By: George Ozalla
Rt. Hon. Paschal Arinzechukwukwu Agbodike, PhD, needs no introduction, having served as Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly and now as an Honorable Member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency in the 10th National Assembly under All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA. His numerous projects and achievements speaks for itself.
At the first meeting of the Anambra State Public Officers & Elders Forum (ASPOF) in 2025, held at the Grand Cubana Hotel in Abuja thursday, Agbodike expressed his support for the incumbent Governor’s re-election bid, citing his impressive performance and his own ambition to upgrade to the Senate.
When asked to introduce himself and share his thoughts on the happenings in Anambra State, Agbodike replied, “My name is Rt. Hon. Dr. Paschal Arinzechukwukwu Agbodike. I am the Member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency. I am from Anambra State. Today, we are having Anambra Public Officers and Elders Forum meeting led by our Chairman, Chief Simon Okeke (Ochendo), this is Ndi Anambra in Abuja, in a very crucial meeting where we discuss the affairs of Anambra State.”
Agbodike emphasized that not everything should be politicized, praising Governor Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s performance. “Professor Soludo is doing very well, I supported him and I shall continue to support him. It is crystal clear that our Governor is doing very marvelously well, irrespective of political party where anyone of us belongs to, we should all come together and support Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s second term gubernatorial reelection that is coming up November 8 this year.”
He encouraged constructive criticism, acknowledging the Governor’s achievements in security, infrastructure, and human capital development.
“When a man is doing well, it is our duty to report it. I know there are other people who belong to other political parties, but if one needs to criticize, let criticism be constructive, they can attest security-wise he is the best, infrastructure-wise he is doing well. Human capital, he is doing marvelously well.”
Agbodike believes that Soludo’s re-election should be unopposed, stating, “So, there is no need disturbing ourselves, anybody coming to contest election against him in Anambra State. It should be done unopposed in Anambra State, and let us do it for once in Anambra State, let Ndi Anambra, let all stakeholders make a statement that there is no vacancy in Anambra State.”
Additionally, Agbodike expressed his interest in contesting the upcoming Anambra South Senatorial District Bye-election, following the passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. “Very soon, INEC will call for Anambra South Senatorial District Bye-election, and I have interest to contest for the election, hence it is time for the contest because nature abhors vacuum. May the soul of our brother Senator Ifeanyi Ubah rest in peace, his death has created a space for bye-election in Anambra South Senatorial District, so which I will contest the election when it is time.”
Agbodike concluded by thanking Ndi Anambra and promising to continue working together to discuss the affairs of Anambra State and report on the Governor’s progress. “I say thank you to Ndi Anambra, we shall keep coming together to discuss the affairs of Ndi Anambra, the progress of Anambra State, and you people shall keep reporting the good thing our Governor is doing.”
