Governance is more about responsibility than just holding an office. It is more about making impact and not merely making a show of power with all its paraphernalia. In an era where political rhetoric often eclipses concrete achievement, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent town hall meetings with Anambra’s Diaspora communities in Lagos , Abuja and London captured the true essence of governance. The well-attended meetings were beyond political grandstanding and represented embodiment of accountability, transparency, and integrity in governance.
The packed venues in the cities testified to the Governor’s drawing power and positive perception among Ndi Anambra living outside their home state. Indeed, what unfolded during the interactive sessions was a logical presentation of a three-year scorecard backed by verifiable data and tangible results.
Professor Soludo presented detailed exposition of achievements across infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, economic transformation, tourism, and painted a picture of an administration guided by strategic vision rather than political expediency.
Particularly noteworthy was the genuine interactive engagement that characterized these meetings. Far from the scripted questions and rehearsed responses that often dominate such forums, attendees engaged in robust, spontaneous, sometimes challenging dialogues with their Governor. This willingness to face direct questioning from citizens demonstrates a level of confidence that comes only from having substantial accomplishments to defend.
The endorsement from former Governor and Senator Chris Ngige at the Abuja town hall carried special weight. When Senator Ngige declared that he “came, saw and confirmed” that all the stories about Governor Soludo’s monumental strides are not mere publicity stunts, it represented another poignant cross-verification of Governor Soludo’s claims. Coming from a political figure with his own significant legacy in the state, this validation transcended partisan lines and spoke to observable realities on the ground.
Throughout the Lagos, Abuja and London engagements, Governor Soludo consistently emphasized his unifying vision captured in the mantra: “One State, One People, One Agenda.” This philosophy directly challenges the divisive politics of regional favouritism that has plagued many Nigerian states. Governor Soludo is promoting a new political identity based on common interests rather than geographic divides.
What makes these Diaspora town halls particularly significant is their recognition of the crucial role that Anambra citizens living outside the state play in its development. By actively seeking their input and support, Governor Soludo acknowledges that governance extends beyond Awka to encompass all who have a stake in the state’s progress, no matter where they live and do business in the world.
Several participants expressed surprise at the level of detail provided about ongoing projects and their implementation timelines, information that empowers citizens to hold their government accountable.
The true test of Governor Soludo’s governance model, however, will be when these engaging dialogues translate into his Second Term election to continue acceleration of transformation across Anambra State. For now, Governor Soludo’s unique Diaspora town hall engagements confirm that accountability must go beyond being a governance principle and assumes a practical approach that can rebuild trust between citizens and their elected leaders. As Anambra State continues its upward trajectory, the governor’s commitment to keeping stakeholders informed and engaged will be as important as the projects themselves.
Be the first to write a comment.