Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has said that the massive support given to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) which gave victory to its governorship candidate, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, was a form of parting gift to him.
He said so in a broadcast he made yesterday in Aguleri, his native town.
The governor recalled with pride, sacrifice of a women from Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area, who allegedly rejected N5,000 bribe from one of the political parties to vote against the APGA candidate.
Soludo said: “Umu nnem, the outcome of this gubernatorial election presents hope and a new beginning for our dear state. For the second time in the last four years, Ndi Anambra boldly chose to stand on the side of positive history.
“Fellow citizens, this sweet victory belong to you. It belongs to that courageous woman in Ebenebe, who turned down the N5,000 bribe for her vote because she knew that though money could buy her temporary relief, but Anambra would be a better place, if she voted according to her conscience.”
Thanking the party’s chieftains, he also said: “My gratitude also goes to the Nigerian Police, the Army, the Navy and all the security agencies for providing a watertight security to ensure a peaceful election.”
Soludo said yesterday that his victory is “a by-product” of 12 years of relentless political struggle.
He stated this in an acceptance speech after his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the poll.
“For 12 years since the massive clamour by the people of Anambra for us to serve them, we persevered to this divine moment.
“This is a divine journey, whose time has come. To God be all the glory and adoration,” the former Central Bank (CBN) governor stated.
He added: “God was behind my victory. With utmost humility and gratitude to God, I accept the results of the 2021 Anambra governorship election as declared by INEC.”
Despite the declaration of Soludo as the winner of the election, there’s no celebration of any sort in the state yet.
The reason, according to APGA chieftains, was because of the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Speaking with our correspondent yesterday, the Chairman of Soludo’s 24 Support Groups, Sir Jude Emecheta, said security situation in the state would not allow such celebration at this period.
Chief Obi Ochije, the Special Assistant to Obiano on Awka Community, however agreed that the reason was the sit-at-home directive from IPOB.
