Tag: Charles Soludo

Charles Soludo takes over as Governor of Anambra State from Willie Obiano

Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo has taken over as the Governor of Anambra State, assuming the reins of leadership of the State from now former Governor Willie Obiano.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof. Soludo took the oath of office on Thursday, March 17, 2022, to become the 6th democratically elected Governor of Anambra.

He was sworn in as the new Governor of Anambra State along with his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim by Hon. Justice Onochie Manasseh Anyachebelu, Chief Judge of the State.

Governor Soludo took over the reins of power from former Governor Obiano, who served the State for eight years, and whose tenure ended today.

Soludo is a world-renowned economist, who formally served as Chief Economic Adviser to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo when he [Obasanjo] was president of Nigeria.

Soludo later became the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before veering into politics proper.

With an admirable background in the national economy and a stunning academic profile, the new Governor is coming into office with high expectations from the people of Anambra State and Nigerians across the federation.

Soludo urged not to repeat Obiano’s mistakes

Meanwhile, the incoming Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo has been urged by a lawmaker in the State, Dr Timothy Ifedioranma not to repeat the mistakes of his predecessor, Dr Willie Obiano.

Ifedioranma, representing Njikoka Constituency I, under the platform of All Progressives Congress in the Anambra State House of Assembly, made the call while assessing the performance of the outgoing administration of Obiano, on Thursday in Awka.

The lawmaker said that Obiano had good intentions but the actions behind the good intentions were not properly carried out. He lamented that Obiano’s legacy projects were carried out at the expense of other sectors of the state.

“We are grateful for the International Airport, it has made travelling easy for residents but the fact is that the airport project crippled other sectors of the economy and state.

“An example is the state of our roads, they are in bad shape. Now we have an airport but we do not have a road to that airport.

“Another one is that we can have an international convention centre that is not of that magnitude and that will not gulp close to N10 billion.

“We can have 5,000 instead of the 10,000 seating capacity that was built so that the funds can be channelled to other important projects.

“Governance is about the welfare and security of people. Obiano began well during his first tenure in the aspect of security but he ended poorly and somebody has to say it.

“If he had ended his administration in the first tenure, I would have scored his performance 80 per cent but his last tenure was a disaster. So many other sectors suffered because he was pursuing his legacy projects.

“So, I need to tell him the feelings of my constituents as an elected member of the state Assembly.

“My advice to the incoming governor, Prof. Soludo, is that he should not make the same mistakes his predecessor made so that at the end of his tenure, he will be remembered for good,” he said.

March 17, 2022
Soludo takes oath amid tight security in Anambra state

Preparations are in top gear for the Inauguration of Charles Soludo as the fifth civilian governor of the state.

Charles Soludo will take over mantle of leadership of Anambra state from Willie Obiano after his victory at the poll conducted in November 2021.

Although the governor-elect said the event will be low-key, as of early Thursday, the venue of the inauguration was a hive of activities as guests, including the outgoing governor and his wife, began to arrive.

Strong security presence has been noticed within and around the Government House with guests being checked.

A circular conveying event programme shows that just 61 guests were invited for the Inauguration.

.On Wednesday, the outgoing governor had handed over documents containing the state’s assets and liabilities and ongoing projects to the former CBN governor.

Reports have it that incoming governor would make his first key appointments after the Inauguration has been concluded.

In his farewell speech, Governor Obiano had thanked the people of Anambra for the opportunity to serve, pleading for forgiveness from those he might have offended during his stint as the leader of the southeast state.

“Brothers and sisters, as your governor, I worked under extreme pressure. I took many hard decisions. I stepped on toes. I didn’t answer some phone calls. I lost some friends on account of these,” Obiano said.

He admitted that while he may not have fulfilled all his promises, his intentions were pure from the onset, believing that history will be kind to him.

Obiano, who reeled out some of his achievements, said his government built “a revolutionary security architecture”.

“As a result of this, all the communities got projects worth N40 million each from my administration,” he said.

March 17, 2022
Soludo urged not to repeat Obiano’s mistakes

Incoming Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo has been urged by a lawmaker in the State, Dr Timothy Ifedioranma not to repeat the mistakes of his predecessor, Dr Willie Obiano.

