By Peter Omopo
Transport unions, commercial drivers, and stakeholders across Anambra State have thrown their weight behind Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s re-election bid, citing his transformative reforms in the transport sector and other areas of governance.
The endorsement was made on Monday during a mega rally at the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium in Onitsha North Local Government Area, where thousands of transport operators gathered under the banner of the Anambra Drivers Forum to pledge support for Soludo’s second-term campaign.
Governor Soludo, elected in March 2022 under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is seeking another four-year term, with his administration widely praised for implementing the “Solution Agenda” — a policy framework aimed at restoring order, efficiency, and accountability in governance.
Transport Sector Reforms Take Center Stage
Addressing the crowd, the Coordinator of the Anambra Drivers Forum and Head of the Media Sub-Committee of the event, Comrade Osita Obi, commended the governor for what he described as “courageous, visionary, and people-centred leadership” that has restored sanity to the state’s transportation system.
“For many years, our parks and roads were theatres of extortion, harassment, and lawlessness,” Obi said. “Drivers toiled day and night while touts and illegal task collectors feasted on their sweat. Then came Soludo, a man of courage and compassion, who listened to our cries and acted decisively.”
He noted that the introduction of the Digital Unified Ticketing System and the Smart Transportation Management System by the Soludo administration had curbed revenue leakages, improved transparency, and reduced congestion on major routes. According to Obi, these innovations have also eliminated the menace of multiple taxation and touting that plagued the sector for decades.
“Today, we operate with dignity. The system is fair and transparent, and drivers now see the benefits of their contributions to state revenue. That is why we are united behind Soludo’s re-election. He is the reformer our sector has long awaited,” he added.
Governor Pledges Continued Reforms, Zero Tolerance for Extortion
Responding to the endorsement, Governor Soludo expressed appreciation to the drivers and transport unions, describing them as “critical partners in Anambra’s economic growth.” He emphasized his administration’s resolve to protect drivers from illegal levies and extortion by touts and impostors claiming to work for the government.
Soludo announced plans to establish a special enforcement team to clamp down on those collecting unauthorized levies from drivers and traders, reiterating that all official payments must be made through the government’s digital platforms.
He said, “My deputy and I deeply appreciate your show of solidarity. Drivers are the lifeblood of Anambra’s economy, and our reforms are designed to make your work easier, safer, and more rewarding. We have fixed many roads, improved traffic management, and brought order to the transport system so that you can operate without harassment.”
The governor also urged drivers not to yield to any form of extortion, warning that any individual or group found collecting money outside the approved channels would face prosecution.
Political Mobilisation for 2025 Polls Begins
Also speaking at the rally, the Managing Director of the Ocha Brigade and Coordinator of the Solution Marshal/Transport Team, Celestine Anere, said the transport community had begun mobilising support for Soludo ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship election.
According to Anere, “The Solution Marshals and drivers are the foot soldiers of this administration. We are fully prepared to defend our votes and ensure a resounding victory for the governor. Our mobilisation has been ongoing for months, and we will continue until the job is done.”
The event featured solidarity speeches from transport leaders across the 21 local government areas of the state, cultural displays, and a parade by members of the Solution Marshals and affiliated transport unions.
With this endorsement, Governor Soludo’s re-election bid appears to be gaining momentum among grassroots stakeholders, especially within the transport sector—one of the key pillars of the state’s informal economy.
