By George Okenwa
The art of subterfuge has long been a hallmark of political strategy, evolving from classical propaganda and espionage to modern-day misinformation, psychological warfare, and policy manipulation. Across history, governments and political groups have masked their true intentions by appropriating democratic values to sway public opinion, conceal agendas, and achieve political goals.
In Anambra State, this age-old tactic resurfaced following the August 22, 2025 protest in Awka against security operatives. The protest, organized by a group claiming to be a non-governmental organization under the name “Make Anambra State Great Again” (MAGA)—a curious appropriation of the infamous “Make America Great Again” slogan—is anything but transparent. The group, composed of known political actors and opposition candidates, appears hastily cobbled together to discredit the *Operation Udo Ga-Chi*, the vigilante outfit established under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 as part of the Agunechemba security architecture.
This protest followed the recent By-Elections for Anambra South Senatorial District and Onitsha North 1 State Constituency, where the opposition faced a crushing defeat despite their earlier bravado and claims of imminent triumph. The desperation to shift the narrative is palpable, with MAGA seemingly engineered to push an anti-Udo Ga-Chi agenda.
While public outrage over the assault of a Youth Corps member by rogue security operatives in Oba is justified, the swift action taken by Chief Ken Emeakayi, leader of Agunechemba and Special Adviser on Community Security, should have quelled concerns. The operatives involved were dismissed and handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution. Yet, the opposition seized the incident as an opportunity to orchestrate protests and propagate their anti-Udo Ga-Chi narrative, masquerading as champions of justice.
Interestingly, Chief Paul Chukwuma, the Young Progressive Party (YPP) gubernatorial candidate, and his deputy have abandoned presenting a compelling alternative governance agenda for Ndi Anambra. Instead, they’ve resorted to crying wolf and targeting Udo Ga-Chi—a move that appears dead on arrival. Their attempt at deception is not lost on Ndi Anambra, who can see through the façade.
Another school of thought suggests that the real intent of the protest was to undermine Udo Ga-Chi operatives by alleging interference in the By-Elections. This claim is contrary to the fact that election duties were exclusively handled by the Nigerian Police Force. It is ironic that a special security intervention, which has battled criminal elements and kidnappers across the state, is now the subject of vitriol over the misconduct of a few misguided operatives who have already been dealt with according to the law.
As the political campaigns heat up ahead of the November 8, 2025 gubernatorial election, more attempts will likely be made to discredit Udo Ga-Chi and other agencies of the Anambra State Government. However, the glaring defeat of opposition candidates in the By-Elections suggests that their chances of toppling the incumbent Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, remain slim—akin to raising the Titanic.
In the face of such political desperation, Ndi Anambra must remain vigilant, discerning fact from fiction, and continue to support initiatives that ensure the state’s security and development. Udo Ga-Chi, despite its challenges, remains a key pillar in the fight against crime and insecurity across the state.
Sir Okenwa, a Public Affairs Analyst writes from Ogidi.
