By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The governorship aspirant of the Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State, John Nwosu, has described the level of insecurity in Anambra State as topical and extremely dangerous, saying that it impacts negatively on the quality of life, commerce, capital, tourism, travel and the overall mindset of the people of the state.

Nwosu in a statement on Wednesday said that the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo to apply soft power or hard power in solving challenges confronting the State, but regretted that his government is doing neither.

He said, Soludo government has also failed to consult or partner with stakeholders and cohorts who might assist it in tackling the prevailing problems.

This is rather sad, as it reflects on the state very poorly and in real terms,

“I have consistently faulted the incumbent administration for its failure to meet the minimal threshold of its responsibility to protect Anambra citizens and those who may by chance, visit or pass through Anambra.

“An incumbent member of the Anambra State House of Assembly Hon. Justice Azuka is still being held hostage by kidnappers. Four recently kidnapped members of clergy and religious leaders have been released.

“To my knowledge the Gov. Soludo has not publicly commented on the kidnapped House of Assembly Member or liaised with his colleagues in the State Assembly to strategise on the modalities for tackling this issue in particular, and kidnappings and insecurity in general.”

While noting that leadership is about deploying best practices; as well as having the humility to ask for expert opinion and assistance where and when needed, Nwosu stressed that insecurity erodes and negates any effort to create an enabling environment.

He said: "Soludo Administration may do well to take the lead on these and other matters or get out of the way.

“The on-going cosmetic face-lift of existing infrastructure is most deceptive and underlines the government’s insincerity of purpose. Such ploys are not reality and they are not concrete.

“Getting pro-government apologist to ridicule and attack those who constructively criticise the governance limitations in Anambra, including the clergy and traditional rulers is simply defeatist.

“Government is not infallible. And Anambra is not bereft of leadership talents and resources. But since this APGA-led administration has defaulted to the pedestrian mode of governance, there is an urgent need for a leadership change. This point should not be thrashed or beclouded with undue sentiments.

“Anambra State is under severe strains and this is happening on Gov. Soludo’s watch. Anambra State is badly broken and needs to be fixed urgently. Yet the fixing cannot be done by Gov. Soludo, who publicly reneged on his core campaign promise. He was given the opportunity, and he squandered it. A second chance for him will be most catastrophic for Anambra State.

“Anyone who supports a Second Term for Gov. Soludo does not love Anambra. The time has come for Soludo to move on and return to theory, while allowing room for those with foresight, humility and sense practice of application of the core tenets of good governance to remedy Anambra State.”