Features
Soludo, Okorie: Fresh impetus for stevedoring embattled APGA
Is Chukwuma Charles Soludo in trouble? To many keen observers of events in Anambra State in recent months, yes, is likely to be the answer. The governor’s re-election, from the different angles and indices of critical assessment, appears quite threatened and his political future, quite bleak. Recent events support the contention that the political ground on which he is presently standing is not as solid as the one that brought him to power.
There are several pointers many watchers of events in the state are likely to rely on in arriving at that position. Most prominent among them is perhaps the most critical element, which every assessor or participant looks at from every government official – performance. Here, he does not seem to be smelling roses.
To assess the performance of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), there is only one measure-stick – the Nigerian-Dubai-Taiwan promise he made to the people of the state before his ascendency to power. Long before then, in fact, several years before, Soludo, had sung it as his personal mantra that if ever given the chance to pilot the affairs of the state, he would transform it into a modern and productive enclave similar to Dubai or Taiwan model.
Soludo, or Charlie Nwa-Mgbafo, as he prefers to be addressed, was sworn in as governor on March 17, 2022, after concerning other opponents to the back, prominent among them, Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second, and Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who came next, in the previous year’s governorship election in the state. It is therefore more than two years now, going to the third, still the people and those watching from afar, have been waiting for the promised transformation.
But if there is any attempt at achieving that feat or indeed, any sign of it, they are apparently in oral delivery – mere, puerile, empty words and claims. Nothing in the state suggests that Anambra is inching towards Dubai or Taiwan. There are no tall, glittering buildings illuminating the skies with bright light at night, there are no economic clusters manufacturing all manner of consumer, industrial and other ancillary goods.
Certainly, there are no fashion centres anywhere in the state or designer-products therefrom that march the Dubai or Taiwan model. There are no shopping malls that attract international buyers from across the world. There are neither tourist centres nor monuments attracting global audience or interests, let alone visitation to Anambra State. Indeed, there is nothing of interest in the state that could mark the governor or the state out within the period outside mere words and claims.
Naturally, Soludo and his supporters may point to some roads built by the government. But how much could such structures compare to those in Dubai or Taiwan? Besides, which other government in Nigeria, even in the worst-case scenario did not build a road or two? Roads are the commonest structures every government points to. Even the governments of the late Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Willie Obiano, both competing for the worst records in the history of the state, built roads.
In fact, Obiano even built an airport to boot. Yet, his rating is nowhere near that of Peter Obi, his predecessor or Chris Ngige, before him. Yet again, Soludo, has nothing like an airport or the International Conference Centre that Obiano also built to his name, not to talk about an ambitious industrial firm like the Intafact Bevearages Limited owned by SABMiller, brewers of the popular Hero brand caressing the palates of beer drinkers in the entire South East, established by the Obi government.
But the more compelling factor, even more virulent outside the uninviting image as a distant performer, is the current crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), through which he rode to power in 2022. The party ought to present succour for the former CBN boss in his approaching re-election bid. But that possibility now looks unsure.
The danger of the rug being pulled off the governor’s feet looks quite apparent as things progress in the coming days within the party, which has been in power in the state since 2006, 17 years counting. In other words, the governor could find himself on a lonely road without a party platform soon, if he does not act quickly to turn the table around.
Reports have it that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has recognised Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of APGA. If true, the development is fraught with danger, as it means he might lose the party structure, hitherto resting on Victor Oye, who brought him in and subsequently Sylvester Ezeokenwa, his successor.
Chekwas Okorie, APGA founder and first National Chairman, captured the current rumble in the party that points to the certain vulnerability of Soludo. On July 16, he told reporters in Abuja that the governor was bent on undermining the progress derivable from the change in APGA leadership, which he said was the outcome of a hard-fought battle to wrench it away from the vice grip of the forces that had held it down over the years.