Ifedioranma, representing Njikoka Constituency I, under the platform of All Progressives Congress in the Anambra State House of Assembly, made the call while assessing the performance of the outgoing administration of Obiano, on Thursday in Awka.

Soludo will on Thursday take the oath of office as the sixth Executive Governor of Anambra State.

The lawmaker said that Obiano had good intentions but the actions behind the good intentions were not properly carried out.

He lamented that Obiano’s legacy projects were carried out at the expense of other sectors of the state.

“We are grateful for the International Airport, it has made travelling easy for residents but the fact is that the airport project crippled other sectors of the economy and state.

“An example is the state of our roads, they are in bad shape. Now we have an airport but we do not have a road to that airport.

“Another one is that we can have an international convention centre that is not of that magnitude and that will not gulp close to N10 billion.

“We can have 5,000 instead of the 10,000 seating capacity that was built so that the funds can be channelled to other important projects.

“Governance is about the welfare and security of people. Obiano began well during his first tenure in the aspect of security but he ended poorly and somebody has to say it.

“If he had ended his administration in the first tenure, I would have scored his performance 80 per cent but his last tenure was a disaster. So many other sectors suffered because he was pursuing his legacy projects.

“So, I need to tell him the feelings of my constituents as an elected member of the state Assembly.

“My advice to the incoming governor, Prof. Soludo, is that he should not make the same mistakes his predecessor made so that at the end of his tenure, he will be remembered for good,” he said.

March 17, 2022
Anambra: We will keep Soludo on his toes – PDP

Mr Christian Chima, a chieftain of the PDP in Anambra, says the party will be a strong opposition by keeping the governor-elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo on his toes.

Chima, who is aspiring to be elected the Publicity Secretary of Anambra chapter of the PDP in the upcoming party congresses in February, disclosed this to newsmen in Awka on Friday.

He said as the March 17 inauguration of Anambra’s governor-elect drew close, the party was ready to live up to its responsibility as an opposition party in the state.

According to him, Soludo cannot afford to fail or disappoint as the people are hopeful that he will be that light at the end of south east’s political tunnel.

“We are at a time when the confidence of the masses on the political leadership of the south east is at an all-time low.

“The whole of the south east, not just Anambra, suffers from pervasive voter apathy, rooted in a deep-seated feeling that the collective aspiration of our people can no longer be achieved through the political process.

“Soludo is brilliant and eloquent, especially through his utterances since he was declared governor-elect. This has raised a lot of hope that democracy can be given one more shot in the state.

“One can then imagine how tragic it will become if Soludo disappoints. That possible endpoint is frightening and if it happens, the south east will, no doubt, slide into possible anarchy.

“This is why Soludo, when he becomes the governor of Anambra , cannot be allowed to fail, ” he said.

Chima said he was running for the office of the publicity secretary of the PDP in Anambra because there was need for a vibrant opposition in the state

“We are more mindful of the harm Soludo’s failure will do to the collective psyche and destiny of our people, than the cheap political points that may accrue to our party on the account of his failure.

“The goal is not to provide toxic opposition but through robust engagement, Soludo will, at every turn, see Anambra PDP as a constant reminder of the enormous responsibility that has been placed on his shoulders.

“Soludo will also be reminded of the monumental consequences of him not doing the work expected of him,” he said.

January 29, 2022
As Soludo takes the baton in Anambra – By Carl Umegboro

By Carl Umegboro

On 17 March, Professor Chukwuma Soludo will be sworn in as governor of Anambra state following his resounding victory at the poll held on the 6th and 9th November, 2021 across the 21 LGAs that make up the state. The election was held against many odds; from kidnapping, banditry on many highways across the country to senseless killings in the South East by gunmen which apparently contributed to low turnout of voters. The total registered voters in Anambra was 2,466,638 but only 253,388 voters showed up for accreditation. Still, out of the accredited figure, only 249,631 voters persevered to cast their votes. Amid these odds, the majority of the voters endorsed a renowned professor of economics, Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to succeed Willie Obiano. Soludo resoundingly won in 19 out of 21 local government areas, and consequently returned by the Returning Officer, Prof Florence Obi as duly elected.

