Soludo: Anambra Now Safe, Residents Can Sleep With Both Eyes Closed

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State says the state has regained peace and security under his administration, claiming that residents can now “sleep with both eyes closed.”

Soludo, who is seeking a second term in the November 8 governorship election, said that upon assuming office, insecurity had engulfed parts of the state, with eight local government areas — including the once-dreaded Ihiala — completely taken over by non-state actors.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the governor said his administration’s resolve to protect lives and property — one of the five pillars of his government — has restored calm across the state.

“Before we came into office, nobody could even wear anything that suggested you were a politician. Dr. (Chike) Akunyili was killed simply because he had a policeman in his car,” Soludo recalled.

“Most of the police stations were burnt down, and even soldiers were decimated by these criminal elements. Eight local governments you couldn’t travel to. And now, everybody can sleep with their two eyes closed.”

He said security agencies now operate freely, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) successfully conducted voter registration in all 326 wards across the state — a feat he described as proof of stability.

On the issue of the Monday sit-at-home order, Soludo said it had largely ended, insisting that anyone still staying home does so out of personal choice, not fear.

“Monday sit-at-home is largely over here. Anybody sitting at home now is doing so out of preference, not because of insecurity,” he said.

On Nnamdi Kanu and a United Nigeria

Addressing the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Soludo expressed optimism that Kanu would be released soon.

“When Nnamdi Kanu comes out — because we believe he will — we will sit down to interrogate our alternative vision for Igboland,” he said.

“My vision is for us to build a livable and prosperous homeland. We need Nigeria, and Nigeria needs us.”

On APGA and Defection Rumours

Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), dismissed claims that the party lacks national relevance or that he plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“APGA is like a religion in Anambra; it is loved by the people. I collaborate with President Bola Tinubu to keep Nigeria going — that doesn’t mean I’m joining the APC,” he stated.