AFRD: “The war ended 56 years ago” — Soludo tells South-East to stop self-marginalisation, enlist in armed forces

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has insisted that no part of Nigeria is marginalising the Igbo, urging people of the South-East to abandon what he described as a lingering civil war mindset and fully embrace nation-building.

Soludo spoke on Thursday at the wreath-laying and parade ceremony marking the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka. He called on youths in the region to actively participate in Nigeria’s core institutions, particularly the military and police, warning that continued withdrawal amounted to self-marginalisation.

The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as renewed vigour and seriousness in tackling terrorism and insecurity across the country. He expressed confidence that with sustained federal commitment and improved collaboration among security agencies, Nigeria’s security challenges would be decisively addressed.

According to Soludo, insecurity had festered for nearly two decades and was almost becoming a new normal before the current administration’s renewed efforts. He praised the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for the resolve shown so far and urged him to sustain the momentum.

Soludo, however, expressed concern over the low interest shown by youths from Anambra State and the wider South-East in joining the Nigerian Army and the Police Force. He revealed that during the last recruitment exercises, Anambra recorded the lowest number of applicants nationwide, a development he described as alarming.

He warned that such apathy was counter-productive and would have long-term consequences, noting that future generations could complain about the absence of officers of Anambra or Igbo extraction in Nigeria’s security architecture despite refusing to participate when opportunities existed.

“The civil war ended 56 years ago,” Soludo said, stressing that Nigeria belonged to all its citizens and that full ownership required active participation. He added that exclusion often resulted from deliberate withdrawal from national responsibilities.

The governor also condemned criminal activities in the South-East, dismissing claims by armed groups operating in forests as false liberation struggles. He described them as criminals and kidnappers, insisting that “human beings don’t live in the forest but in houses.”

Soludo extended an olive branch to those still bearing arms, urging them to lay down their weapons and embrace peace. He said the state government was ready to help them reintegrate and become productive citizens.

“As we celebrate Armed Forces Remembrance Day, we call on everyone — in the South-East and across Nigeria — to end violence in whatever form and join in building a peaceful, progressive nation,” he said.

The event was attended by top security officials in the state, including the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu.