Anger as Nollywood actor told to relocate from Anambra over criticism of Governor Soludo

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The alleged threat by Soludo’s Men on Nollywood Actor and musician, Mr Zeruwa Nnamdi Abonyi, popularly known as “Zeruwa ” to relocate from Anambra State or face their wrath has triggered -off palpable anger from people especially the non-indigenes in the State.

The Nollywood Actor who is a candidate in the September 28, 2024 Local Government election in the State had asked Governor Soludo to tone down his policies of taxation in Anambra markets as it is having a toll on the traders.

But the Governor’s foot soldiers did not consider the comment light and asked him in video they circulated in social media platforms to relocate from Anambra State or be dealt with.

However, a group under the aegis of Concerned Non-indigenes of Anambra State (CNAS) expressed shock and disappointment at the level of degeneration in the State polity that citizens cannot freely express themselves again in a democratic set up.

The chairman of the group, Dr Jisike Nwogwugwu , said he was embarrassed that Prof Soludo who is seen as an enlightened and exposed intellectual and started his life in Nsukka and Enugu, all in Enugu State before moving to national limelight would allow this kind of breach of citizens’ fundamental rightt. in a State he presides.

He said this type of outburst by some people who believe they are fighting for him create divisiveness among Ndigbo and paint the Governor in bad light, saying that he should immediately arrest and discipline those behind the obnoxious video.

The chairman said that he does not want to restate the fact that Anambra people are enlightened and littered all over the States in South East and beyond, particularly in Enugu State where Zeruwa comes from.

” So.asking anybody to live your state because he made an innocuous statement amount to sowing the seed of hate among the people of South East.Those behind this threat should know that the people of Anàmbra State are laa over entire Enugu State . They are also in Lagos, Kano and other parts of the country. The Governor should not allow some elements to sow seed of discord that can affect his citizens in other parts of the country” he said.

Abonyi himself said he was surprised by the primitive outbursts in the circulating video which claimed they were working for the Governor in response to his criticism of him.

He noted that he did not attack or insult the personality of the Governor but highlighted what traders were going through because of his heavy tax regime,saying that what he said is in line with democratic tradition that allows freedom of speech.

The Actor said what the Governor needed to do was to investigate his claim, if found to be true he should address it instead of this harassment and intimidation.