Doctors of Natural and Herbal medicine in Anambra State have publicly endorsed Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for a second term in office.
The endorsement was declared during a landmark gathering held in Awka over the weekend. Attendees, representing all 21 local government areas of the state, convened to deliberate on recent legislative developments, particularly the newly passed Anambra State
Homeland Security Law, and to express solidarity with Governor Soludo’s administration.
The meeting also served as a platform to clarify misconceptions surrounding the government’s stance on traditional institutions and indigenous spirituality.
Unwavering respect
Speaking at the event, the Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Ikenna Ofodeme, reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering respect for Igbo culture and traditions.
“Governor Soludo is not against our customs or traditional institutions,” Hon. Ofodeme said. “On the contrary, he is working to protect and preserve our cultural identity, while ensuring that criminal elements no longer hide under the cover of tradition to commit heinous acts.”
He noted that the Anambra State House of Assembly had recently passed a landmark bill that formally recognises and organises the operations of native doctors.
Genuine practitioners
The law, which Governor Soludo swiftly signed, distinguishes between genuine practitioners and those engaged in harmful or criminal practices.
According to Ofodeme, “the Soludo administration has drawn a bold line between cultural preservation and criminal exploitation. This law brings dignity and structure to native doctoring in our state.”
The law is seen as a pivotal step in the sanitisation of indigenous spiritual practice in Anambra, granting legitimacy to traditional practitioners and integrating their role into a safer, more accountable framework for homeland security.
In his welcome address, Daniel Ejie, State Coordinator of Native Doctors and Spiritual Material Sellers, commended the Governor for his visionary leadership and cultural inclusivity.
“Before now, we were misunderstood and unfairly lumped together with criminals,” Ejie said. “But this government has given us a voice, legal backing, and restored our dignity. Governor Soludo understands the role of traditional spirituality in our history and governance.”
Speakers at the event emphasised the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people and the importance of preserving traditional spirituality as both a way of life and a pillar of communal identity.
They applauded the government’s efforts to modernise governance while respecting indigenous institutions.
The endorsement marks a notable milestone in the build-up to the November 8, 2025 governorship election, with native doctors becoming the latest group to throw their weight behind Governor Soludo’s re-election bid.
With chants, drumming, and displays of cultural solidarity, the practitioners praised the Governor’s achievements in infrastructure, youth empowerment, digital governance, and public safety.
They described his leadership as inclusive, visionary, and responsive to the needs of all segments of society, including indigenous professions.
Lateefah Ibrahim