However, political gladiators haven’t given up. On 1 December 2020, Justice Taiwo Oladipupo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja valiantly dismissed a ridiculous application against APGA’s victory, and awarded N2 million against the plaintiffs describing the suit as “frivolous, irritating, baseless, and lacking merit”. Furthermore, thirteen political parties have filed petitions at the Anambra Governorship Election Tribunal including those that had earlier congratulated the winner. Whilst the rest demand for cancellation of the poll with flimsy reasons, APC believably the actual opponent claimed he won the poll with the highest votes, a similar scenario and technicality that played out in favour of Hope Uzodimma in Imo state. Many perceive that the other political parties that filed petitions were shrewdly hired to neutralize the contest as a solo thing.

Be that as it may, the onus is on the judiciary to show expertise. The judiciary should note that till date, the people of Imo have not recovered from the shock in 2020. As we speak, the present government of Imo state still struggles for legitimacy on account that the peoples’ votes didn’t count accordingly. The beneficiary is pigeonholed as the ‘Supreme Court-governor’ and ‘government by the court’ (as against the government of the people), and this could seriously, negatively affect the masses’ disposition in future elections. Rationally, when faced with such situations, the court at most, could order a rerun for the contested areas to ensure that peoples’ votes ultimately count rather than the ‘Father-Xmas’ approach thereby installing an ‘undemocratic government’ in a democracy.

Unacceptably, the judiciary cannot turn to a tool for crooked politicians to destroy democracy. Conventionally, any verdict that is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience will confront legitimacy crises. Even if the judgment in the Imo governorship poll was technically sound, it lacks fairness considering that democratic values were flouted. Obviously, if this pattern is not checked, people may lose confidence in democracy and may not bother to campaign and vote, instead spare their energy for frivolous legal claims. This possibly accounted for why only few candidates campaigned vigorously in the Anambra election.

Looking at Soludo’s blueprints, right from campaign, the former CBN governor assured of a paradigm shift, to run an all-inclusive government in Anambra that would usher robust changes in the polity, precisely a radical transformation approach. Expressing confidence in him, President Muhammadu Buhari in his congratulatory message over his victory elatedly looks forward to his cooperation. The president said: “I look forward to working with you for peace, security and development of Anambra State and the entire country”.

To walk-the-talk, Soludo has constituted an 80-member transition committee chaired by Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former minister, and prominent Nigerians with stout profiles notwithstanding state-of-origin as members but on pro bono. Members include Prof Pat Utomi from Delta State, a Professor at Lagos Business School; Dr. Alex Otti from Abia State, former Managing Director of Diamond Bank who through radical innovations took the bank to enviable height, Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) etc. Many wondered why such a longlist for a mere transition committee and, with some non-Anambra indigenes. To assemble mavens in various fields as a kind of pre-inauguration symposium strongly points to Soludo’s determination to usher in economic revolution. Understandably, the longlist is more or less a leaders’ summit and suggests that the incoming-governor is determined for exploits, and seriously setting directions and targets for his administration. Deductively, Soludo fathoms leadership from previous engagements.

At the inauguration of the transition committee, Soludo gave an insight of his forthcoming administration and profoundly announced that he would work with experts from anyplace not minding the state-of-origin and reiterated his priority is service-delivery. Remarkably, he avowed that his administration is not for jamborees, hence, no fanfare during inauguration. In fact, Soludo has scheduled to proceed straight to the field immediately after swearing-in for work, and outrightly threw away ‘His Excellency’ title into the abyss and preferred to be addressed as ‘Charlie Nwamgbafor’ or at most Mr. Governor. Earlier, during a pre-campaign interview with BBC-Igbo, Soludo had unassumingly introduced himself as ‘Charlie Nwamgbafor’ which translates to ‘Charles, Mgbafor’s son in Igbo as fondly called while growing up in Aguata. His mother’s name; Mgbafor is a female born on ‘Afor’ day in Igbo tradition, and rarely will anyone of his standing mention such a name today or accept his mother’s name bears any of those olden days’ names in this modern age.

