Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has warned that his administration will no longer tolerate the collection of levies from petty traders in Anambra State, declaring that offenders will be arrested.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Ekwulọbịa, Aguata Local Government Area, Soludo said his attention was drawn during a visit to Eke market in Awgbu where officials were still collecting fees from traders with less than ₦100,000 in capital — in defiance of government’s directive.
“Don’t collect from them anymore. We will arrest anybody that goes ahead to disregard this,” he warned, stressing his commitment to protecting the livelihoods of small-scale traders.
The rally doubled as a show of support for the governor’s candidacy, with thousands in attendance. Soludo described the movement as “a people’s project,” thanking the Ekwulọbịa community for its unwavering backing.
Highlighting the town’s importance, the governor recalled that former Governor Jim Nwobodo had designated Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulọbịa as cities but noted that Ekwulọbịa had been left behind in development.
“To become a real city, Ekwulọbịa requires serious planning. We will set up a dedicated committee on town planning to drive this growth,” he announced.
The governor also restated his administration’s focus on social welfare programmes, including free education, free antenatal care and safe delivery services for the underprivileged.
Community leaders lauded Soludo’s achievements. Chief Joseph Okafor praised his “remarkable feats in just three years,” while Dr. Chibueze Offorbike, Mayor of Aguata LGA, said the area had transformed “from rural to semi-urban and now urban,” attributing the progress to the governor’s leadership.
The event also saw the presentation of a cheque of ₦80 million to Governor Soludo and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, in support of their campaign.
