludo possess the capacity to succeed—except Obiora Okonkwo. His pedigree, network, integrity, and accomplishments, both professionally and personally, are unparalleled. While others may carry baggage in their bid to challenge Soludo, Okonkwo represents the earthquake capable of dismantling Soludo’s reign of terror and bloodletting.
According to Okonkwo, Soludo is a professor of “theory” who has failed to translate his academic credentials into impactful leadership. In contrast, Okonkwo is a practical professor determined to change the narrative that academics make poor leaders. As a businessman with over 2,000 employees, he understands the demands of governance, particularly in security and economic growth.
Unlike Soludo, Professor Okonkwo is a true “homeboy” who understands what Anambra needs in today’s fast-changing world and 21st-century economy. His personal integrity and success in wealth creation will inspire stakeholders to invest in the state’s growth. Soludo, on the other hand, has nothing to show, as he has never built anything—a reflection of his failure as governor.
For the opposition to effectively unseat Soludo and rescue Anambra from its ongoing crisis, building a strong consensus and coalition around Professor Obiora Okonkwo is crucial. Soludo is deeply unpopular and unlikely to secure a second term on his own merits. Instead, he relies on federal support to extend his ineffective leadership while deflecting blame for the insecurity, economic stagnation, and mass suffering plaguing the state.
As the search for a successor to Governor Soludo intensifies, a growing number of discerning voices strongly believe that Professor Obiora Okonkwo embodies the leadership qualities and vision needed to steer Anambra toward progress. With a track record of competence, integrity, and commitment, he is seen as the ideal candidate to address the missteps of the current administration and chart a more inclusive and forward-thinking path for the state.
Should he choose to run, Professor Okonkwo’s candidacy could serve as a rallying point for those seeking true liberation for Anambra from Soludo and his cohorts.
Dr. Onwudiwe is a lecturer, political scientist, and analyst based in Onitsha.
Photo caption: From Left- Co-Founder/Group Executive, ABIS Group Dr. Illiyasu B. Gashinbaki; Deputy Vice President ACCI and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong; Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria Miriam Morales Palmero; Perm Sec Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Dr. Onwusoro Madura Ihemelandu; Representative of Dangote Group Hashem Ahmed; President ACCI Chief Emeka Obegolu; Namibian High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr. Walde Natangwo Ndebashiya; and Mr. Abdulrazaq Sambajo of the Dangote Group, during a visit to the company pavilion at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair on Tuesday.
Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), one of the sponsors of the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, will spotlight the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) during the company’s Special Day.
The Dangote Special Day, scheduled for Friday October 2, will feature a high-level fireside and business interactive session bringing together representatives of Dangote Group, government, the organised private sector and business leaders to examine the transformative role of the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria’s economic development.
According to the company, the interactive session will provide prospective investors, entrepreneurs, business operators and other participants with an opportunity to engage directly with representatives of Dangote Group and gain a better understanding of the refinery’s ongoing IPO and its broader economic significance.
The session, themed “Dangote Refinery, Vision 2030, ACCI and the Economy,” will examine the refinery’s contribution to Nigeria’s energy security, industrialisation, trade, employment generation, taxation and economic growth.
Particular attention will be paid to how increased domestic refining capacity can reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, conserve foreign exchange, strengthen local value chains and create new opportunities for businesses across the petroleum, petrochemical, logistics, manufacturing and services sectors.
The IPO will also feature prominently in the discussions, with participants expected to explore how the public offer can broaden participation in the ownership of one of Africa’s most significant industrial assets, deepen Nigeria’s capital market and provide eligible investors with an opportunity to participate in the country’s ongoing industrial transformation.
The fireside session will bring together senior representatives of Dangote Group, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), government and the wider private sector.
The company said the session would also provide an opportunity to examine Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 and its implications for industrialisation, job creation, local content development, technology transfer, investment and economic diversification.
Beyond the fireside discussion, visitors to the Trade Fair will have the opportunity to engage with the Dangote Group at its pavilion, where the company will showcase a range of products and businesses spanning cement, sugar, salt and seasoning, packaging and other sectors.
Dangote Group’s sustained participation and sponsorship of the Abuja International Trade Fair reflects its continued support for platforms that promote trade, investment, entrepreneurship and stronger linkages between the private sector and government.
