Political Firestorm: Soludo's Resurfaced Video Praising Peter Obi Goes Viral!

An old video featuring Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo discussing the administrative record of his predecessor, Peter Obi, has recently resurfaced online. This footage, originally recorded during the 2021 Anambra governorship campaign, has drawn considerable attention amidst ongoing political debates surrounding the two prominent figures. In the video, Soludo, who was then the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, provided an assessment of Obi’s tenure, citing various economic and infrastructure-related data.

During the resurfaced clip, Soludo stated that Obi “did relatively well as an APGA governor,” specifically highlighting advancements in road construction during his administration. He further referenced key economic indicators for Anambra State, proclaiming, “Anambra State had poverty rate decline from 53% to 14.8% under Peter Obi. Anambra State had the lowest unemployment in Nigeria at 13%.” This direct attribution of significant economic improvements to Peter Obi’s leadership has become a focal point of current online discussions.

However, the figures cited and their attribution have become subjects of competing interpretations, particularly in light of Soludo’s subsequent explanations and criticisms. In a clarification reported in 2022, Soludo clarified that he had been quoting data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). He detailed that poverty in Anambra State had initially risen from below 25 percent in 2005 to approximately 53 percent in 2010/2011, before ultimately falling to 14.78 percent in 2020 under the administration of Willie Obiano, thus correcting the earlier attribution of the full decline to Obi.

Furthermore, Soludo later voiced criticisms concerning other aspects of Obi’s administration. Notably, in a November 2022 interview, he challenged Obi's assessment of alleged investments left behind, declaring these purported investments were “worth next to nothing.” These later comments have added layers of complexity to the public perception of Soludo's views on his predecessor.

The resurfaced video has consequently fueled renewed online reactions. Supporters of Peter Obi have seized upon Soludo’s earlier commendations as evidence of Obi’s gubernatorial achievements. Conversely, others have emphasized the broader context, pointing to Soludo's subsequent clarifications and criticisms to present a more nuanced and evolving perspective on his assessment of Obi’s time in office.