Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, ex-governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has commended the prudent and expertise management of the economy of Anambra state.
Delivering a lecture to mark the third anniversary of Governor Willie Obiano’s administration in Awka on Friday, Soludo, rated the state’s economy as the fourth biggest in the country.
He said the economy of Anambra, which was not an oil producing state, had been well managed under Obiano, making it one of the most buoyant states after Lagos, Abuja and Rivers.
Soludo, who said the private sector must be encouraged to drive the economy, commended the governor for attracting a sizeable number of investors to the state.
The former CBN boss, who contested for the All Progressives Grand Alliance ticket with Obiano in 2013, said he would not contest the Nov. 18 gubernatorial election.
“There is no need for change at the moment. Anambra is the fourth largest economy in Nigeria behind Lagos, Abuja and Rivers.
“The private sector must play a role to shore up the country’s earnings.
“We are in a crisis moment and you don’t change a general in the middle of the war; in Anambra, Obiano is a general.’’
He said that many people were calling on him to contest, but said: “If Anambra is not broken, why mend it?’’
Soludo said there was no vacancy in Anambra Government House in the next four years.
He urged Obiano to plead with the Federal Government to execute the second Niger Bridge and federal highways projects in the state.
Soludo also urged the governor to hasten work on the Anambra cargo airport to fast track the state’s move to assuming an international status.
