THROWBACK: Did Soludo Lie to Nigerians on Live TV? SABMiller’s Tax Record Suggests Obi’s Investments Still Pay Off [VIDEO]

 

A resurfaced video clip featuring Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has sparked widespread debate and criticism after he bluntly stated that investments made by former Governor Peter Obi were "worth next to nothing." The remark, made on national television, was widely interpreted as an attempt to downplay Obi’s economic achievements. However, newly released government data has thrown that statement into serious doubt.

The controversy reignited after the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AiRS) released a report intended to counter Peter Obi’s recent claims about the ongoing impact of investments made during his tenure. Ironically, the document seems to do the opposite. Rather than discredit Obi, the data confirms that one of his flagship investments, the SABMiller brewery (now part of International Breweries),  remains among the state’s top tax contributors years after he left office.

Between 2021 and 2023, SABMiller was the only manufacturing company listed in the top six tax-paying entities in Anambra State. The rest of the list was dominated by banks and financial institutions. This revelation undermines Soludo’s televised claim and raises a critical question: did he knowingly mislead the public about the true value of Obi’s investments?

Political observers and ordinary citizens alike are now examining Soludo’s words with renewed skepticism. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users are openly accusing the governor of dishonesty or ignorance. One viral post by @Civilianmajor noted that despite 12 years and two successive administrations, no business as significant as SABMiller has been attracted to the state since Obi left office. The post triggered a wave of reactions demanding accountability from Soludo and his predecessor, Willie Obiano.

Peter Obi, who governed Anambra from 2006 to 2014, championed industrial development and placed heavy emphasis on investments that could drive production, create jobs, and boost internally generated revenue. SABMiller’s brewery was one of those landmark projects, launched with both private capital and public backing. Its continued relevance in the state’s tax structure appears to be proof that Obi’s economic blueprint had measurable, long-term outcomes.

Critics are now contrasting Obi’s era with what they view as a disappointing shift in economic direction under Obiano and Soludo. While Obiano is credited with investing in infrastructure and urban beautification, his administration did not replicate the level of industrial investment that Obi achieved. Soludo, on his part, has been vocal about modernizing the state's economy and focusing on digital and knowledge-based industries. But so far, there is no record of a manufacturing investment matching the scale or impact of SABMiller.

The silence from Soludo’s office since the AiRS document surfaced has added fuel to the fire. Many see the absence of a rebuttal or clarification as an indication that the administration may have underestimated the consequences of the data it released. What was supposed to be a routine counter-narrative has instead turned into a public relations nightmare.

Public perception is now shifting, with many Nigerians, particularly younger, politically aware citizens , viewing Obi’s investment strategy not as empty political talk but as a practical, results-driven approach to governance. If the current tax records are any indication, the benefits of his tenure are still flowing into Anambra’s coffers more than a decade later.

The unfolding situation has prompted calls for transparency and evidence-based governance. Political commentators argue that future statements from public officials should be grounded in facts, not politics. The Soludo administration is now under pressure to provide its own track record of major investments and their economic value.

What began as a throwback video is now shaping into a test of credibility. Soludo’s critics are demanding he either retract his statement or present solid evidence to back his claim. Until then, the growing consensus seems to be that the governor misled Nigerians, and the data is now telling a different story.

“The value of those investments is worth next to nothing.” — Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

Did he lie to Nigerians on National television? pic.twitter.com/EhpQT2SD8q

— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) July 17, 2025