Odita Sunday 
Non-Indigenes Protest Exclusion from Soludo’s Cabinet, Allege ‘Use-and-Dump’ Politics
From Uche Chukwu – Onitsha
Tensions are mounting in Anambra State following protests by non-indigenes over their alleged exclusion from the newly constituted cabinet of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The aggrieved group, operating under the aegis of the Association of Non-Indigenes Welfare of Anambra State (ANISA-ANIAS), accused the administration of marginalisation, despite their significant electoral and economic contributions to the state.
Governor Soludo had earlier forwarded a list of 18 commissioner-nominees to the Anambra State House of Assembly for confirmation. The Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, subsequently referred the list to the Committee on Screening and Election Matters for urgent consideration.
A statement issued through the Speaker’s Special Assistant on New Media, Franklin Osankwa, confirmed that the nominees were formally presented during plenary.
The list includes key portfolios such as Agriculture (Dr. Ben Chuks Odoemena), Budget and Economic Planning (Chukwukadibia Okoye), Education (Dr. Ekene Ogugua), Finance (Izuchukwu Okafor), Health (Dr. Afam Obidike), Justice/Attorney-General (Barr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN), Lands (Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, SAN), Works and Infrastructure (Arc. Okey Ezeobi), and Youth Development and Sports (Patrick Agha), among others.
Reacting to the development, the Kabiyesi of ANISA-ANIAS, Oba Kolawole Moses Oluyemi, expressed disappointment, describing the list as falling short of the governor’s promise to accommodate diverse interests.
“The list did not reflect the earlier assurances of inclusiveness. Non-indigenes who overwhelmingly supported the governor in the November 8, 2025 governorship election appear to have been sidelined,” he said.
Oluyemi warned that the development risks reinforcing a “use-and-dump” pattern allegedly associated with successive administrations in the state.
However, the President-General of the association, Chief Ikechukwu Ugwuoke, struck a more conciliatory tone, noting that the list released represents only the first batch of nominees.
He urged members to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing confidence that the governor would honour his commitment to inclusivity.
“Non-indigenes contributed significantly to the governor’s electoral victory, accounting for about 95 per cent of votes in some areas. We believe the government will fulfil its promise to give us a sense of belonging,” Ugwuoke said.
He added that non-indigenes account for approximately 60 per cent of entrepreneurs in the state and contribute about 70 per cent to its Gross Domestic Product, particularly in commerce, transportation, and trade.
The controversy could test the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance in a state widely regarded as a commercial hub driven largely by migrant populations.
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