By IKEMEFUNA OZOBI
Accomplished Anambra industrialist and ‘edupreneur’, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has condemned the continued captivity of Most Rev (Prof) Godwin Okpala, the Emeritus Anglican Archbishop of the Province on the Niger and Bishop of Nnewi, alongside his driver.
The two were kidnapped over 12 days ago while travelling to Umuchu in Aguata LGA of Anambra State, a 29km, 48-minute drive from Nnewi, for a burial, by gunmen who have kept them hostage since then, drawing outrage from across the State.
In a statement yesterday – Thursday, December 19 – Chukwuma, a frontline Anambra 2025 governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, the nation’s ruling party, expressed his outrage over what he described as a “heinous and unforgivable crime,” lambasting the Anambra State government for its “deafening silence and shameful lack of decisive action” in the face of such a brazen attack on a revered cleric and an elder statesman.
“This is an egregious assault on our collective humanity and an affront to the moral and religious fabric of Anambra State. Archbishop Okpala is not just a man of God but a symbol of peace, hope, and service to our people. His continued captivity, alongside his driver, is a dark stain on the conscience of this State,” Sir Paul agonized.
Taking a swipe at Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his administration for what he described as their “lethargic and uninspired response” to the kidnap, Sir Paul accused them of abandoning their fundamental duty to protect lives and property.
“The state government’s inaction is not just disappointing; it is outright reprehensible. The silence of Governor Soludo in the face of this unfortunate incident smacks of gross negligence and insensitivity. It is shameful that, 12 days after this despicable crime, we have seen no concrete steps, no assurances and no visible efforts to secure the release of Archbishop Okpala and his driver,” Sir Paul fumed.
He urged the State government to immediately implement a robust rescue operation, insisting that Governor Soludo’s much-touted new security initiative must begin with the release of the kidnapped cleric.
“Enough of the empty rhetoric. Governor Soludo must wake up to the insecurity ravaging this state. If this administration cannot guarantee the safety of a man of Archbishop Okpala’s stature, what hope is there for the ordinary Anambra citizen? The governor must act now, not tomorrow, and show that he can protect the people he was elected to serve,” Chukwu, easily Anambra’s most heavily invested education sector entrepreneur, declared.
He also condemned the kidnappers in the strongest terms, calling their actions “barbaric and cowardly.”
He, however, implored them to release the cleric and his driver without further delay, urging them to “reflect on their despicable actions and choose the path of repentance and redemption.”
“Archbishop Okpala has spent his life preaching peace, unity, and godliness. To hold such a man in captivity is not only inhumane but also an act of war against decency and morality. His abductors must release him and his driver immediately and unconditionally,” Chukwuma stressed.
Calling on all well-meaning Anambra residents to demand Archbishop Okpala’s immediate release and security agencies to step up their efforts to curb the growing wave of criminality in the state, Sir Paul surmised: “This state cannot afford to descend further into chaos. The continued captivity of Archbishop Okpala is a painful reminder of the glaring failure of leadership. It is time for Governor Soludo to stop making promises and start delivering results. Anambra deserves better.”
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