The 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is expected to bring together hundreds of exhibitors, businesses, investors, policymakers and members of the public, providing a platform for networking, market access, investment promotion and business-to-business engagement.
The company said it looks forward to welcoming participants to the Dangote Special Day and its pavilion to explore the Group’s products, investment opportunities and potential areas of business collaboration.
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NiMet DG Anosike commends Minister Abubakar Kyari on climate-smart agriculture, urges stakeholders to develop practical, measurable roadmap on weather, climate services
Photo caption: NiMet DG/CEO Prof. Charles Anosike speaking at the strategic dialogue.
Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof Charles Anosike, has commended the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, for his efforts towards promoting climate-smart agriculture.
Anosike also urged stakeholders in the agriculture and good sector, to develop a practical, inclusive and measurable roadmap for integrating weather and climate services into decision-making across the sector’s value chain.
The NiMet boss stated this in his goodwill message at a National Strategic Dialogue on the Preparation of the AGROW Component 2.2 – National Implementation Strategy and Digital Agriculture Architecture, organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security under the World Bank-supported Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value Chain (AGROW) Project.
The dialogue, held under the theme, “Building a Unified, Inclusive and Future-Ready Digital Agriculture Ecosystem for a More Productive, Resilient and Food-Secure Nigeria,” brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening Nigeria’s digital agriculture ecosystem.
Anosike confirmed NiMet’s commitment to strengthening weather and climate information services for farmers as part of efforts to build a more productive, resilient and food-secure agricultural sector in Nigeria.
He said the dialogue was important to NiMet given its mandate to provide weather and climate information that protects lives, supports livelihoods and enables informed planning across climate-sensitive sectors.
According to Anosike, climate variability, changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather events are increasingly affecting agriculture, making timely and reliable climate information critical to agricultural planning and decision-making.
He noted that NiMet provides Seasonal Climate Predictions, regular weather updates, agric meteorological services and impact-based advisories to help farmers make informed decisions on planting, water and input management, while reducing avoidable losses.
Some participants at the dialogue.
He emphasized the importance of digital agriculture as a critical pathway for translating climate information into practical, farm-level action and also highlighted NiMet’s partnerships with Tomorrow.io and MTN on the Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) System, which is designed to deliver location specific weather advisories to farmers through mobile SMS.
The above, Anosike said, was in addition to NiMet’s collaboration with the Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale) to strengthen the integration of AI-based weather forecasting with digital advisory systems.
He stressed the need for digital agricultural services to reach farmers through accessible and trusted channels, noting that collaboration with extension services, technology providers, telecommunications companies, community radio and farmer organisations would be essential for effective last-mile delivery.
The NiMet CEO also emphasised the importance of making such services responsive to farmers’ realities, including language, literacy, connectivity, affordability and gender inclusion, while involving farmers in the development of climate services.
He concluded his remark by expressing optimism that the dialogue would advance climate-smart, digitally enabled and farmer-centred agriculture, while reaffirming NiMet’s readiness to provide the technical leadership needed to strengthen climate services, support food security and build resilient livelihoods in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday disclosed that his government has created 650,000 jobs through its National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinics in 19 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Tinubu also vowed to remove all bottlenecks militating against Nigerians turning ideas and skills into successful businesses.
The President made this known via his verified X handle, @officialABAT and explained that a tailor should not need millions of naira to buy industrial machinery before she can grow her business while a food processor should not have to build a factory before producing at scale.
This, he stated, informed why the Federal Government, “under our Renewed Hope administration, is investing in shared MSME hubs through our National MSME Clinics, giving entrepreneurs access to modern equipment, reliable power and production facilities without carrying the full cost alone.”
According to Tinubu: “Today, 21 shared facilities across 19 states and the FCT are supporting businesses and an estimated 650,000 jobs. ReadPolitical News
“Nigerians do not lack ideas, skill or ambition. Too often, they lack access to the tools and infrastructure needed to turn them into successful businesses.
“Our job is to remove those barriers.
“When small businesses can produce more, at lower cost, they become more competitive. They grow. They employ more people. They create income and opportunity for Nigerian families.
“Giving Nigerian enterprise the tools to succeed is how we build prosperity from the ground up. That is the Nigeria we are building.”
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