By Our Correspondent
Various ethnic groups from the 35 states of the federation residing in Anambra State, have endorsed Governor Chukwuma Soludo for a second tenure, with the excited governor saying that from what is happening in the state, the people have taken over his campaign.
At the event organized by the Patriots, a support group, the leaders of the ethnic groups said Soludo deserved a second tenure to continue the “wonderful” work he is doing.
The International Convention Center, Awka was filled to capacity, with leaders of the groups eulogizing Soludo for his performance so far and promised to mobilize their people to vote for him on November 8.
Addressing the gathering, Soludo said he was humbled by their action, and promised not to disappoint them.
He said: “I’m deeply humbled by the outpouring of sentiments expressed by various tribes. I appreciate your support for us to go for second tenure. I do not take this for granted”.
Appreciating the people for being good citizens of Nigeria, the governor, who emphasized his belief in one Nigeria, added: “God didn’t make a mistake in puting us together as people of the same country with potentials to be the leader of the black race.
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“So, wherever we find ourselves, we should accept each other and work the talk. We should live it out everyday of our lives. What should concern us is what each of us can offer, not the language you speak or where you come from”.
He said further: ” I’ve been in public service at the national level and I am now in Anambra State and we live out the same principles. I don’t care where you come from. Some of my best friends are Moslem from the north. The best two drivers I ever had were from the North. Two of them are from Kogi and it didn’t matter to me where they came from.
“Some of the finest friends I’ve had were not of the same religion with me. They are not Igbo, not Christians. That is why in Anambra, we have one state, one agenda. We don’t have boundaries. Religion,, location, local government is not our concern. Once you live in Anambra, you are of Anambra.”
Noting that Anambra has never experienced this type of endorsement before, the governor said it was gladdening that the people are spending their money to enable him continue his service to the state.
He stated: “When it was time to pay for nomination form, several groups paid for it such that at a stage I wondered if it was not just one nomination form.
“When the campaigns began, the three senatorial zones held endorsement rallies and even added chieftaincy titles. The North senatorial zone gave N70m, the South senatorial zone gave N 100 million while Central also gave N70 million. By the time I finished spelling my name, communities started giving cheques. Obosi- N50m, Igboukwu – N50m, Oraifite -N100m, Ojoto – N 50m, Abatete- N20m, Ekwulobia – N80m and many more.”
According to Soludo, what used to happen in the past was that the candidate would hire a crowd, pay them to attend rallies, but this time around, people themselves are the ones paying for him.
“I will never take this your support for granted and for me, it’s a call for even greater dedication to service. We are on the march and all I can say is that we are only at the introductory stage of our development.
“Over the nest four years, once you renew my contract on November 8, then be rest assured that after the next four years, anybody who comes to Anambra would be able to recognize that something marvelous has happened.
“I am joining hands with you in building a state where I want to personally live. I want to retire and live here, take a walk on the streets. It is personal to me that we must build a place we call home.
“It is the same for all of you who are residents here. Anambra will be a destination; it will no longer be a departure lounge. The solution is here. We must make everywhere liveable in Anambra”, he stated.
