By Our Correspondent
A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe, has defended Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, over allegations linking him to the closure of the Onitsha Head Bridge drug market.
The APGA Chief described the accusations as baseless and politically motivated.
Obigwe, who issued a statement on Monday, dismissed a viral video purportedly blaming Governor Soludo and the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for the market’s closure.
According to him, the video—allegedly circulated by an associate of APC governorship candidate Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu—was an attempt to shift responsibility for the closure onto the state government.
“The video falsely claimed that traders in the drug market died as a result of the closure and sought to hold Governor Soludo and the DG of NAFDAC responsible,” Obigwe said.
He clarified that NAFDAC, being a federal agency, acted independently in the closure of the market and that the state government played no role in the decision.
“Governor Soludo had no hand in the closure of the market. However, out of compassion for innocent traders who were not dealing in counterfeit drugs, he intervened to seek a resolution,” he explained.
Obigwe stated that the Governor’s intervention led to positive outcomes for many of the affected traders.
“Any attempt to link Governor Soludo to the closure is a clear misrepresentation of facts.
“NAFDAC is a federal agency under the APC-led Federal Government, and it operates without interference from state governments, Obigwe maintained.
He accused political opponents of attempting to exploit the situation for cheap political gains.
Obigwe added, “Those who cannot fault Governor Soludo’s performance are resorting to propaganda.
“The people of Anambra are proud of a Governor who is delivering on his promises and should support his second-term bid to continue his good work.”
Governor Soludo has received commendation in various quarters for reforms in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public service delivery since assuming office.
