Governorship of Charles Soludo

Governorship of Charles Soludo
2022–present
PartyAll Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
Election2021, 2025

Charles Soludo has served as the 6th governor of Anambra State since March 2022.[1] A member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Soludo was elected governor in the 2021 election, succeeding Willie Obiano and was reelected in 2025.

Inaugurations

First term

Soludo was sworn in for his first term as governor on Thursday 17 March 2022, four months after he won the 2021 gubernatorial election. He was inaugurated at the State Government House, Awka, alongside his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim by the Chief Judge of State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, who administered the oaths of office and allegiance to the Constitution of Nigeria to them.[2][3]

Before the inauguration ceremony and formal handover, the outgoing governor Willie Obiano had reportedly handed over the official documents of the state to Soludo on the evening of Wednesday 15 March 2022 and took him round the state offices in the government house. Soludo's campaign organisation director, Don Adinuba, said there will be only 50 invited guests.[4]

Second term

Soludo had an inter-denominational service with members of the Christian Association of Nigeria and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, along the Catholic and Anglican churches on Tuesday 15 March 2026 ahead of his inauguration.[5] He was sworn in as governor of Anambra State on 17 March 2026 at Ekwueme Square in Awka, alongside his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim.[6][7] Soludo took the oath of allegiance at 11:50am and the oath of office, accompanied by his wife, Nonye Soludo, was at 11:55am.[8] The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, administered the oath of office to the Governor.[9]

The inauguration was attended by former Presidents of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. Others were the former Commonwealth Secretary-General,Emeka Anyaoku,[10] Vice President Kashim Shettima,[11] and the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.[12] The ceremony also marked the 20th anniversary of Anambra's progressive governance under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).[13]

Soludo's first acts were: dissolution of his executive council, directing all political employee to hand over to their permanent secretaries, for the restructuring of the second term executive council; he replaced his official portrait and directed all public and private offices, government agencies, and non-governmental organisations to adopt the new one; and the continuity of his previous government's "his "Gear 4".[14]

Administration

First tenure

Soludo administered 22 commissioners in April 2022.[15] On 29 March 2022, he appointed 15 special advisers.[16] On 12 April 2022, he appointed eight special advisers, among them, Nollywood actor Bob Manuel.[17] By June 10, 2022, he had 28 government workers.[18] In September 2023, the Commissioner for Finance, Ifeatu Onejeme resigned from his position during an executive council meeting, an act as caused by a disagreement between the governor and the commissioner. However on 16 September 2023, Soludo, through his spokesperson, denied the speculations, adding that it was "fabricated and sponsored".[19][20] In 2024, Soludo sacked Paul Nwosu, the Commissioner for Information.[21]

On 10 June 2022, Soludo appointed four special advisers and seven heads of government agencies.[22]

Soludo administration
OfficeNameTerm
GovernorCharles Soludo2022–present
Deputy GovernorOnyeka Ibezim2022–present
Chief of StaffErnest Ezeajugh[23]2022–2026
Commissioner for FinanceIfeatu Onejeme2022-2023[24]
Commissioner for LandsOffonze Amucheazi2022-2026
Commissioner for Works and InfrastructureIfeanyi Okoma2022-2026
Commissioner for Budget and Economic PlanningChiamaka Nnake2022-2026
Commissioner for HealthAfam Obidike2022-2026
Commissioner for Youth DevelopmentPatrick Agha Mba2022-2026
Commissioner for Commerce and IndustryObinna Ngonadi2022-2026
Commissioner for Women and Social WelfareIfeyinwa Obinabo2022-2026
Commissioner for EducationNgozi Chuma-Udeh2022-2026
Commissioner AgricultureForster Ihejiofor2022-2026
Commissioner for TransportationPatricia Igwebuike2022-2026
Commissioner for EnvironmentAfam Obidike2022-2026
Commissioner for Homeland AffairsChikodi Anara2022-2026
Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community AffairsCollins Nwabunwanne2022-2026
Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and TourismDonatus Onyenji2022-2026
Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral ResourcesAnthony Ifeanya2022-2026
Commissioner for HousingDonatus Onyenji2022-2026
Commissioner for Information and Public EnlightenmentPaul Nwosu2022-2024
State Attorney General and JusticeSylvia Ifemeje2022-2026

Second tenure

Soludo administration
OfficeNameTerm
GovernorCharles Soludo2022–present
Deputy governorOnyeka Ibezim2022–present
Chief of StaffBen Nwankwo[25]2026–present

IPOB

Soludo has been a critic of the Monday sit-at-home, an order which was introduced by the pro-Biafran Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to persuade the Nigerian government to release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who was facing a trail in Abuja over a federal charge of treason and terrorism.[26] Although the pro-Biafran group has suspended the sit-at-home on 19 September 2021, residents of South East Nigeria still observed the order, along the reasons, fear of attack by "unknown gunmen", a group that emerged during the Biafran protest.[27] On 26 March 2022, Soludo asked public workers to begin their works on Monday, citing during his inaugural address, that Anambra and the South East at large has lost am estimated N19.6 billion during the sit-at-home.[28]

