THE President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has congratulated Prof. Charles Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance who emerged the winner of the governorship election in Anambra State.
Buhari’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled ‘President Buhari congratulates Gov. elect Charles Soludo; urges support to confront challenges ahead.’
In his message, the President charged Soludo and members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, to rally other stakeholders to tackle the enormous challenges confronting the state and the South-East in general.
He praised the security agencies for their determination to ensure that the election went on as smoothly as possible, and the Independent National Electoral Commission for the successful conclusion of the exercise despite the initial challenges encountered.
Buhari added that he looked forward to working with the incoming governor for the peace, security and development of not only Anambra State, but the entire country.
In a related development, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, also congratulated Soludo.
In a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, Ortom, described Soludo’s victory as a true reflection of the wishes of people of Anambra and “not the machinations of some individuals or groups outside the state.”
He quoted Ortom as saying, “While I commend Ndi Anambra for conquering their fears and fully participating in the electoral process, I equally commend the Independent National Electoral Commission for their innovations and introduction of the BVAS technology which no doubt helped in strengthening the credibility of the electoral process.”
PDP candidate blames INEC, police, corruption for election loss
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Valentine Ozigbo has equally congratulated Soludo on his victory in the governorship elections.
In a statement made available to journalists in Awka on Wednesday, Ozigbo who came second in the poll, said he had called Soludo to congratulate him on his success.
The PDP candidate, however, blamed the police, the INEC and general corruption as factors that tainted the election.
Also, the senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Dr Uche Ekwunife, has commended the President and the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, for creating the enabling environment for a peaceful governorship poll in the state.
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In her congratulatory message to Soludo, Ekwunife said, “I wish to congratulate the winner of the Anambra state governorship election as declared by INEC, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and join millions of Anambrarians to give glory to God for granting us a peaceful election.”
A former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi and the Alaigbo Development Foundation equally congratulated the governor-elect, Charles Soludo for his victory in the poll.
In separate statements issued on Wednesday, Obi and ADF urged the people of Anambra State to support the incoming governor through prayers and other legitimate means for him to succeed.
In a statement signed by his special assistant on Media, Valentine Obienyem, Obi said “I Congratulate Prof. Chukwuma Soludo on winning the gubernatorial election.
“I thank Anambrarians who braved all odds and came out to perform their civic duties. I urge them to support the in-coming Governor through prayers and other legitimate means to see that Anambra returns to her former glory as the “Light of the Nation.”
“Most importantly, I shall continue to commit the state into God’s hands for His will to be done at all times.”
In a statement signed by its Head, Media and Publicity, Abia Onyike, the ADF described Soludo as a highly gifted scholar-politician, seasoned technocrat and mass leader of no mean repute.
Onyike said, “The President of ADF, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala is particularly proud of you and recalls with nostalgia your consistent leadership trajectory which manifested early during your undergraduate days at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where you identified with progressive leadership cadres in the 1980s such as the Movement for Social Equality and the Uhuru Research Centre.”