THE RAZOR reports that the governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo seems to be sitting pretty as the November 8 governorship election sets in, especially as he is bagging endorsement from every angle.
As the November 8 date for the Anambra governorship election draws close, one candidate in the election who is pretty sure of victory is the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof Chukwuma Soludo. Soludo is also the incumbent governor of Anambra State and has been adjudged to have performed creditably well by citizens of the state. He will be on the ballot to seek re-election for a second term in office as constitutionally allowed in Nigeria.
His assuredness for a second term stems from the number of endorsements he has garnered from all parts of the state, both from youth bodies, sociocultural organisations, business community, traditional institutions and market organisations among others. Finding have shown that over 100 support groups rooting for Soludo’s re-election exist in Anambra State. While some are youth based, others are community based, while some are professional groups, all seeking his re-election.
Above all these, prominent among the endorsements the governor has received in the journey for a second term are from pan sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, business leaders in Anambra, youths of the state and traditional rulers. Elder statesmen in the state have also endorsed him, but the most recent seemed to be that of President Bola Tinubu, during a one day working visit in the state. At the weekend, Anambra North zoned organized what they called the mother of all rallies to endorse him too.
During the visit of the president, Soludo received more than just the president’s endorsement as some of the speakers including former deputy governor, Chief Emeka Sibeudu, who is secretary general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who also spoke for the group; former secretary general of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku who spoke for elder statesmen of the state, chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), South East Branch, Mrs Ada Chukwudozie who spoke for the business community and Chairman of Chrome Group, Chief Emeka Offor, who spoke for captains of industries, all eulogized the governor, pledging support for his re-election and also urging the president to ensure his election for the fulfillment of the dreams of the people of the state. Each of them practically urged Tinubu to work for Soludo’s return, which was another way to beg him not to interfere in the election or to try to favour the candidate of his party, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu.
Without disappointing, Tinubu left the huge crowd roaring with excitement when he took the microphone and stated that Soludo was not a stranger to him. He proclaimed Soludo to be his long time friend, describing him as an intelligent individual, who his government long spotted and have been working with.
He said: “Two years ago, I stood here as a presidential candidate of my party to seek for your votes. I’m thankful for your support and I am happy to be here to commission some legacy projects. I salute the enterprise of the South east and her people, and your unwavering commitment to success, not just to the South east but to Nigeria as a whole.
“Soludo your son is my friend and still remains my friend. He is a brilliant man, he has the brain and he knows the way and we will work together. We will work together to bring prosperity back and put Anambra is on the rise. I have just commissioned several landmark projects today, this are bold statements and they point to his ability as a leader. I remember when he (Soludo) wanted to consolidate banks and many people said it was impossible, but he did it and today we are benefiting from that action. We will continue to partner with the states and the South east to protect our people. I have taken note of the appeals, especially about Anambra being the gully erosion capital of the South east, we will assist through the ecological funds and that will be rectified.”
Those words by the president have been highly extolled by APGA faithful, who have been sharing them everywhere on social media. Soludo has garnered several other endorsements from people outside his party. In March when the minister of works, Engr. Dave Umahi came to Anambra to inspect some federal government projects, he endorsed Soludo. He had said: “I’m elated by what I have seen. The quality of your roads; and you know I was a governor for eight years and registered significant achievements in roads construction, but I’m impressed by the quality of your roads. I don’t see anyone that can challenge you in the election. No one. Who is that, I don’t see any,” Umahi concluded.
Also, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former member of House of Representatives, Hon Ifeanyi Ibezi shortly after the APC governorship primary election endorsed Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. He said: “Soludo must go for a second term. I went on inspection of his projects and I know he is doing well. If your party is not doing well, what will you do, is it not to switch support to a better party? Do you want to be stagnated for the next eight years? I know what to do, if you have been my follower all these years and you have not learnt politics, then you are not intelligent. I will advise you to stop coming to political meetings in my house.
“Our support will move immediately to Soludo. We will start with the 710 polling units in Idemili North and South. The same way I delivered the zone to Tinubu in 2023, the same way I gave it to Soludo in 2021, that is how I will package the votes of the zone in November and deliver it to Soludo again this year.”
For Soludo, even though he is not new to endorsements, what seemed like the icing on the cake are plans by the three senatorial zones to endorse him for the election. Last weekend, the first Senatorial Zone, Anambra North held an endorsement rally for the governor, where all the prominent individuals, traditional rulers, youth groups and even faith based groups came together to proclaim him the winner of the next election.
The event held at Otuocha Township Stadium, Aguleri with a mammoth crowd in attendance. The atmosphere was electric as thousands of supporters from all walks of life came together, united by their belief in Governor Soludo’s vision for a better Anambra State gathered in colourful uniforms. The event, organized under the auspices of Anambra North Stakeholders Forum; a coalition of current and former elected officials, appointees and key stakeholders from Anambra North, is aptly themed “Sustaining The Solution Legacy; A Path To Disruptive Development In Anambra State”.
The event served not only as a rallying point for political support but also as a celebratory gathering that showcased the community’s aspirations and hopes for the future. After the endorsement, Soludo was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Oluatuegwu of Anambra. The title which means – one who is never afraid of work, was derived from an exclamation of surprise by a woman at a site where the Governor had cleared a huge heap of refuse that dates back to decades, there by recovering the area. This surprised the woman so much that he quipped that “this man is not afraid of work”.
The zone also raised a communiqué on behalf of Stakeholders in the region, which was read by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze. They among other things passed a vote of confidence on the governor because of what they described as landmark projects in Anambra North, while also endorsing him for a second term in office.
As the election date draws close, it remains to be seen which of the 15 other aspirants to the position can remove a governor who has the solid support of his people. A business woman from Umueri who spoke at the venue of the rally said: “For the first time in many years, we feel heard. Our communities see hope and are ready to work hand-in-hand with the government. We still wonder what those coming to campaign against Soludo will tell us they will do that Soludo is not doing. To me, they will only be wasting their money.”
