Okonkwo Samuel
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has come under scrutiny following the recently conducted local government elections, with a concerned young citizen, Kingsley Ubani, expressing his dismay through an open letter. The letter addresses several issues related to the election process and the Governor’s governance style.
In the letter, Ubani begins by acknowledging Governor Soludo’s passion for leadership, which he believes is evident in the length and detail of the Governor’s past speeches. Ubani references several notable speeches, including the Governor’s 4,810-word inaugural address on March 17, 2022, calling it the longest he has encountered in Nigerian political history. Ubani praises the Governor’s communication skills and cerebral approach to governance, citing speeches like the 1,130-word acceptance speech, “A Divine Journey Whose Time Has Come,” and a 2,340-word speech delivered at the First Graduation Day of the SPPG Pioneer Class of 2021.
However, the open letter quickly shifts focus to the recent local government elections. Ubani expresses disappointment with the outcome, calling the process a “charade” and criticizing the Governor for not upholding the high standards expected of his administration. Ubani writes:
“Saturday’s election was far from historic, double far from transparent, and triple far from being the best so far. It was a sham, to put it mildly! Far from the Soludo standard.”
For those interested in reading the full message, you can access the complete letter here: Full Message.
Ubani further accuses the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), under Soludo’s administration, of failing to ensure a free and fair election, denying the people the chance to choose their local government representatives. He expresses concern that the standards the Governor applied in screening and appointing commissioners and public school teachers were not reflected in the conduct of the local elections.
He also questions the Governor’s silence following the election, noting that several aides of the Governor had published articles praising the transparency of the election process. Ubani rebuts these claims, stating:
“My friends and your aides have done their jobs, but at the same time, they have told bold lies to our faces.”
The letter continues to highlight Ubani’s disillusionment with the election, comparing the conduct of the elections to the flawed elections of 2007 and expressing concern that the Governor may be deviating from his initial values of transparency and good governance.
In a more personal tone, Ubani reminds Governor Soludo of his responsibilities, urging him to remember the promises he made in his inaugural speech and to rectify the mistakes made during the recent elections. He closes the letter with a message of hope, encouraging the Governor to seize the opportunity to redeem himself in future elections:
“The good news is that all hope is not lost. You can still redeem yourself… Seize the moment, make it count, and conduct an election that is worthy of the name!”
Ubani signs off as a 33-year-old native of Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka LGA, leaving the Governor with a final note: “This piece is just 1,809 words. I hope you devote time to read it like I also devote time to read yours.”
