Soludo at 65: Championing the Beauty of Responsible Power in Governance

Soludo at 65: Championing the Beauty of Responsible Power in Governance

By Law Mefor

As Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, marks his 65th birthday, his leadership journey as the Governor of Anambra State stands out as a compelling model of what responsible power can achieve in modern governance. In an era where leadership often equates to privilege without accountability, Soludo has become a symbol of integrity, equity, and people-first leadership.

Governor Soludo’s style of governance reflects what Dr. Maria Spindler describes as “the positive potential of power when used for good — such as creating positive change, fostering innovation, or promoting justice.” Since taking office, Soludo has made deliberate efforts to uplift the most marginalized communities in Anambra, setting a tone for inclusive development and breaking the norm of political favoritism.

A striking example of this was his first major policy move—launching his administration in the slums of Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area. Historically neglected and stigmatized, Okpoko was transformed under his leadership with paved roads, streetlights, and a functional general hospital. That initiative didn’t just signal a change in infrastructure—it symbolized a change in mindset. Today, the once-derided slum has been rebranded “New Haven,” and its residents enjoy a quality of life that many once thought impossible.

Governor Soludo’s impact extends beyond infrastructural development. His administration has rolled out a series of social programs specifically targeting the underserved: free antenatal care for pregnant women, free education at mission-returned schools, and the establishment of five new general hospitals—all situated in Anambra North, far from his native Anambra South.

But the governor’s vision doesn’t end at the borders of his home state. In a historic move, he appointed Joachim Achor, an indigene of Abia State, as the Acting Accountant-General of Anambra State. This bold step underscores his unwavering belief in meritocracy over ethnicity—a philosophy that is deeply embedded in every recruitment and empowerment drive initiated by his administration.

Take, for instance, the mass employment of 8,115 teachers. Soludo did not care about their state of origin but rather about their performance in competitive, merit-based tests. The same principle was applied in hiring medical professionals and participants of the “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative, which has drawn candidates from every part of the state without discrimination.

His inclusive approach comes with a strong sense of civic responsibility. While Soludo welcomes all who contribute to the state’s development, he is also clear that residents—regardless of background—must fulfill their civic obligations. This includes paying taxes and obeying laws. In this light, his government introduced a zero-tax policy for businesses earning below ₦100,000, protecting small-scale entrepreneurs such as traders, artisans, vulcanizers, and hawkers from undue levies.

Soludo’s people-centric governance also reflects in the way he commissions government projects. Unlike many who bring in dignitaries for ribbon-cutting ceremonies, Soludo hands the honor to everyday citizens—the actual beneficiaries. During the commissioning of roads in Onitsha and Okpoko, he invited leaders of the Keke and Shuttle drivers’ unions, traders, and local clergy to lead the events. This symbolic gesture elevates public ownership of state projects and brings governance closer to the grassroots.

The results are telling. During a road commissioning in Onitsha, the head of the market traders’ union openly admitted on live television that Anambra traders pay the lowest taxes in the region—so low, he joked, that they are “cheating the state.” He then pledged the traders’ willingness to pay more, citing the visible and impactful work of the Soludo administration.

At 65, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has not only brought his renowned intellect and global policy experience to bear on Anambra State but has also infused governance with humility, equity, and a profound sense of justice. His leadership reaffirms the notion that power, when wielded responsibly, can become a powerful tool for transformation and hope.

Indeed, in Soludo’s Anambra, no community is left behind, no citizen is unseen—and that is the enduring beauty of responsible power.