Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has sparked controversy after he praised the Dunamis International Gospel Centre for its “orderly” crusade at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, a city battling multiple infrastructure challenges. The governor’s remarks come as the church, led by Pastor Paul Enenche, conducted what he called a “quintessential evangelism” event without inconveniencing road users, leading him to refund the church’s venue fees and offer the location for future programs.
While Soludo’s praise has earned widespread acclaim within the religious community, questions are being raised about his priorities. Critics argue that the state’s focus on religious events and gestures such as the facelift of Ekwueme Square and its surrounding areas may be diverting attention from more pressing issues like lack of basic infrastructure, healthcare, and educational resources for ordinary citizens.
In a statement from his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the governor urged the church to intensify prayers for the state’s spiritual renewal, pushing for greater support in shaping the moral direction of Anambra’s youth. However, some have viewed the call as an attempt to shift blame onto the church for societal issues such as crime and drug trafficking, rather than focusing on systemic governmental solutions.
As Soludo’s administration plans a facelift for Ekwueme Square, residents and opposition leaders are questioning whether beautification efforts will truly address the state’s deep-rooted social and economic problems. The question now looms: Is the governor’s deepening ties with the church a strategic move for political gain, or a genuine effort to promote societal change in a state desperately in need of comprehensive development?
