Anambra 2025 Gubernatorial Elections: The Need for a Security-Focused Opposition

By Sir Obunike Ohaegbu, KSJI

With the November 2025 gubernatorial elections drawing closer, one observation stands out: the opponents to Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo have not begun serious campaigns. Contrary to any excuses that may be advanced, the lack of activity is not due to security constraints — yet security remains one of the most pressing issues in the state.

The reality is that Anambra is still under siege. Just last week, a relation who travelled to Lilu for a traditional marriage ceremony had to be escorted by four people. The group discreetly delivered the required items and quickly returned to Ukpor, where the actual celebration took place. This avoidance of lingering in certain areas speaks volumes about the prevailing atmosphere. Ndi Ukpor, like many other communities, are paying levies to sustain a measure of peace of mind.

The security infrastructure in Ukpor, which serves as the headquarters of Nnewi South Local Government Area, is in a dismal state. The Ukpor Divisional Police Station still operates from the Area Command in Nnewi. In reality, law enforcement in Ukpor depends heavily on the community-funded vigilante group for arrests, with cases then transferred to Nnewi. A few days ago, during the official visit of the Anambra State Commissioner of Police to Nnewi South, Ukpor was conspicuously absent from the itinerary. The Commissioner visited Utuh — home of the Mayor — and then Amichi, but bypassed Ukpor entirely, underscoring the fact that the Nigerian Police has no physical presence here.

It is worth stating that Governor Soludo has made commendable strides in certain areas, particularly in critical infrastructure development, and questioning his academic credentials is both unnecessary and counterproductive. However, the absence of a coordinated and visible opposition on the core issue of security is a missed opportunity.

If opposition candidates wish to resonate with the electorate and put the governor on his toes, they must present practical, community-based, and sustainable solutions to Anambra’s security challenges. The current heavy reliance on communities to self-fund their security is not sustainable. Any serious contender must address how to restore the functional presence of state security apparatus in all localities, including Ukpor.

Even if such a security-centered campaign does not lead to Soludo’s defeat in November, it could at least compel an urgent reassessment and reinvigoration of security policy in the state. My fear is that without this focus, the already precarious situation may worsen after the elections, regardless of who wins.

As things stand, Professor Soludo appears unopposed in practical terms. For the sake of democracy and the safety of Anambra’s people, opposition candidates must urgently go back to the drawing board — and put security at the heart of their message.