Valentine Ozigbo, a prominent member of the Labour Party (LP), has voiced significant concerns over what he perceives as Governor Charles Soludo’s lack of urgency in addressing the escalating insecurity in Anambra State.
Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting in Lagos, Ozigbo, who previously served as the president and CEO of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc. (Transcorp), expressed disappointment in Soludo’s leadership style, particularly regarding his response to rising security threats, including kidnapping.
Ozigbo emphasized that Soludo’s leadership appeared to be devoid of essential qualities such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and the willingness to listen to the needs and concerns of the people. According to Ozigbo, the governor’s silence on key security issues, such as the recent abduction of the retired Archbishop of the Niger Province, Rev. Godwin Okpala, is deeply troubling. He argued that this inaction highlights a leadership deficit in Soludo’s administration.
In his address, Ozigbo, who has declared his intention to run for the position of Anambra State Governor under the LP platform in 2026, stressed the importance of compassionate and inclusive leadership in tackling the state’s challenges. He argued that effective leadership requires not only competence and knowledge but also humility and the capacity to listen and learn from others.
Ozigbo remarked, “One of the fundamental aspects of leadership is emotional intelligence, and that’s what I’m bringing to the table. It’s not just about being competent, it’s about acknowledging that you don’t know it all, humbling yourself to listen to others, showing respect, compassion, and understanding your environment. These are the qualities that I believe are sorely missing in Anambra’s current leadership.”
The former corporate executive continued, “The current leadership does not listen. It seems the governor believes he knows it all, and that is reflected in his actions. There is no compassion or visible concern for the challenges the people are facing. When an archbishop is kidnapped, there’s no response, no reassurance from the governor. It’s as if the situation doesn’t matter.”
Ozigbo also criticized Soludo’s leadership for what he described as authoritarian tendencies, citing what he called the “Akaodo syndrome” — a reference to a perceived heavy-handed and dismissive approach to governance. He lamented that law and order appeared to be in short supply, and that the general mood in the state was one of dissatisfaction and unease.
“The question is: Who in Anambra is happy? Which institution or department is happy? Hardly anyone. The people of Anambra are deeply unhappy, and that’s a critical part of this conversation. We need to ask those in Lagos: Are people happy with the current state of Anambra? How many of you are excited to go home for Christmas? Are you feeling safe? Are you concerned? These are the issues at hand,” Ozigbo said.
He concluded with a somber reflection on the state of affairs in Anambra, saying, “The truth is that our people are sad, very sad. Anambra people are not satisfied. The level of insecurity is alarming, and there is no hope in sight. There’s no indication that this administration will improve the situation, particularly when it comes to security.”
Ozigbo’s comments reflect the growing frustration among many residents of Anambra, who feel that the current government has failed to adequately address the state’s pressing security challenges. His remarks also highlight the broader concern about the leadership qualities required to bring about meaningful change in the region, particularly in a time of heightened insecurity and instability.
