Chinedum Treasure
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state has expressed gratitude over the overwhelming support his administration had enjoyed from the citizenry across the state.
He said never in the history of the state had a governor enjoyed such massive support.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters under the umbrella of All Soludo Support Groups during a solidarity rally of supporters at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Awka, Soludo said he was humbled by the support.
He dismissed as unserious governorship aspirants of other political parties in the November 8 guber poll, saying they were all working for the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
He said, “The feedback I’m getting across the 21 local government areas of the state is that when the people get good service, it translates into political capital. You aren’t seen nothing yet.
“I was told that the hypothesis we’re still testing is working so well that prospective candidates who had intention of contesting election in other parties have decided to pull out of the race.
“I also learnt the serious ones have decided to respect themselves because they have discovered there’s no vacancy.
“Most of the parties don’t have candidates, except one party I understand the aspirants are just contesting, to be noticed for appointment.
“But I encourage them there’s no need for that as N50million is such a huge amount just to pay to be noticed. Instead, we will join in lobbying for them to be given appointment.
“As per the parties, PDP has folded into APGA. The same with YPP. Is it Labour Party, it didn’t exist. It was our members, during those frenzy moments that formed the party. But now, all of them are back.
“As for APC, nobody is contesting because Progressives are working together. APC is All Progressives Congress and APGA is All Progressives Grand Alliance. Anyone contesting there is for show. They are all working for us.
“For the first time in Anambra history, there’s going to be governorship election of consensus. Even the year we had 21/21, we didn’t have this kind of consensus – be it civil societies, christiandom, traditional institution, community governance, women, youths.
“That we must continue with this revolution going on in all parts of the state simultaneously.
Appreciating the organisers of the various groups for their sacrifices, the governor promised he would not betray the confidence reposed in him.
He added, “If I look at the crowd, memories keep coming back to when we started. The light of the nation, Anambra state is on the rise.
“I’m overwhelmed with emotions. I’m very humbled by this gesture. Since Saturday, it’s been pouring in, from representatives of students from all higher institutions in the state to women groups, town unions and leaders of communities, party would leaders, youths groups with the same message.
“Today, all the support groups, over 60 of them with over 120000 members are here with the same message, urging us to run again. I’m very humbled.
“What’s striking about this is that all these groups are on their own. Nobody has approached me for sponsorship. Instead, some of them have paid for my nomination forms.
“When I hear women who are petty traders contributing N50, N100, N200 to ask Soludo to run again, and students coming to give me a check, with each contributing N200, N500, it brings tears to my ears.
“They said I should continue to focus on delivering the dividend of democracy, while they deployed their resources to campaign for me across the state. This sacrifices is touching and mind-blowing. All I can assure you is that we will not disappoint you.”
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