The Anambra State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed dissatisfaction with comments made by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, regarding Governor Charles Soludo’s three years in office.

The party alleged that the praise given by the Minister indicates his full support for Governor Soludo’s second-term agenda ahead of the governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

During the official launch of the construction of Phase 2B of the access road to the Second Niger Bridge at Ogbunike/33 Nkwelle Junction, along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, the Minister commended the governor for his significant achievements in just three years.

In response to Umahi’s commendation, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Dr. Valentine Iliobi, while addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Awka on Thursday described the Minister’s comments as hollow, contradictory, and oxymoronic.

According to him, Umahi could not have genuinely praised Soludo knowing fully well that the confused Soludo’s government promised to cut down the cost of doing business and attract investors. Yet, Anambra’s economy remains stagnant, like a car with a full tank but no driver.

“In Anambra, business owners continue to struggle under high taxes and a hostile environment like adequate power supply and organized mass transportation scheme.

“After 3 years, Soludo led government has recorded no real time value because no real effort was occasioned by the government to up the ante in the enabling environment and regulatory emplacement.

“Investors are avoiding Anambra because there is no confidence in the government’s policies. The much-promised industrial-tech revolution is still a mirage in the desert of broken promises.

Anambra has the potential to be the economic heartbeat of the Southeast, but under Soludo, the pulse is weak, and the heartbeat is fading.

“However, aside Minister Dave Umahi’s unguided utterances in support of his business ally Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo during his visit in Anambra State, it is equally worthy of note that Minister Dave Umahi and Gov. Chukwuma Soludo have a joint interest on the most of the Federal road Constructions in Anambra State which includes the Amawbia/Ekwulobia/Uga Federal Road, dualization of Nnewi/Okigwe Federal Road and also the recently awarded Construction of a 17.5km × 2 dual carriageway linking the newly constructed Second Niger Bridge to the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway (Phase 2B, Contract No. 8793) which also follows Monday’s flag-off of Phase 2A, which focused on an access road connecting Delta and Anambra States to the landmark bridge and knowing fully well that Minister Dav Umahi’s Construction Companies are at work in Anambra State. So, what do you expect him to say about Gov. Soludo’s reelection?

“Finally, it is over for Soludo as Anambra State APC is poised to connect the State to the National politics. APC has all it takes today to take over government from Soludo.

Minister Dave Umahi s antics and mockery on his poor infrastructural development is testimony that Soludo will end in one tenure.

“In case you don’t know, Soludo’s antics to garner the support of the Presidency were all in futility as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a core party man who is very interested in his party APC winning Anambra State Governorship election remembering fully well that Gov. Soludo supported Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP in the last 2023 presidential election, Iliobi noted.” (Nigerian Tribune)