Tracing the journey that led to the current leadership transition, Okorie, who regretted how the party had been dogged by crisis for the past 20 out of its 22 years of existence, was particular about Soludo’s complicity in fuelling the situation in recent years by lending himself to the negative forces, and now by railing against the emergence of the Njoku leadership, even after the battle had been won.
Citing a recent event, where the governor reportedly boasted that he was going to use his connections to ensure that Njoku’s leadership would never come to pass, the former APGA boss, not only warned Soludo of the consequences of his action, but particularly admonished President Bola Tinubu not to lend his weight to the plot to further destabilise the party.
Hear him: “APGA has had enough leadership crises in 20 of its 22 years existence; enough crises to last it for centuries. All we want now is a peaceful environment to re-launch APGA as a national political party that will take its rightful place in Nigeria’s democratic space. It is APGA that provided Governor Peter Obi the platform, the opportunity and the exposure to launch himself as a two term governor of Anambra State and now a key player in national politics.
“This party provided the platform for former Governor Rochas Okorocha to realize his long elusive aspiration to become the governor of Imo State. Governor Willie Obiano is another beneficiary and product of APGA. The Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu used the platform of APGA to re-launch himself to relevance in Nigeria’s political space.
“Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo had made two previous attempts to be governor of Anambra State on the platform of other political parties. He was finally able to achieve his ambition on the platform of APGA. The God we worship will not allow him and his cohorts to destroy our God given party. This will not happen in his life time.
“The God we worship will strengthen Chief Edozie Njoku and endow him and all the leaders of the authentic APGA with the wisdom and fortitude to serve the party diligently, forthrightly, and with the fear of God. We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, especially, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the father of the nation to prevail on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to rein-in whatever that is propelling him to target APGA for destruction.
“I wish to repeat that Professor Chukwuma Soludo joined APGA voluntarily and is at liberty to exit same way without attempting to destroy a house he did not build. I urge the National Chairman of the party, Chief Edozie Njoku and the National Working Committee to immediately write formal petitions to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Chairman, National Judicial Council, the National Security Adviser, major Embassies in Nigeria whose countries practice democracy, the European Union, United Nations etc on this threat to democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria by a single inordinately ambitious man called Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State.”
Okorie, who had accused the governor of threatening not only to sink the party, but kill it completely, should the Njoku leadership eventually endure, would not be the first to accuse Soludo of harbouring a disdainful attitude for the party. Even from within, the governor was said to have seen the party as nothing less than an SPV. He was even said to have ended the veneration of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, which his predecessors had promoted as one of their strategies to entice Ndigbo, having adopted him as the father of the party.
Not only was he said to have stopped wearing attires embossed with Ojukwu’s face, he reportedly removed all the memorabilia and other associated items, to emphasise his aversion. Even though it might be nothing other than a mere allegation, the governor, has obviously not done much to prop APGA, beyond what he met on ground.
In fact, speculations had been rife that the governor actually has one leg in the All Progressives Congress (APC), while retaining his seat through APGA and he would be happier to please the ruling party at the centre than his own party. But even the prospect of joining that platform may not place him on the same spot he is with APGA, where he could be in total control, should he do the needful.
Even if he joins APC today, he would have the likes of the party’s big wig in the state to contend with. Last week, Ifeanyi Uba, the Senator representing Anambra South, who has been angling to take his job, using the federal might, was locked in a meeting with Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC National Chairman. Even a political imbecile could guess the tenor of the meeting. In fact many are emphatic that it was to preempt the governor and check whatever his moves are with the ruling party. How sure then is he that even those egging him on would not lead him to a booby-trap in which the possibility of securing a ticket in the APC, would at best be suspect or at worst, futile.
Besides, even if he uses the immense resources available to him to oil his way through the ruling party, he would certainly employ more of such resources to deal with the consequent political outcome. Even himself ought to know that it is easier for the biblical camel to enter through the eyes of the needle than for APC to win elections in Anambra State. The only way to achieve that would certainly be to force his way through willy-nilly, which has its own consequences in terms of collateral damages.