On 28 January 2026, Soludo opposed the Monday sit-at-home, citing that it was an illegal directive which was imposed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).[29] Visiting Onitsha Market and seeing that the traders still adhered to the sit-at-home as a way of honouring Biafran activist Nnamdi Kanu,[30] he ordered the closure of the market for one week.[31] Soludo's Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, defended the market closure, claiming that the state loses the state loses N8 billion naira every week due to the sit-at-home directive.[32] On 27 January 2026, the traders protested against his actions.[33]

On 23 February 2026, Soludo closed the New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA) Market in Nnewi for one week.[34] The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned the governor's action.[35]

References

  1. ↑ "Chukwuma Soludo takes oath of office as Governor of Anambra State". Africanews. 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  2. ↑ "Chukwuma Soludo takes oath of office as Governor of Anambra State". Africanews. 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  3. ↑ Olafusi, Ebunoluwa (17 March 2022). "Soludo sworn in as governor of Anambra". TheCable. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  4. ↑ Olafusi, Ebunoluwa (17 March 2022). "Soludo sworn in as governor of Anambra". TheCable. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "Anambra holds inter-denominational service ahead of Soludo's inauguration". Premium Times. 16 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  6. ↑ Aninwobodo, Onuora (17 March 2026). "Soludo Sworn in for Second Term as Anambra Governor". Nigeria Info. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  7. ↑ Igwe, Ignatius (17 March 2026). "Soludo, Ibezim Sworn In For Second Term". Channels Television. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  8. ↑ "Soludo Inaugurated for Second Term, Declares Anambra Back to Winning Ways". This Day. 17 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  9. ↑ Ore, Mosunmola (17 March 2026). "Anambra Governor Takes Oath for Second Term". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  10. ↑ Igwe, Ignatius (17 March 2026). "Shettima, Obasanjo, Jonathan Attend Soludo's Second Term Inauguration". Channels Television. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  11. ↑ "Shettima applauds Soludo's nation-building role at second term inauguration". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. 17 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  12. ↑ "Soludo Inaugurated for Second Term, Declares Anambra Back to Winning Ways". This Day. 17 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  13. ↑ Aninwobodo, Onuora (17 March 2026). "Soludo Sworn in for Second Term as Anambra Governor". Nigeria Info. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  14. ↑ Chioma, Unini (19 March 2026). "Soludo Dissolves Executive Council After Second Term Swearing-In". TheNigeriaLawyer. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  15. ↑ Ujumadu, Vincent (29 March 2022). "Full list of Commissioners, special advisers appointed by Soludo". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  16. ↑ "Soludo sends list of commissioner-nominees to Anambra Assembly". Premium Times. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  17. ↑ "Soludo appoints Nollywood star, Bob-Manuel, seven others as special advisers". Premium Times. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  18. ↑ "Soludo sends list of commissioner-nominees to Anambra Assembly". Premium Times. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  19. ↑ "Soludo speaks on report of 'forced resignation' of finance commissioner". Premium Times. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  20. ↑ "Soludo Dismisses Rift With Resigned Commissioner". New Telegraph. Lagos, Nigeria. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  21. ↑ Chinagorom Ugwu (17 September 2024). "Governor Soludo sacks commissioner, swears in replacement". Premium Times. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  22. ↑ "Soludo appoints Dora Akunyili's son, 10 others as special advisers, heads of agencies". Premium Times. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  23. ↑ "Soludo picks former London mayor as chief of staff, announces other appointments". Premium Times. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  24. ↑ "Soludo speaks on report of 'forced resignation' of finance commissioner". Premium Times. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  25. ↑ Arinze, Alinnor (24 March 2026). "Meet The New Chief Of Staff To Governor Soludo". P.M.EXPRESS. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  26. ↑ "Sit-at-home: Report to work on Mondays or face sanctions, Soludo warns public servants". Premium Times. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  27. ↑ "IPOB asks South-east governors to 'deal decisively' with anyone trying to enforce sit-at-home". Premium Times. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  28. ↑ "Sit-at-home: Report to work on Mondays or face sanctions, Soludo warns public servants". Premium Times. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  29. ↑ Ugwu, Chinagorom (28 January 2026). "Soludo insists he'll no longer allow sit-at-home in Anambra". Premium Times. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  30. ↑ Ugwu, Chinagorom (28 January 2026). "Soludo insists he'll no longer allow sit-at-home in Anambra". Premium Times. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  31. ↑ "Soludo shuts Onitsha market for observing IPOB's sit-at-home directive". Premium Times. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  32. ↑ Ugwu, Chinagorom (27 January 2026). "'IPOB sit-at-home costs us N8 billion': Anambra defends temporary closure of Onitsha market". Premium Times. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  33. ↑ Ugwu, Chinagorom (27 January 2026). "VIDEO: Traders protest closure of Onitsha market, back sit-at-home for Nnamdi Kanu". Premium Times. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  34. ↑ Abdul, Alabi; Ahanor, Patrick; Gbenga, Adejayan; Samson, Benjamin; Lawal, Ahmid; Muhammad, Sanusi (23 February 2026). "Sit-at-home: Soludo shuts down another market in Anambra". Blueprint. Abuja, Nigeria. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  35. ↑ "Sit-at-home: Traders Protest Onitsha Market Closure". Daily Trust. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
External videos
video icon Soludo sworn-in for second term, 18 March 2026, News Central TV
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