By Christian Aburime

Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, emergence as the Governor-elect of Anambra State may not have come to many Nigerians as a surprise.

There were very clear evidence that if the Anambra State gubernatorial election were conducted 100 times, Soludo will emerge winner 100 times.

This is so because Soludo support base was grandiose and incredibly awesome. It was the people’s movement.

The people of Anambra State put in everything they had: resources, time, energy. They fasted and prayed, leaving no stone unturned for any untoward happenstance.

Indeed, it was so incredibly awesome and frightening that the opposition did everything conceivable to stop Soludo.

All the opposition calculated attempt to stop him failed and failed and failed! From Jigawa to Owerri to Abuja to Kano, Soludo and his party, (APGA), were on the heat. At the end of a very pulsating legal battles it was victory at last for Soludo!

With over 42 self-funding Support Groups and with over a million people in numerical strength as members, it was obvious and certain Soludo was destined for Agu Awka no matter the shenanigans from the opposition.

On fact checks: Soludo was the only gubernatorial candidate that campaigned vigorously in virtually all the 21 local government areas in Anambra State.

He dared the risks. He went directly to the grassroots to sell his manifesto to the ordinary people, while the opposition were busy entertaining Nigerians in the media with the latest defectors to their party.

In Soludo’s image, the people saw one of their own. Charlie Mwa-mgbafor, the village boy from Isuofia! The son of the soil who braved all the odds and rose to be somebody.

He went through the vicissitudes of life determined to succeed. By sheer dint of hardwork and individual brilliance he got to the pinnacle of success

Today, Nigerians and the world celebrate Soludo’s victory in an election adjudged as one of the most freest, fairest, credible in our democratic history as a nation.

Below are some of the calibre of people, very prominent Nigerians who know when to offer a message of support and congratulations when they see a genuine accomplishment

For the records, these prominent Nigerians and more have congratulated Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo as the Governor-elect of Anambra State. Their statements were reproduced inter alia!

1) Senator (Dr.) Chris Ngige: Ministry of Labour and Employment. Also an APC Chieftain in Anambra State.

“I congratulate Soludo for a resounding victory in the polls, It is a victory well deserved. Ndi Anambra have spoken with this resounding victory. It is a case in patience and endurance, an aspiration nurtured to serve the people with all his strength. I have no doubt that our people have made an excellent choice by voting Soludo”

2) President Muhammadu Buhari: President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria

“I congratulate Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – and a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Committee ( PEAC) – on his victory in the Anambra State gubernatorial election. I look forward to working with him for the peace, security and development of Anambra State and the entire country”

3) General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, (IBB): Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

“Let me congratulate Professor Charles Soludo on his victory after such a hard fought political “battle”, travelling round all the 21 Local Governments to solicit for votes. Aside from being such a brilliant mind, his understanding of the intricate logic of the Nigerian federation, having served in various capacities, would help broaden his horizon as he contends with the leadership of governing the good people of Anambra State. Congratulations to you my dear friend, Professor Soludo. The journey has just begun.”

4) General Abdulsalami Abubakar: Former Head of State, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman National Peace Committee (NPC)

“The Nigeria Peace Committee of which I am the chairman congratulates the Governor-elect, Prof Charles Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). We also commend the people of Anambra State for the way they conducted themselves throughout the election. They displayed unprecedented patience, courage, decorum and sacrifice to cast their votes despite narratives of doom and fear.”

5) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar: Former Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and PDP chieftain

“It is rewarding that the citizens of Anambra ultimately took their destiny into their hands during the election. It was peaceful and devoid of political violence. I congratulate Prof Charles Soludo on his election as governor of the state. The greatest winners are Ndi Anambra and the institutions that worked in concert to ensure peace and the overall success of the election.”

6) Mr Ben Murray Bruce: Former Bayelsa State Senator and President of Silverbird Group

“Hearty congratulations to my friend, the incoming governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. Your victory at the just concluded elections is proof that you’re the peoples choice, and even the hitch couldn’t change this. Now it’s time to unite and take Anambra even further.”

7) Mr Valentine Ozigbo, PDP Gubernatorial candidate:

“I have just called Professor Chukwuma Soludo and congratulated him on being declared the winner of the Anambra State governorship election, 2021. I wish him well and prayed for his success.”

8) Engr. David Nweze Umahi. Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, on behalf of the South- East Governors

“On behalf of the South-East Governors, I congratulate Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo on his victory in the just concluded Anambra governorship election. I urge Prof Soludo to please extend healing and loving hands to all the candidates.

9) Mr Peter Obi: Former Governor of Anambra State and PDP Chieftain in Anambra State

” 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”

10) Senator Ifeanyi Ubah: Gubernatorial candidate of YPP

“I have just called the newly elected Governor of our dear State, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo to congratulate him on his victory at the just concluded November 6, 2021 Anambra governorship election. As a Democrat and law abiding citizen, I wholeheartedly accept the outcome of the election and would like to use this medium to congratulate Prof Charles Soludo on his victory. It is imperative to state that I do not intend to challenge the electoral results as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), through any Court or judicial process.”

11) Engr. Chris Emeka Azubogu: Member Representing Nnewi North and South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives

“I have called Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Governor-elect, to congratulate him and pray for his success on the job”

12) Chief Osita Chidoka: Former Minister of Aviation and Former Chairman, FRSC

“The result of the November 6 governorship election represents the voice of the people of the State and a loud mandate to the winner. I therefore congratulate Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo as the winner”

13) Senator Orji Uzor Kalu: Former Governor of Abia State and Senator Federal Republic of Nigeria

“Professor Charles Soludo. Please accept my warm congratulations on your victory and my best wishes for your success as you prepare to take up the responsibilities of serving Anambra state. I send you all the good wishes for the exercise of your new mandate and I pray God’s blessing on you, your government and my in-laws; the great people of Anambra State. With respect and good wishes,”

14) Senator Uche Ekwunife (IYOM): Senator Representing Anambra Central Senatorial District

“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. As responsible citizens and lovers of democracy, we must accept the wishes of our people as expressed on Saturday, November 6th and Tuesday, November 9th governorship polls. On behalf of my family, and the good people of Anambra Central Senatorial District, I once again congratulate our incoming governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo. I look forward to working with him for the peace and development of our dear State”

15) Chief Chidi Anyaegbu (Okeiyi Amichi): Chairman Chisco Group

“I congratulate Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on his declaration as the winner of the November 6 Anambra State governorship election. I enjoin him to run an all-inclusive government and ensure that his policies are people-oriented. This is the surest way to effectively reward the trust the people have reposed in him.”

16) Dr. George Moghalu: MD, National Inland Waterways Authority, (NIWA)

“On behalf of my family and the Moghalu Campaign Organisation and Support Group, I write to congratulate you on your election as governor of our beloved Anambra state. Your victory is a righteous expression. It represents not only a personal victory but a triumph for all those who believe in the promise of a genuinely representative democracy built on the foundations of the rule of law and respect for the popular will. Therefore, as you assume the Office of Governor of Anambra State, I want you to know that in every efforts you make to better the lives of our people, you will have my support and utmost good will. Congratulations to you once more, my brother, and I wish you well on your new assignment.”

17) Chief Ben Etiaba: Gubernatorial candidate of Action Alliance (AA)

“The election has come and gone and only one winner could have emerged out of the many Aspirants and 18 Candidates of various Political Parties. Ndi-Anambra have now spoken in a spectacular way, and a new Governor has been elected with a resounding mandate of the people. I offer my profound message of congratulations to my good friend Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR on a most merited election victory as declared by INEC. We have all emerged winners, for today, Anambra State won, and we remain the ‘Light of the Nation,”

18) UNITED KINGDOM (UK) STATEMENT

“We recognise that independent Nigerian voices have expressed concerns about the conduct of the electoral process, in particular around logistics, accreditation of voters, deployment of polling officials, and low voter turnout. The UK is encouraged by the use and transparency of INEC’s result viewing portal in the electoral process”

19) HRM Eze (Dr) Chukwudi Ihenetu: Eze Ndigbo Ghana

“I congratulate Anambra State Governor-elect, Prof Chukwuma Soludo on his victory in the just concluded election. With the track records of Prof Soludo in the financial sector where he rose to become Central Bank Governor and presently member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Advisory Council, I have no doubt that he will move Anambra State forward.”

20) Mr Rotimi Akeredolu: Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum

“Southern Governors’ Forum Congratulates Anambra State Governor-elect, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo. We look forward to working with Prof. Charles Soludo under the auspices of the Southern Governors’ Forum, for the peace, security, and development of Anambra State, Southern Nigeria, and the country at large. No doubt, we will be happy to explore the experience of the Governor-elect, as it relates to the economy and also helps in our efforts to keep the people of Southern Nigeria safe. Prof Soludo’s experience as a consummate economist will be of great asset to the good people of Anambra, Southern Governors’ Forum, and indeed the entire country.”

21) MASSOB: (Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra)

“Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, congratulates Prof Chukwuma Soludo, the Anambra State Governor-elect for his victory at the just concluded poll. We commend the people and other residents of Anambra State for adhering to our directives that the election will hold without dangers of fear or threat of lives, they defied all threats by coming out to vote. MASSOB wishes to thank all our members in Anambra State who participated in the election. We also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for heeding to our encouragement and directives in conducting the governorship election in Anambra state.”

And more and more congratulatory messages continue to flow in even as at the time of putting together these few compilations!!

Source: StreetReporters.ng