Actualizing Tinubu's Promises during Anambra visit will reverse S'East's Marginalization claims- Ohaneze Leader, Okpalaezeukwu

Mazi Okpalaezeukwu

Elochukwu Benjamin

Awka

Contrary to the insinuations that the May 8, 2025 visit of President Bola Tinubu to Anambra State was a mere frivolity, the visit has been described as having huge prospects for the development of Anambra State and the Southeast.

The Anambra State President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu made the disclosure in an exclusive chat with our correspondent in Awka, Anambra State Capital.

There has been so much criticism about the President’s visit, with many criticizing the projects which the President came to commission, done by the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.

According to them, the projects were not what the people of the state actually needed.

But in a reaction, the Anambra Ohaneze Ndigbo President, Okpalaezeukwu noted that what the state accomplished through the new Government House and Governor’s Lodge, defied an over 30-year jinx.

He noted that the Awka Funcity project, with its appertunances, aside from creating a leisure and entertainment centre for residents of the state, also has the capacity to create revenue windows for the state.

Okpalaezeukwu, however, noted that the visit was an express opportunity for the President to visit Anambra and appreciate the demands made by the governor on how the Federal Government could assist the state in addressing its numerous challenges.

He said the visit was an avenue for the President to prove wrong, the impression by Ndigbo about Nigeria and governance, adding that it demonstrated that the president accords a sense of belonging to Ndigbo especially the Southeast, in the scheme of national affairs.

Mazi Okpalaezeukwu maintained that the president’s visit also demeaned the stigma of every average Igbo man in Nigeria, as it is the foremost visit of a Nigerian President to Anambra State without partisan political connotation.

He further commended the President for taking the bull by the horn, by visiting Anambra State, irrespective of all the negative impressions and allegations against the state and Southeast, especially on insecurity and other social vices bedeviling the zone.

“Apart from the Funcity, and the new government house, it is instructive to note the massive infrastructural projects going on across the state, not limited to quality roads, health facilities, schools upgrade, and free education for all pupils and students, security, law and order. 

“To us, Anambra people, Soludo has earned excellence and deserves support for consolidation.

“Today, every well-meaning Anambra person must join hands, on a non-partisan basis and support the administration of Governor Soludo for a healthy, stable, secure and progressive Anambra State,” he said.

Mazi Okpalaezeukwu urged all well-meaning Anambra citizen, to shun unhealthy propaganda and campaign, as the state had not yet to roll into electioneering activities.

Appreciating Governor Soludo for painstakingly presenting the issues that spark allegations of marginalization to the President, Mazi Okpalaezeukwu expressed gratitude to the President for directing the inclusion of Anambra in the national railway and gas pipeline master plan.

He also said the promise of the President to support Anambra tackle the challenge of erosion in the state is quite commendable, noting that if the issues raised are addressed as promised, the region will be implicitly indebted to the Tinubu regime.