Soludo Only Needs Time
By Daniel Ezeigwe
One of the greatest challenges of good leadership is pressure. No good leader has been able to comprehensively overwhelm the itches and burns that come with the threatening word. But, in the real sense of it, pressure is an important variable that drives leadership, and even other human vocations. Calm under pressure is a remarkable mentality. The ability to defy this particular fearsome formula, and emerge successful is what separates a failure from a success story. Suffice to say that pressure, sometimes and however adversarial, is the grand determinant of top-class performances.
The administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo is not exonerated from this fact. It is close to hundred and fifteen days since the official inauguration of the present government in Anambra State. The pressure is already on and burning. But that is not unexpected — the current administration rode to power on massive expectations. That enthusiastic belief that something revolutionary is coming. And that is true. To Ndi Anambra and political neutrals elsewhere, Professor Soludo brings something different to the table; something unorthodox from the antiquated Nigerian political convention. The renowned economist’s disruptive political mindset was one selling point that pushed voters toward him in November six, 2021 governorship election. For the average Anambra person, Soludo means work.
However, grand political administrations are not magic and talismanism. They are an unfolding process, sometimes one that takes months or years to adjust to size and efficacy. And, a state as politically-conscious as Anambra consumes more administrative energy. These are no excuses, however, and Professor Soludo knows too. The governor has said on multiple outings that “there is excuse or reason to fail”. This means that, despite the obvious difficulties, he understands what lies before him — the pressure and expectations. His words are as conscious as they are reassuring. But the truth is that Governor Soludo has a plan for a better Anambra.
Therefore, it is too early to throw criticisms and incendiary shells. The current administration is working with a depleted fiscal burden and massive inherited debt. Aware that governance is capital-driven, it is difficult to immediately begin to execute any critical project on a bad purse. Again, the delay in the passage of the revised appropriation bill by the nambra State House of Assembly means that the financial framework for the budget year is still technically on hold. Meanwhile, the digitized streamlining of the tax remittance model for the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, AIRS, as well as levies for parks and markets, is a deliberate policy to recognize IGR generation in the state. Note also that the Anambra State is affected by the three-month run of non-remittance from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, after the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, from April, 2022, declared no profit from oil sales.
Then again, the now-surpressed security disruption in the state, which slowed down the pace of peace and progress. Truth is that challenges as insecurity and social tensions clog up any approach to development. Nothing slows down societal growth more than insecurity. These issues are tackled smartly and precisely.
However, in the midst of these turbulences and storms, the fact remains that Governor Soludo is determined to live his pledge to Ndi Anambra. We must also bear in mind that just as the price for a livable and prosperous homeland is costly, the gains are eternal. The present administration only needs patience, trust and support. The over one hundred and twelve thousand voters that defied human and climatic threats to birth this administration did so because they believed that a better Anambra is possible under Governor Soludo. That show of faith is certain to be rewarded.
Governor Soludo has never shown a sign of discourage in his speeches and body language. His stoic approach to facts and his vision are a clear sign of success-bound movement. Ndi Anambra must tap from this manly attitude, knowing that it is not just about the patient dog that eats the fattest bone, but mostly about the patient person who eats the fish caught with hook, line and sinker. Soludo will change the Anambra story. Let’s give him time!