By the demonstrated openness, zeal, teamwork, knowing his roots and onions, Soludo realistically will take Anambra to enviable height and change the face of leadership in Nigeria. This is the revolution to strive for. As Soludo argues, if capable hands could man various states that make up the country, national growth will be certain. I agree with him absolutely. To put a square peg in a square hole remains the challenge facing the country. Putting it better, many occupying leadership positions nationwide have no business at all to be nearby. Thus, all eyes are on Soludo to break the jinx. Carry on Soludo!

Umegboro is a public affairs analyst and social advocate (08023184542-Whatsapp).

January 25, 2022
Don’t expect much from Soludo’s first 1yr in office – APGA chieftain

Mr Ikechukwu Tabansi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra, has advised residents not to expect so much from Prof. Charles Soludo’s first year in office as governor.
Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), won the Nov. 6, 2021 governorship election in the state and will be sworn in on March 17.
Tabansi told journalists in his Nri county home in Anaocha Local Government Area on Monday that the present economic downturn in the country might adversely affect Soludo’s programmes and policies.
He said that the poor state of roads in the state and other compelling needs might slow down the speed of the next government.
He said: “In spite building an airport, it was wrong for the present administration to neglect other sectors, especially the roads.
“In addition to fixing the roads, the payment of workers’ salaries, among other compelling needs, will be waiting for him.
“Some people might think that these problems would be solved within his one year in office.
“I don’t expect much because the nation is experiencing economic downturn.
“But with the support of the people, in the long run, he is going to do so much for the state.”
Tabasi said that as CBN governor, Soludo’s achievements were outstanding, adding, “if given the necessary support, he will replicate that feat in the state.
He urged Soludo to explore all revenue windows to ensure that he acquitted himself in the delivery of democracy dividend to the people.
“When I was in charge of public motor parks in Onitsha, I was generating over N97 million monthly.
“I believe that many other sectors can also bring money into government coffers, so his administration must explore these windows,” Tabansi said.

January 18, 2022
Anambra governorship election petitions tribunal relocates to Ilorin

The Anambra governorship election petitions tribunal has relocated its sittings from Awka to Ilorin in Kwara.

Mr Surajo Gusau, Secretary of the tribunal, disclosed this in Awka on Tuesday.

Gusau said that the movement took place on Dec. 17 saying that the tribunal had already settled down in Ilorin.

He, however, did not disclose the reasons for the relocation, saying it was based an administrative directive.

Gusau said that the tribunal was handling 12 cases apart from the one filed by Accord Party which was withdrawn on Dec. 9.

The tribunal was set up to handle petitions arising from the Anambra governorship poll, won by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

December 21, 2021
BREAKING: Soludo receives certificate of return from INEC as Anambra governor-elect

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented certificate of return to the Governor-elect of Anambra State, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the electoral management body in the country presented the certificate of return to Prof. Soludo at its headquarters in Awka, capital of the State.

The certificate of return signed by the Chairman of INEC, Mahmoud Yakubu was presented to Soludo by the INEC Federal Commissioner on Voter Education, Festus Okoye.

Recall that Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had been declared winner of the Anambra November 6 governorship election by INEC after a supplementary poll was held in Ihiala local government area of the State.

The Anambra governorship election has been adjudged to be the most free, fair and credible poll in the history of Nigeria with APGA securing an overwhelmingly landslide victory.

In a brief remark after receiving the certificate of return, Soludo thanked God, and the people of Anambra State for the victory he enjoyed at the poll.

“I have just received my certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Thank you Ndị Anambra for the overwhelming support.

“This divine mandate shall be deployed for the good of the Anambra public and humanity at large,” Soludo said shortly after receiving the certificate of return.

See photos below:

November 12, 2021
Anambra: Ozigbo calls Soludo on phone, lambasts INEC after losing governorship election

In the fallout from the November 6 Anambra State governorship election, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called his All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) counterpart, Prof. Charles Soludo on the phone to congratulate him.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Ozigbo made this known on Wednesday in a statement, in which he stressed that the election was fraught with a lot of short-comings on the part of various government institutions.

Ozigbo argued that security agencies failed to provide a peaceful environment for campaigns to hold, and that on election day, the security operatives were absent from many polling centres leading to elections not holding or held in situations that allowed for chaos and fraud.

