No fewer than one thousand Anambra State Former Political Appointees who served under the former governor Willie Obiano from 2014 to 2022, on Tuesday, 2nd April, threatened to abandon the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo and his All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and work for another political party in 2025 gubernatorial poll if he fails to pay their severance allowances within this month.
The Appointees reached the resolution during their Town Hall meeting held at Best western, Meloch Hotel, Awka on Tuesday 2nd April, 2024 after every member agreed in a communique that failure for Governor Soludo to pay their severance allowance, they will have no other option to receive same from any intending party or individual who has the interest of the members at heart.
The appointees, who included former commissioners, Special Advisers (SPAD), Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Special Assistants (SA) and Executive Assistants (EA), said the ultimatum became necessary after the the governor failed to recognise a one minute silence for their departed colleagues as well as negative attitude to their requests which had even been made available to him personally and through different stakeholders.
The appointees resolved to this at the end of a town-hall meeting held at Awka, the Anambra State capital, where several members took turn to express their regrets over the governor’s failure to acknowledge the services they rendered to the State selflessly, including their commitments towards his emergence as governor in 2021 amidst the then insecurity and oppositions.
Also speaking, the convener ASFP and former SSA to Obiano, Chief Onyeka Owelle Mbaso, said although they had met with necessary stakeholders, including governor Soludo to no avail, they would press on again before they finally joined one of many political parties bigwigs showing interest in paying at least 150% of the severance allowances.
Speakind during the meeting, the Convener, Hon Owelle Onyeka Mbaso explained that Governor Soludo’s winning the election was as a result of the dedicated, resilience and financial support the former Appointees gave to him. Adding that alot of offers have been coming to them but due to the love they have for the former governor Willie Obiano, they decided to give Soludo a little more time.
Meanwhile the Communique were reached as thus;
“1. That Governor Soludo has refused to pay the severance allowance of the former Appointees of the past Administration or made any positive impact whatsoever in that regards despite the consultations and pleadings that proper things be done for posterity sake.
“2. That Governor Soludo had made several demeaning comments against the former Appointees on record at the meeting of 17th December 2023, presenting the former Appointees as reapers where they didn’t sow”.
3. That the former Appointees having waited patiently for a positive follow up on the meeting of 17th December to no avail, have decided that since Governor Soludo does not have any regards for them and sees them as insignificant, they have decided unanimously to put their support where it would be valued and reciprocated.
4. That the former Appointees have unanimously decided to support APC and connect to the center.
Prior to the meeting of April, the Former Appointees held an inaugural meeting on the 10th day of December 2023 attracting the presence of the Deputy Governor Dr Onyeka Ibezim who promised to work with the Governor to pay off the severance allowances of the former Appointees and as well settle those without severance allowance with some meager amount as appreciation for their good work, as demanded by the Former Appointees”.
A second meeting was held on Sunday 17th of December 2023, having Governor Soludo and his entourage in attendance, where the Former Appointees aired their grievances before him as it relates to their severance package and government inclusiveness.
No positive actions were taken further on these demands and the Governor had continued to ignore and relegate the former Appointees, which led to their third meeting on the 2nd of April 2024.
The group assures the people of Anambra that it remains committed to ensuring the development and wellbeing of NDI-ANAMBRA, especially in a humane manner where everyone is valued and respected.
However, Chief Akujiugo decried that some of their colleagues died in the process of struggling to see that Soludo emerge as governor, while many have died either because of hunger, terminal diseases or insecurity after the election due to his refusal to pay their several allowances.
