By Karen James
The arrest of Franklin Nwadialo, Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States over an alleged $3.3 million romance scam has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about the integrity of public officeholders in Anambra State.
The development has left many questioning the recruitment process of political appointees under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, especially as the state government remains silent on the matter. For over three months, there has been no official statement regarding Nwadialo’s arrest, leaving the people of Anambra in the dark about the government’s response.
Nwadialo’s arrest has cast a shadow on Governor Soludo’s leadership, with critics accusing the administration of negligence and indifference. Citizens and political analysts alike argue that such a grave allegation demands an immediate and transparent response from the government.
“The governor cannot remain silent while an official under his watch faces such damning allegations abroad. The people deserve to know if Nwadialo is still receiving salaries and allowances despite being absent from his duties. If so, this would be a clear case of financial mismanagement,” a concerned Anambra resident stated.
The situation has led to calls for a public statement from Governor Soludo, detailing what actions, if any, his administration has taken regarding Nwadialo’s arrest.
Many argue that the governor must set a precedent by ensuring that public officials, regardless of their political affiliations, are held accountable for their actions. The case has also raised broader concerns about ethical governance and the vetting process for appointing officials in Anambra State.
Political analysts warn that failure to address this issue promptly could undermine public trust in Soludo’s administration and weaken his stance on transparency and accountability.
The Anambra State Government must now take decisive action by either publicly distancing itself from Nwadialo or clarifying its stance on the matter. As calls for accountability grow louder, the people of Anambra State expect their governor to uphold his promise of good governance by addressing this controversy head-on.
The integrity of the Soludo administration is on the line, and the time for silence has passed.
