Admin I Wednesday, April 24, 2025
AWKA, Anambra – The Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and traditional ruler of the Obosi Kingdom in Idemili North Local Government Area, His Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Ogalagidi, Eze Iweka III), has commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for the visible progress his administration has made in tackling insecurity across the state.
Speaking from his palace in Obosi, Igwe Iweka noted that the governor’s firm stance on security—especially through the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law—is beginning to yield significant results.
He particularly praised the creation of the security outfits ‘Agụnechemba’ and ‘Operation Udo-ga-chi,’ which he said have restored calm and normalcy across communities once plagued by criminal activities.
“Our people can now sleep with both eyes closed,” the monarch stated. “This was not the case in the past.”he stated.
The traditional ruler acknowledged that Anambra had previously witnessed a troubling surge in violent crimes including kidnapping, carjacking, ritual killings, armed robbery, and cultism.
He described the situation as having reached the level of an “epidemic,” where citizens felt helpless and abandoned.
He, however, expressed satisfaction that the tide had turned due to the governor’s determined approach.
“We commend the governor for taking the bull by the horns. The establishment of Operation Udo-ga-chi and Agụnechemba has drastically reduced crime in the state. Of course, crime can never be totally eradicated anywhere in the world, but what he has done shows wisdom and resolve,” Igwe Iweka said.
Reflecting on the security crisis that once engulfed the state, he revealed that many residents had begun to doubt the government’s capacity to act.
However, he clarified that even before launching the new security outfits, Governor Soludo had been coordinating joint task force operations involving the police, army, navy, anti-cult units, and other agencies to combat criminal elements in notorious hotspots.
“It wasn’t that the governor was idle. I know firsthand that he had been proactive. But the crime wave was so intense it seemed unstoppable until Agụnechemba came into force,” he added.
Igwe Iweka further attributed the root of many of the crimes to a deeply embedded mindset among some youths, driven by greed and a belief in shortcuts to wealth.
“There are young people today who believe they don’t need to work. They think going to a native doctor for some ‘oke-ite’ will bring them riches. That mindset created the crime epidemic we witnessed. But thankfully, our governor confronted this head-on,” he said.
He emphasized that while crime can never be completely eliminated, the governor’s strategies have significantly curbed the insecurity that once paralyzed the state. He urged for continued vigilance and support to maintain the current peace and ensure the state does not relapse into chaos.
As the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Iweka also highlighted his efforts in resolving disputes within communities, noting that many towns face conflicts between traditional rulers and president-generals, as well as disputes involving influential individuals and communal land matters.
“There is always tension during the installation of new kings. Sometimes, the same people who crowned a monarch later turn around and say, ‘Step down, we made a mistake.’ These are the challenges we constantly deal with,” he explained.
He praised the Soludo administration for its efforts in addressing these socio-political tensions, and for driving infrastructural development across the state, including projects like the newly developed Fun City.
On the matter of continuity, Igwe Iweka advocated for the governor’s re-election to allow him to complete his initiatives.
“We believe Governor Soludo deserves a second term. These monumental projects he has started—he should be allowed to finish them himself. It’s not something you hand over midway to another person who may not share the same vision.”
Although traditional rulers are expected to stay away from partisan politics, the monarch emphasized that they must speak out when necessary.
“As royal fathers, we are not meant to be political. But when something goes wrong—be it economic, social, or even spiritual—it affects us directly. If a new governor comes after Soludo and does not perform, I will not praise him. I will simply remain silent,” he added.
