A public policy analyst and lawyer, Barrister Christopher Chidera, has alleged that Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, is positioning himself for a future vice-presidential ambition through his recent posture against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the enforcement of sit-at-home orders in the South-East.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Chidera claimed that the sit-at-home observed in Anambra State, following calls linked to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, recorded widespread compliance across the state.
According to him, commercial and public activities were largely shut down, with banks, schools, offices and markets not operating in many areas of the state.
He said his assessment was based on reports and visual materials published by several media organisations, arguing that the level of compliance contradicted the state government’s later claims that normal activities had resumed.
Chidera referenced the governor’s visit to a market later in the day, describing it as a reaction to public perception surrounding the sit-at-home rather than proof of widespread economic activity.
He noted that the timing of the visit raised questions, as it reportedly took place hours after the sit-at-home had already taken effect across the state.
According to the lawyer, if markets had been fully operational, government officials would have engaged traders earlier in the day during peak business hours.
He also questioned the optics of the visit, suggesting that the interaction did not reflect typical market activity, where traders would ordinarily prioritise attending to customers.
Chidera maintained that the sit-at-home significantly affected not only Anambra State but other parts of the South-East, leading to a slowdown in economic and social activities across the region.
He described the situation as a challenge to the state government’s narrative on restoring normalcy and full economic activity.
In his commentary, the lawyer linked the governor’s public stance on IPOB and sit-at-home enforcement to broader national political calculations, alleging that the actions may be driven by long-term ambitions beyond Anambra State.
He claimed that the approach appeared to prioritise public messaging over transparent engagement with the realities on the ground.
The Anambra State Government has consistently maintained that it is committed to restoring security, protecting economic activities and ensuring that residents go about their lawful businesses without fear.
Government officials have also stated that measures taken against sit-at-home directives are aimed at safeguarding the state’s economy and public safety.
