Veteran Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has publicly challenged Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo over what she describes as unfulfilled promises regarding water infrastructure in the state, reigniting debate about campaign pledges and governance accountability in Nigeria’s Southeast.
In a strongly-worded statement posted to her Instagram account Sunday morning, Edochie accused the governor—who secured re-election after promising to restore pipe-borne water services—of orchestrating what she termed “campaign magic” that evaporated once votes were counted.
According to Edochie, residents of Onitsha, the state’s commercial hub, experienced a brief reprieve from their water crisis during Soludo’s re-election campaign when taps suddenly began flowing after years of reliance on commercial borehole suppliers. However, she claims this relief proved temporary and politically motivated.
“During the last campaign that brought back the incumbent, Professor Charles Soludo, we were enjoying pipe-borne water. It helped to ease the sufferings of the residents of Onitsha, who before then were relying on the services of water borehole suppliers,” Edochie wrote. “Today, we are back to square one. The taps are dried up; the campaign songs and promises are gone with the wind.”
The actress, known for her outspoken nature both on and off screen, addressed the governor by his traditional title, “Olu Atu Egwu,” as she pressed him to honor his commitment to the state’s residents.
Edochie’s critique extends beyond Governor Soludo to encompass broader concerns about political culture in Nigeria. In her statement, she acknowledged growing cynicism among citizens regarding politicians’ promises.
“A lot of people believe that politicians are men of many words, that they speak from both sides of the mouth. I am beginning to agree with them, judging from what I have seen in Nigerian politics,” she wrote, while noting that not all politicians fall into this category.
The actress also directed criticism at political advisers, suggesting they share responsibility for failing to hold their principals accountable to campaign commitments.
Edochie painted a picture of compounding hardships facing Onitsha residents, who she says are now contending with both an unreliable electricity supply and the absence of running water—two essential services she described as critical to sustaining daily life.
“We are suffering. No steady power supply and no pipe-borne water. These are essential commodities that help to sustain life,” she stated, indicating that residents have resorted to prayer while hoping for government intervention.
According to the actress, who claims to have conducted “a little research” on the matter, the solution may not be as complex as it appears. She suggests that relatively minor actions by the governor could restore water services and alleges these steps have already been brought to his attention without response.
Edochie concluded her statement with a direct appeal: “I plead on behalf of the residents of Onitsha that His Excellency Governor Charles Soludo should re-enact the campaign magic so that the taps should become functional once more.”
The use of the phrase “campaign magic” carries pointed implications about the timing and sincerity of infrastructure improvements that coincided with election activities.
As of press time, neither Governor Soludo nor representatives from the Anambra State government have responded publicly to Edochie’s allegations. The governor’s office has not issued a statement addressing the water situation in Onitsha or the actress’s claims about campaign-period service restoration.
The controversy highlights persistent challenges facing Nigerian states in delivering basic infrastructure and raises questions about the relationship between electoral politics and public service delivery—issues that resonate far beyond Anambra State’s borders.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has publicly accused Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo of manipulating water services for political gain—alleging that pipe-borne water mysteriously flowed during his re-election campaign but stopped immediately after he won.
Onitsha residents, who briefly enjoyed running water during the campaign period, have now returned to relying on expensive commercial water suppliers while also facing irregular electricity.
Edochie’s core message: the governor used infrastructure as “campaign magic” to secure votes, then abandoned his promise once re-elected, leaving citizens struggling with necessities.