So, why not take the easy path? What is this path? This is the time for Soludo to seek genuine reconciliation within the party. Just like Okorie observed, the only time APGA enjoyed relative peace was in the first two years of its existence. For the rest, it has been decked with one crisis or the order. Rather than continue fuelling the manifest discontents within the party’s leadership, why not reach out and bring everybody to the same table and genuinely trouble-shoot?
For one, is it not perfidious to promote retaining the chairmanship position of APGA in Anambra from 2004 till date? What is the wisdom? Where is the justice? Indeed, would this not be the best time for Soludo to treat the deadliest cancer that had eaten deep into the soul of the party for two decades now – the genuine appeasement of Chief Chekwas Okorie, who toiled night and day, travelling through the proverbial seven seas and seven forests to make APGA a reality after which he has been denied the fruit of his labour?
It was the late Igwe Osita Agwuna of Enugwu-Ukwu, Igwe Umunri, that once said that he elected not to have a fence in his palace, to allow the unrestricted ingresses and egresses of men and spirits. Let the troubled APGA ship berth either at Agu-Awka or Amawbia and let the stevedoring commence, with Soludo supervising. Surely there are a lot of loading and offloading to be done in APGA.
His success at this critical stage, could release the genie in the magic lamp to smoothen his way back to office much easier than contending with the ferocious spirits awaiting him elsewhere. His ardent critics say too much knowledge, acquired and assumed makes him impervious to advice. Let him prove them wrong for once!
Seyi Adewunmi, President of the Lagos Country Club (LCC), launched into his third term in office on Tuesday, with the eternal words with which William Shakespeare depicted the pleas of King Richard 11 to British noblemen at daggers-drawn in his forecourt, some 431 years ago – forgive, forget, reconcile and be agreed.
It was his way of offering his olive branch to seek healing for members still lacerated with old wounds of the bitter battle for the soul of the club, which ended up in courtrooms after failure to settle it inside the games-room, the tennis courts and other troubleshooting arenas.
Flanked by his wife, Ify, whose contribution he lavishly acknowledged, Adewunmi, at his inauguration at the club’s main hall, apparently recalling the incident, which nearly crippled affairs at the family club, said: “To those who are still aggrieved, I speak to you now, directly and without condition. Whatever the disagreement, the Club is bigger than any single dispute, and its future is far more important than any lingering bitterness.
“Whatever the words that were said or the decisions that felt unjust, I invite you, today, to lay it down. No dispute is worth dividing us. I extend to you my open hand and my open heart. This is your club. It needs you. I need you.
“The chapter we are about to write is better written together and it MUST be written. So please sheathe your swords. Come home. The gates are open, the seats are ready, and the work is too important for any of us to sit it out.”
The President, who was full of praises for the club’s Board of Trustees, was particularly enthused with the contributions of Aare Kola Oyefeso, the leader of the exulted body, whom he described as “a conscience and compass of this club,” for donating his wealth of experience.
Hear him: “To our Board of Trustees, and to Chief Kola Oyefeso in particular, I offer my deepest respect. You have been the still, small voice of wisdom in the seasons of noise.
“Every time this Presidency needed an elder’s hand on the shoulder, you were there. The Management Council and the Board have not merely coexisted during my tenure, we have collaborated, and the Club is better for it. I am indeed very grateful sir.
Expressing similar gratitude to other members of the Management Council Officers and the Chairmen of the various Sections and their Committees as well as the members, he enjoined them to prepare for the task ahead.
He added: “I see you all. I greet you all. And I am profoundly glad to be standing here, still standing, before you today. Let me begin with a confession. When I first stood in this position three years ago, I made promises. Big promises. The kind that sound magnificent from a podium and look somewhat different at seven in the morning when the contractor has not shown up and the cheque has not cleared….but I did not run away.
“I did not make excuses. I did not hide behind procedure or blame my predecessors. I rolled up my sleeves, as you well know I am rather fond of doing, and I worked. Two terms. Hundreds of meetings. Thousands of decisions. One attempted character assassination which, I am glad to report, the character survived.
