Anambra State governor-elect, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has extended a hand of fellowship to those who contested the election with him, saying they were all winners.
READ ALSO: Senate Passes Electoral Act Amendment Bill, Approves Electronic Transmission
In an interview he granted at his country home in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, after being declared winner of the election, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN, reminded other governorship candidates that there is enough room for all to contribute to the development of the state.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, governor-elect, spoke as torrents of congratulatory messages rained on him on his victory, yesterday, from all quarters.
One of those who congratulated Soludo was President Muhammadu Buhari who said he is looking forward to working with the former CBN governor to confront challenges in Anambra and the South-East. Others include immediate former governor of Anambra State and 2019 vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Peter Obi; the PDP Anambra 2021 governorship candidate, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo; Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Chris Ngige; and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, among others.
READ ALSO: Aviation Fuel Price Rises By 70%, International Airlines May Raise Fares
Soludo said: “To my fellow candidates in the election, I wish to congratulate you for the gallant contest. Our people have spoken overwhelmingly, and surely that loud voice is the voice of God. “The ultimate winner is Anambra people; we are all winners.
‘’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.’ There is enough room for everyone to contribute in the service of our homeland.”
He recalled that on February 7, 2010, when he lost the governorship election, he congratulated the winner two hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared the winner who, he said, had described the election as a sham and refused to vote in protest.
He added: “I addressed a press conference and congratulated him, and walked away without a legal challenge. I was probably the first candidate of a major political party to do that in Nigeria. In Anambra, we fight hard during elections, but meet the next weekend at traditional weddings and funerals and throw banters and share drinks.
“That’s the Anambra way! Let’s keep the spirit of Anambra alive and strong, and with it, collectively take our homeland to the moon. So far and even before the official declaration, I have received congratulatory messages from thousands of Ndi Anambra and Nigerians from around the world, including some of my fellow candidates. I deeply treasure the massive goodwill.
READ ALSO: NIS Explains Delay In International Passport Processing
“To the estimated 17 million Ndi Anambra within and outside our state, this is your moment, seize it! This victory is your victory. 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.
“I will need the guidance, advice and contribution of everyone to succeed. Our state is one of infinite possibilities and humongous opportunities. Working in collaboration with other states, the federal government, and the international community, we have all it takes to make our state whatever we collectively wish it can be.
“As we transit to a post-oil world and into the 4th industrial revolution, let us work together to build upon the foundations of our founding fathers and predecessors to create that liveable 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.”
The governor-elect observed that the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, represented a massive improvement over the card reader and manual accreditation system in elections, adding that with a continuous refinement of the technology, up-scaling of the skills of its operators, collaboration with telecommunication companies, improvement in logistical deployment and security, and stringent punishment for anyone involved in electoral malpractice, Nigeria will be on course to a robust and exemplary electoral system.
Paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the course of the electioneering process, including the three policemen who were killed by unknown gunmen during a town hall meeting with youths in his ward, Soludo said further: “Aside from the initial glitches in the operations of the BVAS machines in some places, including my polling unit, the election has been adjudged as the most peaceful, free, fair and credible. There is joy in the land. Kudos to INEC!
READ ALSO: Former Kwara Commissioner, Jide Adebayo Is Dead
“The run up to this election and the election itself tested the resilience and integrity of our federal institutions. Many times, there were tensions, especially as one party boasted that it must “take” or “conquer” Anambra by all means.
‘Our institutions proved again and again that this country can achieve eminent greatness when our institutions rise up to the occasion.
“The judiciary, led by the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, stood for the integrity of the judiciary. We salute the eminent justices of the Anambra High court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court for standing up for justice. Your names will be written in gold.
“We thank President Buhari, the presidency, and our security agencies for ensuring a level playing field. We must particularly commend the Chairman, Management and staff of INEC for systematically striving to bequeath a legacy of free, fair and transparent electoral system to Nigeria.”
Source: Vanguard
©ControlTV2021.
