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Dear Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo,
I hope this message finds you basking in the euphoria of your daughter Adaora’s recent nuptials. First and foremost, allow me to extend my most heartfelt congratulations on this momentous occasion. A wedding, after all, is a time of celebration, and in this case, it must have been especially delightful to witness such joy in your household after what has undoubtedly been a tumultuous political season.
How fitting it must have felt for the wedding to be celebrated away from the hustle and bustle of Anambra, particularly in the scenic embrace of our nation’s capital, Abuja. I’m sure there were very compelling reasons for not hosting the ceremony in your own state, Awka, the capital you have so diligently served. Perhaps it was the fear of unpredictable security situations? Or was it the ever-expanding list of infrastructure challenges? Ah, but I digress.
It must have been a spectacular event, Governor. A real testament to the state of affairs in Anambra that dignitaries and well-wishers had to leave their homes and endure the grueling journey from Awka to Abuja. A journey that, tragically, wasn’t smooth for everyone. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that some of your esteemed guests faced unspeakable tragedies on their way to the capital. Accidents, injuries, and even fatalities have been reported. Such grim events should not mar a joyous celebration, but alas, the road to Abuja is long and perilous, particularly when traveling from a state where roads are, at best, in a sorry state.
I imagine the decision to host the wedding in Abuja was not taken lightly. One might speculate that you wished to offer your daughter the best of everything, far from the dust, potholes, and general malaise that define so many Anambra roads today. It is, after all, a time to be surrounded by beauty and comfort, and surely, one would not want to subject guests to the treacherous conditions of our state’s roads—roads that, I’m sure you’ll agree, could use a bit of work. Or a lot of work, as the case may be.
Which brings me to a pressing matter—your governance. You see, Governor Soludo, many in Anambra had high hopes for your tenure. The promise of an economic revival, world-class infrastructure, and a peaceful state where businesses could thrive was tantalizing. Yet, as time has gone on, it seems that the realities of governance have become somewhat more challenging than anticipated.
I recall with a heavy heart the passionate letter you penned to Mr. Peter Obi during the heat of the electoral campaign. In it, you questioned his achievements, derided his investments, and boldly proclaimed that his chances of success were next to nothing. It was a letter that sparked much debate and, if I may say so, set the stage for what many hoped would be a demonstration of your superior leadership skills. And yet, here we are.
I must ask, Governor, how do you feel about your accomplishments thus far? The roads, the hospitals, the schools—are they all as you envisioned? And how about the businesses that are groaning under the weight of high taxes and poor infrastructure? Are they thriving as you promised they would? The people of Anambra—those who couldn’t make it to Abuja for the wedding—are waiting with bated breath to hear about the grand successes of your administration.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the unfortunate absence of local government elections. It was a key promise during your campaign, and yet, here we are, with yet another cycle of transition committee chairmen appointed without the voice of the people being heard. Perhaps you are saving that for the second half of your tenure? Or perhaps, like the wedding, it’s best kept far from the prying eyes of those who might not understand the complexities of governance.
But let us not dwell too much on the past, dear Governor. After all, you have a state to run and a reputation to uphold. I am sure that with a little more time, all will be well. Anambra will rise from its current state, roads will be repaired, schools will flourish, and businesses will prosper. And perhaps, one day, we will all look back on this time with a smile, knowing that you, Governor Soludo, were the architect of a new Anambra.
For now, though, I’ll leave you to enjoy the afterglow of your daughter’s wedding, and to reflect, perhaps, on what could be done differently. We, the people of Anambra, are watching and waiting, ever hopeful that our beloved state will soon be worthy of hosting even the grandest of weddings.
With the deepest respect and warmest regards,
-Chidi Ekeh
