Abuja, Nigeria — Dr. Josef Onoh, former South East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu’s campaign, has publicly criticized Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo for making what he describes as historically inaccurate statements aimed at discrediting Labour Party’s Peter Obi during President Tinubu’s recent visit to Anambra State.
Governor Soludo had claimed that the last presidential visit to Anambra State occurred in 2012 and was solely to commission a brewery. Dr. Onoh refuted this, highlighting that former President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated multiple projects during his 2012 visit, including the Orient Petroleum facility, SabMiller Brewery, Orange Drugs Company, Krisoral Company, Onitsha Inland Port, and the eight-lane Onitsha Head Bridge-Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. He also noted that former President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned several projects in the state, such as the Zik Mausoleum in Onitsha (January 2019), the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) permanent site in Nnewi (May 19, 2023), and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Igwe Orizu International ICT Centre, among others .
Dr. Onoh expressed concern over the persistent attacks on Mr. Obi by some presidential aides and individuals seeking favor, suggesting that such actions inadvertently enhance Obi’s public image. He urged President Tinubu to consider a cabinet reshuffle to remove communication aides who focus on attacking political opponents rather than promoting the administration’s achievements .
Emphasizing the importance of accurate historical representation, Dr. Onoh advised Governor Soludo to adopt a forward-thinking perspective, recognizing the significance of past presidential visits and the projects commissioned in Anambra State. He stated, “Anambra State should be proud that their sons and daughters were bold enough to execute great projects that a then sitting president came to commission. Irrespective of the year, it’s a great achievement to be proud of rather than turned into a political statement.”
By Adeola Olaniya | May 12, 2025
