The political disagreement between former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo has escalated, with Obi's media office accusing the state government of devoting excessive attention to the former governor ahead of the 2027 general election. This development follows a message from the Anambra state government, urging voters to reject Obi and his political platform.
In a statement issued on Monday, the spokesman for Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Idris Zekeri Jnr., dismissed the campaign against Obi as a distraction from the business of governing the state. The statement, titled “Stop Chasing Shadows,” accused the Soludo administration of being preoccupied with Obi rather than addressing infrastructure, education, environmental, and public-safety concerns in Anambra.
Zekeri alleged that officials within the administration had complained about the governor’s focus on Obi during meetings of the State Executive Council. He said the development was symptomatic of what his camp considered an unhealthy political preoccupation. The POMR spokesman also challenged the state government to concentrate on its record in office instead of attacking Obi.
The statement invoked recent debates over Anambra’s performance in the Phillips Consulting State Performance Index (pSPI). The revised 2026 assessment placed Anambra 27th among the 36 states. Obi’s camp interpreted the latest ranking as evidence of a decline in the state’s performance and contrasted it with the resources currently available to the government.
The Soludo administration has previously disputed Phillips Consulting’s assessments, questioning aspects of the methodology and arguing that the rankings do not adequately reflect its investments and reforms. The administration has highlighted its investments in roads, education, and healthcare, including the introduction of free education from nursery through senior secondary school and expanded infrastructure and digital-learning initiatives.
Obi’s camp pointed to large gatherings involving Obi, including events in Nnewi and Adazi-Ani, as evidence of what it described as his continuing grassroots support in the state. The office called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, elders, and other stakeholders in Anambra to intervene and encourage the government to focus on governance rather than political confrontation.
The dispute increasingly reflects two competing narratives about Anambra: one centred on the record of the former governor and his continuing political influence, and the other on the current administration’s claim of ongoing reforms and investments. The battle over Obi’s legacy and Soludo’s record in office is likely to remain a major feature of Anambra’s political conversation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Key points
- The Soludo administration and Obi’s camp have engaged in a heated exchange over the state’s performance and political influence.
- Obi’s camp has accused the Soludo administration of focusing on the former governor rather than addressing pressing state issues.
- The dispute reflects competing narratives about Anambra’s governance and the legacy of Peter Obi.