The PDP candidate in the statement also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of presenting untrained and poorly trained staff who could not operate the voting machines in many places, stressing that the Commission failed woefully in providing logistical support for their staff and so elections started very late in many places and did not hold in many others.

Ozigbo’s statement reads: “I have just called Professor Chukwuma Soludo and congratulated him on being declared the winner of the Anambra State governorship elections, 2021. I wished him well and prayed for his success.

“Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate all the men and women who contested our dear state’s governorship this year. You all have shown a determination to see that Anambra is better. It was an honour to run this race with you.

“Two years ago, I decided to go into active partisan politics with a number of objectives in mind.

“First, to use Anambra to set an example of excellence in governance. The second was to unify Anambra and Ala Igbo around a shared vision of greatness. The third was to inspire more professionals to go into politics. I believe that attainment of these would go a long way in changing the story of black men and women in this world for the better.

“Pulled by the vision of a better and brighter Anambra, we set out on the quest for governorship, resolute on taking revolutionary steps to address the decay and decline in security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, the environment, and all other social systems meant to serve the people.

“As laid out in our Ka Anambra Chawapu Manifesto, we planned to transform Anambra into the most competitive sub-national economy in Nigeria by opening up public, social, and commercial spaces leveraging on the strength of our youth and women. Ultimately, to make Anambra the pride of Nigeria.

“Given where we started and where we are today, we consider ourselves winners. Our Ka Anambra Chawapu message has permeated the consciousness of Ndi Anambra, and the nation at large. It is the strongest message that has come out of Anambra 2021, and it continues to beat in the hearts of Ndi Igbo.

“On unifying Ala Igbo, I believe that every Igbo person now understands that they have a voice in me because I will forever speak in the interest of the Igbo Nation and the rest of the marginalised and forgotten in Nigeria.

“During this journey, especially in the last months, I have met many professionals who have been inspired into politics by our message and asked me how I got to this level in my first attempt. I urge them to keep the faith. Don’t ever let the candle that has been lit in you dim. Our country needs your active participation in her affairs.

“We documented our grand vision for a brighter and better Anambra and presented it to our people with the energy to implement it. Though we may not have the opportunity in the immediate to get it started, we will be holding the government in power accountable to ensure that the welfare of the people is foremost in their actions at all times.

“I acknowledge that we could not have done this alone. I am a child of Grace. I thank the Almighty God who chose me for this mission for His abundant mercies and love.

“I thank all the courageous men and women who first believed in me, many of them without knowing me well. You are the heroes of our Ka Anambra Chawapu Movement. I also thank everyone who believed, even without meeting me, who heard our message and came out in full support.

“I am grateful to every single person who joined our movement and contributed in one way or the other. The thousands who showed us so much love, from youths and women in the grassroot, to those in the diaspora, to the Non Indigenes, various church groups across all denominations, market women, civil servants, artisans, and many more. Thank you for your prayers, your material, financial, and intellectual contributions. May the Lord reward you abundantly.

“I thank the leaders and pillars of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the national (especially the PDP Governors), state and ward levels who stood by us and worked tirelessly to win the mandate of Ndi Anambra. I appreciate your amazing support and friendship.

“Most importantly, I thank the entire Ndi Anambra – home and abroad. The openness, love, and enthusiasm with which you received us, especially as we campaigned across the state, is one that my wife, my running mate and I will cherish forever.

“This election was fraught with a lot of short-comings on the part of various government institutions. The security agencies failed to provide a peaceful environment for campaigns to hold. On election day, they were absent from many polling centres leading to elections not holding or held in situations that allowed for chaos and fraud.

“The national electoral commission presented untrained and poorly trained staff who could not operate the voting machines in many places. They failed woefully in providing logistical support for their staff and so elections started very late in many places and did not hold in many others.

“The use of government funds and resources to corrupt, coerce, and intimidate voters, PDP party agents, and electoral officials was a major factor in determining the outcome of this election.

“All of these led to the disenfranchisement of the greater percentage of voters and staining the course of democracy. I will be dedicating time to champion the positive change we need to ensure that future elections are truly free and fair and that the will of the electorate prevails.

