.By Chinaza Osigwe
As the Anambra 2025 gubernatorial election draws closer, the Chairman of the New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, Chief Stephen Ofoleh, has advised opposition candidates to channel their campaign resources into meaningful community development instead of contesting against Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
Speaking from his office in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Chief Ofoleh described the forthcoming election as a “one-man race,” asserting that there is “no vacancy” at the Government House, Agu Awka.
He specifically encouraged aspirants to take advantage of the state government’s Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative to invest in their communities, rather than what he called “daydreaming to unseat the Solution Governor.”
“Soludo is not running against anyone in this election. I plead with other aspirants—rather than waste your money on political campaigns, channel it into PPCP. Even if it is just a one-kilometer road in your community, it will immortalize your name more than a lost election,” he said.
Chief Ofoleh praised Governor Soludo’s performance since assuming office in 2022, citing his swift intervention in Okpoko as a demonstration of his commitment to grassroots development.
“After he was sworn in, Soludo went to Okpoko and promised transformation. People thought he was just talking, but he turned that promise into action—clearing refuse dumps, rehabilitating drainage systems, building roads, and even constructing a general hospital for the first time in the area. Okpoko practically became his unofficial office,” he stated.
Highlighting achievements in education and healthcare, Ofoleh noted that the governor’s administration introduced free education from primary to secondary school, and constructed five general hospitals in Anambra North Senatorial Zone, despite not being from the zone himself.
“Soludo’s decisions are based on genuine need, not favoritism. For instance, the ongoing road project from Tarzan Junction to 3-3 will help decongest traffic along Awka Road in Onitsha,” he added.
According to Ofoleh, Soludo’s impact is also being felt in Anambra’s markets. He said that taxes, such as the general purpose levy, are being paid with ease because traders see visible evidence of good governance.
He also lauded the governor’s youth empowerment initiative, One Youth, Two Skills, which includes the “Igba Boi” scheme. “Many young apprentices in our market who were not settled by their masters have received empowerment packages. In the first phase, about five beneficiaries got N500,000 each, and in the second phase, ten more were supported. They also received monitored entrepreneurship training from Awka,” he revealed.
Chief Ofoleh concluded by commending Soludo for earning national recognition, including the Sun and Vanguard Newspapers’ Best Governor Awards for Good Governance, declaring him “a gift to Ndi Anambra.”
“I congratulate him in advance. Soludo has delivered and deserves to continue,” he said.
