Governor Soludo, Akwaete Dress And The Symbolism of Ideological Consistency 

On Sunday, I went to the Governor’s lodge at Amawbia for the first time. I had gone there on notice that the Governor had somewhere to go by 10 am and I wanted to join my team’s bus and ride in the convoy from the lodge.

I got there by 9 am and was granted access to the waiting room at the Governor’s residence. The Governor has a small chapel in his building where the Governor’s Chaplin holds mass every Sunday and some days in the week, and just like every other Sunday mass was going on. The chapel was filled so I couldn’t join.

The mass stretched way into 11 am and a buffet was set for people to have breakfast before we set out. I stood in line at the buffet stand waiting my turn. 

I noticed the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and the Speaker were at one end of the room having their meal. I took my usual rice and a piece of meat and turned around to scout for a place to sit.

After a while, one of the waiters approached our table with a very fine glass jug but with a whitish content. When he got closer, I realized it was “nkwu enu ” palm wine and that was when it hit me.

It was on the 17th day of March 2022, at the State Government House. I stood directly facing Gov. Soludo when he gave his address after being sworn in as Governor. Below is an excerpt of his address that day.

“When you see me in Innoson vehicles or my Akwete dress with a pair of shoes made in Ogbunike/Nkwelle Ezunaka and Onitsha, we are making a statement.

Today, the light refreshment to be served after this brief event is Abacha from Umunze, ukwa from Isuofia, Anambra rice with ofe akwu, nkwu enu from Awgbu, ngwo from Awa and Oba, and malt and bottled water from Onitsha.

As part of our “made in Anambra”, cultural renaissance, and healthy living agenda, when you come to the Governor’s Lodge or attend any state government function, be sure to be served only “Made in Anambra”. 

Part of what prompted me to pen this piece was that in the few days after I resumed my job as a Special Assistant to the Governor,  three of my friends had raised the issue of the Governor’s outfit, inquiring why he wears the same kind of outfit always. I tried to explain to them that every action of Gov. Soludo upon assumption as Governor of Anambra state has been deliberate and consistent.

Before the elections in 2021, I had several interactions with Gov. Soludo then referred to as “Prof. Soludo”. I heard his views and perception of things. His strong desire to ramp up Anambra state’s IGR, his belief in Made-in-Anambra products, and the need for a “liveable society”.

From my experience at the Government lodge to my observation in the past few days, I was awed by his consistency. Everything he said he was going to do, he’s doing.

From his outfits to the car he rides, to his cuisine, to his policies and style of governance, etc, he has been consistent with his ideologies.

The Anambra State Government Executive Council members will attest to how thorough Mr. Governor is. He doesn’t brush things over. Everything must be considered in detail. Exactly what he promised he would do when he becomes Governor.

Governor Soludo’s consistency is one that is deeply rooted in a firm ideology. He believes that education is the bedrock of development and went on to make it one of his priorities, the recruitment of 5000 teachers, a recruitment process that was done solely based on merit.

One can choose to argue the viability of his ideologies, his choice of approach, but this can largely be done on the bases of results and to truly see and assess these results, we’d have to give some time for the dividends of today’s actions to materialize. 

At the end of the day, it is in our collective interest that Gov. Soludo succeeds.

May Soludo Succeed.