“Denominational politics was also a factor. We need to do a lot more to ensure that competence is never sacrificed on this altar, and that democracy is practiced in line with its truest tenets.

“In all, I am more determined to working for a better future for our children by remaining in active politics and rebuilding our party to be more united and more robust for those who come after us. Ka Anambra Chawapu. May God bless you all and bless Anambra State. Thank you”.

TNG reports Prof Soludo contested the governorship election against Ozigbo and Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and emerged victorious.

The declaration of Soludo was, however, sequel to his victory after the successful conduct of the supplementary election in Ihiala local government on Tuesday.

The supplementary poll was conducted after the declaration of Saturday’s gubernatorial poll as inconclusive by the Returning Officer, Prof. Florence Obi, the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar.

Obi in the early hours of Wednesday declared Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winner after polling a total of112,229 votes.

He defeated his closest rival, Mr Ozigbo of the PDP, who scored 53,807 to emerge second. Sen. Andy Uba of the APC got a total of 43,285 votes to clinch the third position.

November 10, 2021
Buhari extends arm of fellowship to Anambra Governor-elect, Soludo

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended an arm of fellowship to the Governor-elect of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari extended the hand of fellowship in a congratulatory message shared via his official Facebook page on Wednesday.

The President stated that he looks forward to working with Soludo for the peace, security and development of Anambra State and the entire country.

He also enjoined Prof Soludo to rally other stakeholders to tackle the enormous challenges confronting the State and the Southeast in general.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) won the November 6 Anambra governorship election, defeating candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Buhari’s congratulatory message to Soludo reads: “I congratulate Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) — and a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Committee (PEAC) — on his victory in the Anambra State gubernatorial election.

“I commend the security agencies for their determination to ensure that the election went on as smoothly as possible, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the successful conclusion of the exercise, despite the initial challenges encountered.

“I enjoin Prof Soludo to rally other stakeholders to tackle the enormous challenges confronting Anambra State and the Southeast in general.

“I look forward to working with him for the peace, security and development of Anambra State and the entire country”.

“My victory reflects supreme will of God, people’s mandate” – Soludo

Meanwhile, Prof. Soludo has said his victory reflects the supreme will of the Almighty God, as well as an overwhelming sacred mandate of the people.

He stated this on Wednesday at his residence in his country home in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, while making his acceptance speech.

This followed his declaration as the winner of the November 6 election by INEC.

The declaration of Soludo was, however, sequel to his victory after the successful conduct of the supplementary election in Ihiala local government on Tuesday.

The supplementary poll was conducted after the declaration of Saturday’s gubernatorial poll as inconclusive by the Returning Officer, Prof. Florence Obi, the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar.

Obi in the early hours of Wednesday declared Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winner after polling a total of112,229 votes.

He defeated his closest rival, Mr Valentine Ozigbo of the PDP, who scored 53,807 to emerge second.

Sen. Andy Uba of the APC got a total of 43,285 votes to clinch the third position.

While promising to make the people proud, Soludo solicited for guidance, advice and contribution of everyone to succeed.

“My role will be that of your chief servant, and I will work every minute of the day with you to make you profoundly proud.

“Working in collaboration with other states, the Federal Government, and the international community, we have all that it takes to make our state whatever we collectively wish it to be.

“As we transit to a post-oil world and into the 4th industrial revolution, let us work together to create that livable and prosperous homeland.

“That is the industrial, technology and leisure hub of West Africa.

“This is our manifest destiny, and collectively we shall get there!” he said.

Soludo congratulated other candidates who contested in the election and urged them to support him.

“I hereby extend my hand of fellowship to all of you. I need all of you to succeed.

“Politics aside, we are all brothers. Let’s come together for the ‘Project Anambra’,” he urged.

Soludo said that the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), represented a massive improvement over the Card Reader and Manual Accreditation System.

He urged INEC to ensure the continuous refinement of the technology, as well as upscaling of the skills of its operators.

The governor-elect further called for collaboration with telecommunication companies to improve on the nation’s electoral system.

While commending INEC for it efforts, he averred: “The election has been adjudged as the most peaceful, free, fair and credible.”

November 10, 2021