Anambra At A Crossroads - This Must Change

This is not right!

With the 2025 Anambra gubernatorial and senatorial elections in full swing, political defections have become rampant as candidates scramble for platforms that offer them the best shot at success. Yet amid all the political maneuvering, one grim reality remains unchanged: the deepening insecurity and collapsing infrastructure across Anambra State.Residents have been crying out for help, but their voices continue to fall on deaf ears. In communities across Ihiala, Nnewi South, and parts of Orumba, ordinary citizens have been forced to take their security into their own hands despite lacking any constitutional authority to do so. Entire neighborhoods have become ghost towns, with residents fleeing to safer towns or even neighboring states.Anambra, once proudly known as the “Light of the Nation,” has slipped into a state of paralysis. Commerce has ground to a halt, exacerbated by the continued enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home order by non-state actors. This phenomenon, originally intended as a form of protest, has become a source of fear and economic strangulation. According to a 2024 report by the South East Economic Observatory, the Anambra economy loses an estimated ₦3 billion every Monday due to this enforced shutdown. To make matters worse, the state’s road network has deteriorated drastically. As the rainy season sets in, roads across Awka North, Onitsha, Aguata, and Idemili are becoming virtually impassable. Erosion has eaten away major arteries, while potholes, some deep enough to swallow midsize vehicles, are a common feature. Over 600 erosion sites were identified in Anambra by the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in 2023, with little or no intervention from the state government.The stark contrast with neighboring states like Abia—now experiencing a wave of infrastructure renewal under Labour Party leadership, only deepens the frustration of Ndi Anambra. What do we have to show for electing leaders with impressive résumés but no tangible achievements?During the last gubernatorial election, many were swayed by the credentials of the current governor, a former Central Bank of Nigeria chief. We believed his economic expertise would translate into prudent governance and infrastructure development. Sadly, that belief has proven to be misplaced. Under his watch, Anambra’s vibrant manufacturing and commercial base, especially in areas like Nnewi and Onitsha, is now choking under the weight of bad roads and insecurity. The same state that once exemplified safety and self-reliance is now riddled with fear and stagnation.But it doesn’t have to remain this way.Come November 8, 2025, Ndi Anambra must rise to the occasion. We must vote to restore dignity and direction to our beloved state. We need leaders who are not only competent but also committed to the people. Leaders with a clear plan and a credible track record.The Labour Party, under the guiding influence of Peter Obi and with Dr. George Moghalu leading the charge, presents a viable and credible path forward. This is not just about changing party colors; it's about reclaiming Anambra's rightful place as a beacon of innovation, enterprise, and peace.Let us rediscover the spirit that made us a driving force in Nigeria’s independence movement and the birthplace of the nation’s most enterprising middle class. Let us rebuild a state where businesses can thrive, roads can carry goods safely, and every Monday is once again a day of productivity and not paralysis.Anambra must shine again. The time to act is now.

Charles Odimgbe writes from Savannah Georgia