Ex governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has described his victory in the 2021 Anambra Governorship Election as a reflection of the people’s will.
He spoke during an acceptance speech in his hometown, Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area shortly after he was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday morning.
The Returning Officer of the Anambra Governorship Election and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi, announced the result on Wednesday morning at the INEC office in Awka, Anambra State.
She announced Soludo, who polled 112,229 votes, as the Governor-elect at exactly 1:51 am.
“That Charles Chukwuma Soludo of APGA, having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” she said on Wednesday.
Soludo, who was the apex bank governor between 2004 and 2009, was declared winner after a supplementary election was held in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday. He won 19 of the 21 local governments areas including Ihiala LGA.
Sixty one-year-old Soludo won with 112,229 votes beating Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 53,807 votes, and Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress who got 43,285 votes. Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressive Party who polled 21,261 votes came fourth.
During his acceptance speech, Soludo said, “Let me say with utmost humility and gratitude to God, I accept the results of the 2021 Anambra Governorship Election as declared by INEC. And this reflects the supreme will of the Almighty and an overwhelming sacred mandate of the people…This is a divine journey whose time has come.”
“The election itself tested the integrity of our federal institutions. Many times there were tensions, especially as one party boasted that it must take or ‘conquer’ but the judiciary stood for the integrity of the judiciary,” he added.
The winner also thanked the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano; and President Muhammadu Buhari among a list of persons.
He said “When we received the massive clamour by the people of Anambra to serve them, we persevered till this divine moment.”
Consoling the zealous electorate, he said: “Never mind that all of you could not vote, the limited number that voted represents the wish of the people.
“We are humbled by the massive support of stakeholders in Nigeria, across the entire country.”
He acknowledged his family for their unflinching support while promising to work hard every day never to disappoint.
Soludo also honoured the memory of those who died in the runoff to the election.
He said: “At this moment, we must remember all those who died in the course of this movement, especially the three policemen who were killed by unknown gunmen during our town hall meeting.
“May the Lord continue to grant their souls eternal rest.”
He called for support for Obiano to “finish very strong”.
He promised to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state while extending an olive branch to his contenders in the race.
Soludo is expected to be sworn into office next March after the expiration of the two-term tenure of Obiano, who is also of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
