Soludo’s track record is replete with successes, and the confidence Ndi Anambra have in him is anchored on his proven ability to deliver. He stands out as one of the few intelligentsia globally who have significantly altered the course of history within a generation. I often tell people around me, and rightly so, that Soludo cannot be framed – not only would he not allow it, but many of us are committed to ensuring it doesn’t happen.
In Anambra’s politics, the struggle has always been between the intelligentsia and the unrefined class of “money-miss-roads” who resort to violence and empty philanthropy during election seasons. These individuals disguise themselves as businessmen, but their questionable sources of wealth belie their true nature. Unfortunately, they thrive in a society that has become averse to asking what someone does for a living.
Many of us have fallen prey to pseudo-intellectuals in the past – individuals who parade as thoroughbred professionals but are, in reality, the dregs of the intellectual world. I’m not proud of this, and I recall that era as a dark moment in my political evolution.
The notion that intellectuals lack the capacity for transformative leadership has been debunked by a few notable exceptions, most prominently Soludo’s ingenious recalibration of Nigeria’s national economy and financial system in the early 2000s. Soludo’s record precedes him, and the humongous expectations surrounding him are being met with remarkable audacity.
Today, it’s undeniable that Anambra is rapidly becoming a destination of choice. The regeneration of Okpoko, Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, and Ekwulobia is evident. The state’s strides in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development are unmistakable. Anambra’s emergence as a tech and innovation hub, coupled with its fiscal responsibility and prudence, solidifies its position as a leader.
The attempt to portray the intelligentsia as incapable of public leadership must be resisted. If members of the intelligentsia perpetuate this narrative, it’s tantamount to a vote of no-confidence in themselves. Being part of the intelligentsia should not be a title to be purchased or flaunted without intellectual rigor or mental tensile strength.
— Mazi Ejimofor Opara PhD.