Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, early Wednesday morning described his victory in last Saturday’s Anambra State Governorship Election as a reflection of the people’s will.
Professor Soludo, who spoke in an acceptance speech shortly after he was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) early on Wednesday morning, said:
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 God 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.”
The winner also thanked the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, President Muhammadu Buhari, amongst others, for the victory.
He promised to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Anambra State while extending an olive branch to his contenders in the race.
The Returning Officer of the Anambra Governorship Election, Professor Florence Obi, announced the result on Wednesday morning at the INEC office in Awka, Anambra State.
“That Charles Chukwuma Soludo of APGA, having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar said on Wednesday.
Soludo, who was the apex bank’s 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.
61-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 polled 21,261 votes came fourth.
Soludo is expected to be sworn into office on March 16, 2022, after the expiration of the two-term tenure of Governor Obiano, who is also of APGA.