Democratic governance in Anambra State rooted in power-sharing among the three senatorial districts has stabilized the polity with the incumbent Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, gradually completing his first tenure, leading the state to socio-economic transformation.
Anambra State’s democratic balance and enduring polity, built on the unwritten but widely respected principle of rotational leadership, have delivered relative peace, inclusion, and remarkable progress. Governor Soludo’s administration has become synonymous with development initiatives and people centered governance.
A society with structural differences like Anambra state would always be conscious of their differences and should not allow these to impinge on their political future.
The power rotation agreement in Anambra acts as a social contract, ensuring that no region feels permanently excluded from governance. It has helped to prevent destabilizing rivalry, kept elections largely peaceful, and built a political culture of fairness.
For three years now, Anambra state has continued to enjoy good governance and has become a model of progressive state in Nigeria, through Governor Soludo’s focused administration that has engendered Infrastructural expansion, E-governance and digital economy, education reform, Youth empowerment and job creation, environmental initiatives including urban regeneration and flood control, backed with vision, data, and fiscal discipline.
Governor Soludo’s sense of leadership is an archetype of moral philosophy of governance and development as well as service to humanity, centered on inclusion, fiscal responsibility, and long-term planning. It is a grounded and reformist approach to governance that prioritizes the human capital of Ndi Anambra and future generations.
Having transformed Anambra into a progressive state in Nigeria, there is need for continuity to enable the Governor complete his vision and sustain the power rotation model that has taken strong root in the state.
If the power sharing equilibrium collapses, what comes next may lead to breakdown of trust between zones, return of political instability, disruption of reforms and projects and undermining of growth of democratic principles.
Continuity in governance will help to realize long-term plans and maintain peace and stability in the state. It is a moral test for political actors to honor the pact so as not to betray the people. This moment calls for wisdom over warfare, consensus over conspiracy. The political elite must rise above petty calculations and preserve the gains of inclusive democracy. To derail or undermine Soludo is to derail or undermine Anambra’s future.
. Anambra has shown Nigeria that democracy can work when justice leads and equity governs. Soludo represents the best of that promise. Let us not allow short-term ambition to destroy a legacy that could shape generations.
MADUABUCHI DUKOR
