Elections
Stop Inciting Us Against Tinubu, Anambra APC Chief Tackles Soludo
By Imman Onyero
Anambra-born pharmacist and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Pharm. Ikeagwuonwu Chinedu Klinsmann, has accused Governor Charles Soludo of inciting Anambrarians against the Federal Government over the recent closure of the Onitsha Head Bridge Drug Market by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
In a statement issued on Sunday, Klinsmann criticized Soludo for shifting blame onto the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and downplaying the efforts of Senator Tony Nwoye and other personalities who visited the drug market before him. He described the governor’s remarks as “diversionary tactics that fail to address the core issues surrounding the market’s closure”.
“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is an agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which operates as an independent customs service under the supervisory oversight of the Nigerian Ministry of Finance,.
“An accusation against the agency is a direct accusation against the Tinubu led Federal Government of Nigeria. Yes, this is a serious accusation against President Tinubu, which Governor Soludo should explain more,” he insisted.
Pharm. Klinsmann pointed out that contrary to Soludo’s claims that the NCS was facilitating the importation of substandard drugs into Anambra State, the Agency, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has been actively intercepting and destroying illicit pharmaceutical products.
“In August 2024, the NCS seized expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals worth N1.8 billion at the Apapa Port, including tramadol and other controlled substances lacking NAFDAC approval. This demonstrates the agency’s commitment to curbing the influx of fake drugs, contradicting Soludo’s accusations,” he stated.
He further noted that In November 2024, the NCS and NAFDAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance intelligence sharing and joint operations, reinforcing efforts to eliminate fake medicines in Nigeria.
This partnership, Klinsmann noted, underscores a concerted effort to safeguard public health and ensure that only quality medications are available in the Nigerian market.
Commending NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, for her commitment to sanitizing the pharmaceutical sector, Klinsmann stressed that the Onitsha Drug Market, once a major commercial hub for pharmaceutical trade, had over the years gained notoriety as a hotspot for the distribution of fake, expired, and unregistered drugs, posing a serious threat to the health and safety of millions of Nigerians. He emphasized that such an environment could no longer be tolerated if Nigeria was to build a resilient and effective healthcare system.
While acknowledging the economic disruption caused by the closure, Klinsmann said it was a necessary sacrifice for long-term public health security. He urged affected traders to embrace the ongoing pharmaceutical regulatory reforms and transition into a compliant and structured drug distribution framework as outlined by NAFDAC.
“I understand the concerns of traders who have been displaced by this decision, but we must put the health of Nigerians first. This is an opportunity to reset the system and ensure that pharmaceutical business in Nigeria aligns with global best practices. I encourage all stakeholders to support NAFDAC’S regulatory efforts and adapt to the evolving landscape of the industry,” he added.
The Stockholm-based pharmacist and development advocate also asserted that Governor Soludo’s focus on assigning blame to federal agencies and political figures detracts from the pressing need to address the proliferation of counterfeit drugs within the state. He emphasized that effective leadership requires proactive measures to tackle such challenges head-on, rather than resorting to political grandstanding.
“The recent visit by former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi,Senator Tony Nwoye, members of the National Assembly,members of State Assembly and the Anambra State Chairman of APC, Mr. Basil Ejidike, to the Onitsha drug market was a commendable effort to assess the situation and engage with affected stakeholders, which Anambrarians applauded. Governor Soludo’s characterization of this visit as petty and diversionary raises questions about his commitment to collaborative problem-solving,” stated Klinsmann.
Pharm. Klinsmann further took a swipe at Governor Soludo for referencing the tenure of former Governor Peter Obi, while recalling that the market remained closed for four months in 2007 under the leadership of the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, then Director-General of NAFDAC. He finds it regrettable that Soludo would, in a desperate bid to secure his re-election, invoke the memory of Prof. Akunyili in a manner that undermines her relentless fight against fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria. He opined that Prof. Akunyili’s dedication to sanitizing the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria was marked by personal sacrifices, including surviving two assassination attempts.
Klinsmann wondered why Governor Soludo as the chief Security officer of the state was not aware of the Closure of the drug market and waited for Mr Peter Obi, Anambra APC delegation led by Basil Ejidike and Lawmakers led by Senator Tony Nwoye to visit and encourage the traders first before he saw the need to rush down to the market yesterday to accuse others. He therefore urged Governor Soludo to engage relevant stakeholders, including NAFDAC, the Federal Government, and pharmaceutical regulators, to facilitate the safe reopening of the Onitsha Drug Market while implementing strict measures to prevent future proliferation of fake drugs.
“Leadership is about solutions, not political grandstanding. Governor Soludo should focus on engaging stakeholders to develop a system that balances regulatory enforcement with the economic well-being of legitimate traders,” he stated.
Pharm. Klinsmann also called for the establishment of a structured and government-supervised pharmaceutical distribution hub in the South-East, similar to those in advanced economies.
He urged the Federal Government, the Anambra State Government, and professional regulatory bodies like the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to collaborate in setting up such a hub.
Highlighting the crucial role of Igbos in the diaspora in ensuring a sustainable transformation of the pharmaceutical industry, Klinsmann urged Igbo professionals, investors, and health experts to support efforts aimed at sanitizing drug distribution networks by investing in regulated pharmaceutical ventures in Nigeria.
“Our brothers and sisters abroad must help revolutionize the industry. Instead of operating illegal drug markets, we need well-structured research laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, and modern drug retail chains. I call on Ndi Igbo in the diaspora to channel their investments towards this new reality,” he stated.
He emphasized that investing in pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and modern retail pharmacy chains would not only ensure the availability of safe medicines but also create jobs, drive economic growth, and enhance Nigeria’s reputation in the global pharmaceutical space.
He also advocated for nationwide public sensitization campaigns to educate Nigerians about the dangers of purchasing medicines from unverified sources. He urged religious institutions, community leaders, and civil society organizations to actively participate in raising awareness.
Klinsmann urged NAFDAC to ensure clarity and fairness in the implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), which aims to restructure Nigeria’s chaotic drug supply chain. He stressed the importance of engaging stakeholders constructively to ensure smooth compliance with new policies.
In his final remarks on the Soludo government’s approach to the drug market saga, Klinsmann stressed that Anambra State deserves leadership focused on solutions rather than unnecessary political confrontations. “Governor Soludo should channel his energy into addressing the underlying issues that led to the market’s closure and myriads of problems in the state which he has failed to solve than looking for excuses to attack others to gain cheap political points
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