Soludo’s Onitsha Market Reforms Not Driven by Second Term Syndrome — APGA National Publicity Secretary, Opara

By Romanus Udekwe Okue-Agbomma

The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mazi Ejimofor Opara, has dismissed claims that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s ongoing reforms in Onitsha Main Market are motivated by second term political calculations.

Opara made the assertion while responding to allegations that Soludo’s current intervention in the commercial hub reflects a pattern of chief executives who defer critical decisions until after securing reelection.

“Soludo does not fit into this frame. This is a man whose audacity and fearlessness worries his Lieutenants and even the Party he leads,” Opara stated.

The party spokesman cited several bold decisions taken by Soludo during his first term, including his declaration ending the “Monday sit-at-home” in July 2022, just four months after assuming office, which opened up normal business activities across the state.

He also referenced Soludo’s urban regeneration projects, his reclamation of eight local governments from the Unknown Gunmen (UGM), and his public stance against Austin Ndigwe’s claim to Awka kingship.

“Soludo does not work according to term, he works according to plan. Just like he doesn’t see the geopolitical cleavages of Anambra North, South and Central — Anambra is one State, one people, one Agenda,” Opara argued.

The APGA publicity secretary noted that despite major disruptions caused by various reforms, Soludo won reelection with a historic 73 percent of votes, describing him as “a firm Leader — zero pretense, zero grandstanding.”

“Soludo’s kind of political leader comes once in a century,” Opara declared, adding that Anambra residents, being “highly result oriented,” demonstrated their confidence in his leadership through the landslide victory.