Extortion must end in Anambra - Soludo *As drivers, Keke operators endorse him for second tenure

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By Madu Obi

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo continues his final campaign push ahead of the November 8 governorship election, with a promise that extortion must end in the state.

Speaking at a mega endorsement rally organized by drivers and transport unions at the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha, the governor warned against intimidating motorists and other road users under any guise.

The rally was attended by thousands of drivers, tricycle operators, and transport stakeholders across the 21 local government areas of the state.

Expressing delight that his administration is gradually sanitizing the state’s transport system, the governor observed that orderliness has returned at the various motor parks.

Before Soludo assumed office in 2022, Anambra State, particularly the commercial city of Onitsha, was notorious for the activities of touts and thugs who operated freely in motor parks and markets, extorting drivers and traders in the name of levies, which were never accounted for.

The situation was such that many people dreaded passing through Anambra State, with the attendant negative consequences on the image of the state.

To restore sanity, Soludo instituted reforms that have almost flushed out the touts, thereby making the cities safe for drivers and their passengers.

Emphasizing on the government’s commitment to law and order, Soludo also warned officials of state agencies against illegal levies and cash collections.

“Don’t pay cash to anybody in the name of paying revenue to government. All payments must be through the official government digital platforms. Anyone collecting cash is acting illegally, and we will not condone it", the governor warned.

He also urged drivers arrested by the Anambra Traffic Management Agency (ATMA) to make payments only through the state’s digital system.

Soludo further announced plans to establish a new task force to clamp down on illegal revenue collectors still operating in parts of the state.

“There are still areas where touts harass transporters. We will go after them. Any government official or tout found extorting drivers will be dealt with decisively,” he said.

While thanking the drivers for their endorsement, Soludo described them as critical stakeholders and the lifeline of Anambra’s economy.

He said that his administration has fixed many roads so that drivers would no longer visit mechanics frequently to repair their vehicles. "You are partners in the progress of Anambra. The roads we are building are to make your work easier and our economy stronger,” the governor added.

He further urged motorists to respect traffic rules, noting that traffic violations often lead to fatalities. “Traffic offences are serious. Anyone disobeying traffic laws should be checked, because disobedience can lead to death. We don’t want deaths on our roads,” he said.

In her remarks, the state Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike, described the rally as “a show of gratitude from the transport sector to the Solution Government.”

“The transport sector is the biggest beneficiary of Governor Soludo’s administration as over 1,000 kilometres of roads have been constructed, and our drivers no longer spend as much on vehicle repairs,” she said.

The Managing Director of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA, Brigade and Coordinator of the Solution Marshals/Transport, Mr. Celestine Anere, described drivers and the transport marshals as “the foot soldiers of the Solution Government,” who are ready to ensure Soludo’s re-election through lawful means.

Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Anambra Drivers Forum, Comrade Osita Obi, described Soludo’s leadership as “visionary and people-centered,” crediting him for restoring dignity and sanity to the transport system.

“Before Soludo emerged as governor, our parks were battlegrounds of extortion and harassment. Drivers suffered while touts thrived. But today, through his courage and reforms, the narrative has changed,” Obi said.

He highlighted the success of the state’s unified digital ticketing system and the Smart Transportation Management Scheme, which, he said, had reduced corruption and improved traffic flow across major cities.

“It is for this reason that we stand firmly behind Soludo—the people’s governor, the friend of drivers, and the reformer of our transport system," Obi stressed.

Other speakers, including representatives of tricycle operators and commercial drivers’ unions, pledged to mobilize their members across the state to deliver victory for Soludo in the coming poll.

One of the Keke union leaders disclosed that the group has over 6,000 registered members who would vote for the governor.

“Before now, bad roads made us spend heavily on repairs. But under Soludo, our maintenance costs have dropped. We will all vote for him—he has changed the story,” he said.