In a bold administrative move that has sent ripples across Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has relieved all political appointees in his administration of their duties, barely 24 hours after taking the oath of office for his second term.
The far-reaching directive, which affects everyone from commissioners to special advisers, requires all affected officials to hand over their responsibilities to Permanent Secretaries or the most senior civil servants in their respective ministries, departments, and agencies by the close of work on March 18, 2026.
A Fresh Start for Anambra
The announcement came through an official circular signed by Nwabufo Nwankwo, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. According to government sources, the wholesale dismissal is designed to ensure continuity in governance while the governor carefully constitutes a new cabinet that will drive his second-term agenda.
This approach, though not unprecedented in Nigerian politics, demonstrates Governor Soludo’s intention to reshape his team and possibly bring in fresh faces to complement returning members as he embarks on the next phase of his administration.
Interestingly, members of the outgoing first-term cabinet have been invited to a crucial meeting with the governor scheduled for March 23 at the ANSEC Chambers in Awka. What transpires at this meeting may well determine who returns and who bids farewell to government house.
Soludo’s Second Term Inauguration
Governor Soludo was officially sworn in for his second term on Tuesday at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, a ceremony that drew an impressive lineup of Nigeria’s political elite. Standing alongside his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim, the governor took the oath following their victory in the November 8, 2025 governorship election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The star-studded inauguration witnessed the attendance of Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, distinguished diplomat and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, among other dignitaries.
Security and Economic Progress
In his inaugural address, the Anambra governor didn’t hold back in highlighting what he considers major achievements of his first term, particularly in the areas of security and economic revival.
“The debilitating one-sit-at-home is over, and our schools, markets, businesses, and public servants are back to work. Ndi Anambra says that ours is now the safest, or at least one of the safest states in Nigeria,” Governor Soludo declared to thunderous applause.
For those familiar with the security challenges that once plagued the Southeast, including Anambra State, this statement represents a significant turnaround. The infamous Monday sit-at-home order that once paralyzed commercial activities and educational pursuits across the region has indeed become largely ineffective in Anambra, thanks to the governor’s security architecture.
What This Means for Governance
The sweeping dismissal signals the commencement of a new administrative phase in Anambra State. While some may view this as a routine political exercise, others see it as an opportunity for the governor to reward loyalty, punish underperformance, or simply inject new energy into his administration.
For the affected appointees, the next few days will be filled with anxiety and speculation as they await their fate. Will they be reappointed? Will new faces emerge? Only time—and the governor’s calculations—will tell.
As Anambra residents watch these developments unfold, many are hopeful that whoever emerges in the new cabinet will possess the competence, integrity, and commitment needed to take the state to greater heights.
The message is clear: Governor Soludo’s second term has begun, and he’s starting with a clean slate.
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