The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) for Anambra State, Chioma Ifemeludike, has taken a swipe at the Anambra State government, condemning what she described as a breakdown of governance and disregard for the lives of residents under the current administration.
Speaking during Thursday’s edition of Politics Today on Channels Television, Ifemeludike lamented that Anambra people’s lives “haven’t mattered” under Governor Charles Soludo’s leadership, stressing that the government has failed in its most basic responsibility of protecting its citizens.
She said, “For me, there is so much to be done in Anambra State, and we haven’t seen it under Professor Soludo’s leadership. Especially in security, there were so many deaths that could have been averted. When human lives are concerned, the government’s primary duty should be to protect its people. With all the allocations and internally generated revenue, people’s lives should matter,” she said.
The 36-year-old candidate, who is also an actress and social activist, decried the worsening insecurity in the state, citing incidents of killings and kidnappings that have continued to instill fear among residents.
“People were shot in broad daylight, kidnapped, ransom paid, and still killed. A young boy, Emmanuel Chinyecherem Igwe, was slaughtered like an animal. I even protested at the government house over it.
“We cannot sit back and watch things like this happen in the 21st century. Are we waiting for the US to come and save Anambra State? It doesn’t make any sense,” she lamented.
Ifemeludike pledged to completely reform the state’s security system if elected governor, beginning with the disbandment of the local vigilante group known as Agwunechemba.
“I’ll scrap it [Agwunechemba] because it’s not effective. They had their chance, and they failed. I’ll adopt a new framework, recruit personnel from their local communities, register them under government supervision, and ensure proper training. It makes a difference when locals protect their people,” she explained.
Ifemeludike, one of only two female candidates in Saturday’s governorship election, is contesting alongside her running mate, Kingsley Mgbemena.
She brushed aside doubts about her popularity, maintaining that her campaign is driven by purpose and conviction rather than fame.
“From the beginning, people questioned my popularity. But I believe leadership is not about popularity; it’s about purpose, intent, and passion to rescue my people. It’s about the message that resonates and stands the test of time,” she said.
According to the AAC candidate, her eight-point agenda is designed to “transform Anambra State into a beacon of progress, prosperity, and good governance in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll, the Commissioner of Police for election duty, Abayomi Shogunle, has assured residents that adequate security measures are in place to safeguard both land and riverine areas during the exercise.
Shogunle gave the assurance on Thursday as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Awka to retrieve sensitive election materials.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Queen Agwu, supervised the process, which was witnessed by party agents, journalists, and election observers. The officials, however, arrived later than the scheduled 10 a.m.
INEC disclosed that 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 5,718 polling units spread across 21 local government areas.
Sixteen candidates will be on the ballot, including Governor Chukwuma Soludo (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), Paul Chukwuma (YPP), George Moghalu (LP), Jude Ezenwafor (PDP), and Chioma Ifemeludike (AAC).
The INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting a credible, transparent, and peaceful election while warning against vote-buying and electoral violence.
Shogunle also confirmed that voting will not take place in two polling units due to the absence of registered voters.