"My victory reflects God's supreme will, sacred mandate of people" -Soludo
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor-elect of Anambra State, says 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 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 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 53,807, to emerge second. Sen. Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (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. He said his role would be that of chief servant, and he would work every minute of the day to make them profoundly proud. Working in collaboration with other states, the Federal Government, and the international community, they have all that it takes to make the state whatever they collectively wish it to be.
He said as they transit to a post-oil world and into the 4th industrial revolution, let us work together to create that liveable and prosperous homeland. That is the industrial, technology and leisure hub of West Africa. He expressed that was their manifest destiny, and collectively they shall get there. Soludo congratulated other candidates who contested in the election and urged them to support him. He extended his hand of fellowship to them and said he need all of you to succeed.
He urged we are all brothers, let's come together for the 'Project Anambra', politics aside! 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 that the election has been adjudged as the most peaceful, free, fair and credible.