“And today, you have returned me unopposed for a third and final term. Not because I cannot be challenged. Not because the road ahead is smooth.
“But because you looked at my record, you weighed me as a man, you made your assessment, and you made your verdict. I receive this mandate with the full weight of gratitude and the full fire of purpose. Lagos Country Club — your President is back. And this time, we will finish the work.”
He also expressed gratitude for various members of the club, who had supported in many ways to keep it going, recalling particularly the donation of equipment worth millions of naira by Tunji Amosu, the Vice President of the club, saying such a selfless gesture defined the idea behind LCC as a family club.
Hear him: “He (Amosu) reached into his own pocket, deep into his pocket I might add, and donated equipment worth millions of Naira to our new clinic. Millions. I want to be clear: this was not government allocation. This was not a corporate write-off. This was one man saying, ‘I believe in this Club enough to invest my own resources in its wellbeing.’ That is the spirit of Lagos Country Club at its finest, and it deserves to be celebrated.
“But let me also say that greatness is not only measured in millions. Gifts are never less precious than the grand gesture, and for this reason, I want to honour those who gave what they had, and gave it gladly. Confidence Yunusa (D12848) donated pillows to our clinic, and before you smile, those pillows matter. They speak of someone who thought about the comfort of a sick fellow member on a sick bed. That is love in action.
“Also, Femi Oduwole (D14027) gave us a water dispenser. Clean water. To all who gave in any measure: this Club sees you, this Management Council thanks you, the Board of Trustees appreciates you and history, as I speak is recording you.”
By Sunny Igboanugo
Despite consistent usage, it has remained a powerful reality, the age-long saying that the drum sounds for a great man – in life and at death. Rather than becoming a tiring cliché its reality continues to emerge as demonstrable evidence from time to time.
So, when on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the cap lowered on the head of Ben-Chuks Nwosu – astute lawyer, consummate politician, inimitable humanist, gifted public speaker and foremost community leader, it was not just another historic event, many of which have trailed him over the years, but a clear statement on the persona of the former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly – one meant to capture his import as a man who has conquered his territory and etched his name permanently on the sands of time.
The versatile lawyer and politician, was among the influential figures assembled for special recognition by Igwe Keneth Orizu 111, Monarch of the Nnewi ancient kingdom – one of the iconic traditional stools in Anambra State – to mark his 100 years of age and 62 years on the throne, as one of the features of the historic event.
The monarch, the oldest and longest reigning king in Nigeria was emphatic on why Nwosu made that list – it was an acknowledgement of his positive contributions, not only to the development of the ancient town, but to the advancement of humanity in general through his engagements in many aspects, especially his chosen career of law and his vocation as a politician.
Ostensibly, the royal father wanted to make that statement both as part of the records of his reign and to demonstrate the essence of the biblical saying – to whom much is given, much is expected – and how this son on of Nnewi land had over time, fits that bill perfectly.
For instance, not only the monarch, the people of Anambra, if not the conscious world, bore and still bear witnesses to how, the primus inter pares of the Anambra legislature, Nwosu unsheathed his sword from the scabbards to confront the political hounds that attacked the state at that time, in defence of his territory – democracy.
The echoes of that historic period in the state, have continued to reverberate across the firmament, while the imprimatur has continued to be evident in demonstrably bold terms even now, as the doyen has again donated himself to yet a fresh battle – that of rescuing the people of Anambra from the abyss of despair as the state approaches the edge of the precipice where the current minders are driving it, through bad policies and unwholesome politics.
Currently, the Chief of Staff (CoS) of the John Chuma Nwosu (JCN) Campaign Council, the ex-lawmaker, has become a central voice for the new advocacy in Anambra by JCN – the man, who has taken it as duty to rescue the state and reverse the evil political vehicle, fast galloping towards that inevitable destruction.
