Soludo
Soludo Counters Obi on NAFDAC Market Closure, Reveals Fake Drugs Found in Plumbing Section
Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has countered former governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s criticism of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for shutting down the entire Head Bridge Market in Onitsha. The closure followed the discovery of counterfeit drugs in the Ogbo Ogwu section of the market, with NAFDAC seizing 10 trucks of substandard, expired, and falsified pharmaceutical products.
The operation also affected adjoining markets, including the plumbing materials, rod, allied and tools, provisions, and timber sections. Obi had criticized the move, calling it excessive and unjustified, and urged the immediate reopening of the unaffected markets to protect traders’ livelihoods.
However, in a statement on Saturday, February 22, 2025, Soludo defended NAFDAC’s actions, revealing that counterfeit drugs were also found in the plumbing materials section. He stated that market leaders confirmed the discovery of banned and controlled drugs in shops within the plumbing section, describing the findings as “shocking and disturbing.”
Soludo emphasized the need for NAFDAC to enforce standards and curb the sale of fake and counterfeit drugs, dismissing the criticism from “a few political actors.” He called on the federal government to tighten regulations at the supply end of the drug value chain and directed authorities to expedite the ongoing search to allow legitimate traders to resume business.
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