By Austen AKHAGBEME:
It is noteworthy, intriguing and comforting that history has just been made in Anambra state, nay Nigeria, as Prof Charles Soludo stands before Justice Onoche Anyachebelu, the Chief Judge of the state, to be sworn in as the new Governor of Anambra State.
It is fascinating and particularly so because of the personality of the new governor and the bags of expectations from both local and international spheres from a great public servant, renowned liberal economist, public intellectual and teacher, theorist, central banker and grassroots politician.
Anambra state, in recent past, have had the rear privilege of being governed by some serious minded political leaders. It is equally a ground of political theatrics, fierce power play by fathered political blocs and their cronies.
In the recent past, former Governor Chris Ngige and the quintessential Sir Peter Obi readily comes to mind. Despite Ngige’s turbulent tenure, it was on record that he sure did well in terms of physical infrastructures.
Peter Obi on the other hand, was the prudent and meticulous spender of state resources such that he left behind an enviable balance sheet for his successor to improve upon.
Today, the stakes and public expectations are higher not only because a Daniel has come to judgement but also because opportunity has come to meet with preparedness. Like a round peg in a round hole, Soludo seems to be all that ndi Anambra were waiting for.
These feelings and expectations puts Governor Soludo on an edge to pull out of his rich arsenal, all that is necessary to reposition Anambra state on the right trajectory of growth and development.
His call for peace and the dire need to interrogate the purpose of IPOB and ESN vis-a-vis what he called the “conspiracy of silence of stakeholders” is a step in the right direction to stem the tide of the raging insecurity bedevilling the State. For Professor Soludo, the time to match political theories and political thoughts with action are now.
- Austen AKHAGBEME is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online