Ndubuisi Nwobu, Deputy Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at the hosting of members of the council at a reception organised at his Nnewi country home, shortly after the event at the Igwe’s palace, spared no words in acknowledging this aspect of the former Speaker’s persona, particularly his contributions to both politics and human development in Anambra State and beyond.
Nwosu takes traditional greetings with Igwe Orizu
For Nwobu, himself one of the biggest names in Anambra political arena, bearing the scars of its different political wars, it was a recognition of a fellow warrior in the battlefield and a colleague in arms, whose contributions are vital for the mission at hand.
The former Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who represented the governorship candidate at the event was emphatic in guaranteeing that Nwosu would neither relent or be deterred by the arsenal of war being assembled by the anti-democratic, anti-progressive and clearly negative forces in the state, who seem intent on relentlessly asphyxiating it of life.
Hear him: “There is greater work ahead and I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll live up to expectation, because your passion for the service to mankind is exceptional. Whatever you set your mind on, you pursue it with so much gusto and vigour, as if your life depends on it. For you, there’s always no going back.
“Congratulations. The entire campaign council greets you. We thank you for what you have done and have no hesitation in our belief that with your contributions to this onerous task, we’re going to triumph. Remain strong. May the good Lord continue to strengthen you in the name of Jesus.”
Before Nwobu spoke, Prof. Zelinjo Igweze, Director, Women Mobilisation and Dr. CC Okeke, Deputy Director General (DDG) Political Matters, had also spoken in the same manner, paying glowing tribute to the Nnewi-born political juggernaut.
Ike Iwenofu, accomplished Engineer and Director General of the council, had earlier in his tribute on behalf of the members, also acknowledged Nwosu’s towering profile and invaluable contributions to the campaign efforts.
He wrote: “The entire John Chuma Nwosu Campaign Council bursts with joy as we celebrate our indefatigable Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Barr. Benchuks Nwosu, on this glorious day of honour and recognition by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr. Kenneth Orizu III of Nnewi, during the historic Centenary Birthday Celebration.
“This royal honour is not just a mark of distinction, but a celebration of character — a recognition of your steadfast loyalty, uncommon humility, and tireless service to humanity and our great movement. You have continued to distinguish yourself as a pillar of strength and a shining example of leadership, loyalty, and integrity. Your honour today reflects the values we hold dear — service, excellence, and commitment to the greater good.
“We rejoice with you, Ogbalike Nwachinemelu, and pray that this recognition opens even greater doors of favour, grace, and impact in your journey ahead. A thousand cheers to a worthy son, a noble leader, and a loyal ally!”
Nwosu with Nwobu
But for the man of the moment, the event evoked memories decked in family history, particularly depicting a family of warriors, whose essence was captured in the roles they played in defence of the territorial integrity of the Obuofia Nnewi enclave in the years of yore.
He tells the story: “My father, Nwoke Modo was a warrior and it became his assignment to move from Obuofia to wage wars against our attackers. Where we live now is called Agawana, meaning war trenches. So, Eze Ugbuonyanta, the great grandfather of the person that gave me this title today, named him Ogbalike. That means, when things get tough, he is invited.
“So, when this came up about a year ago, I told the Igwe that I had a senior brother, but they said the knew the history, but that this was given to me in recognition of the special role I played as Speaker, particularly during the impeachment saga (of former governor, Peter Obi.)
“They said I proved some genetic trails when I did not betray him as then Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Council and I did not betray Dr. Dozie Ikedife, who was the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. So, this has been in the making for more than a year. In line with tradition, I had to let my elder brother know and he gave his consent that I could go ahead and take our grandfather’s title. That’s what I have done today. Since he was a warrior, they felt that the role I had played in Anambra politics akin to that of a warrior, hence the title.”
With this historic aspect, it might no longer be surprising to anyone the line the former Speaker is toeing, why his battle-weary body is lacerated with the scars of war and why his path both in politics, law and other endeavours is strewn with courage and forthrightness. It lives in the family – an acknowledgement that Ogbalike Nnewi is not just a title, it is history!
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