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• Soludo hails Buhari, tells Anambrarians he will be a servant-leader
• Ubah: I submit to God’s will, won’t challenge results in court
• Anambra made excellent choice on Soludo, says Ngige
President RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has tasked Governor-elect of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Committee, to rally other stakeholders to tackle the enormous challenges confronting the state and the Southeast region in general.
This was contained in his congratulatory message to Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) after emerging winner of the gubernatorial election.
The President, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, yesterday, said he looks forward to working with the incoming governor for the peace, security and development of not only Anambra, but the entire country.
He further called on the 17 million people of the state, including his rivals, to team up with him in the Project Anambra, promising to deliver as a servant-leader. He pointed out that the outcome of the election was a reflection of the supreme will of God, and an overwhelming sacred mandate of the people.
THE first runner-up in the election and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Valentine Ozigbo, has congratulated the governor-elect. He also congratulated all other contestants in the race for showing a determination to see that Anambra is better, adding that it was an honour to run the race with them.
The candidate of Young Progressive Party (YPP), Ifeanyi Ubah, said he has no intention to challenge the results of the poll in court. Ubah, who currently represents Anambra South Senatorial District in the Senate, said he has phoned Soludo to congratulate him.
In a statement yesterday, he said: “To everything there is a season, so the Holy Bible says. It is with a heart full of gratitude and submission to the will of God that I address you all having enjoyed the unique privilege of earning your support to seek the governorship office.”
Ubah, however, said that though the outcome was not desirable, he won’t be going to court to challenge the results declared by INEC. “As a democrat and law-abiding citizen, I wholeheartedly accept the outcome of the election.”
Also extending his congratulations to Soludo was Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. Fayemi, who is the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said democracy was the real winner at the Anambra poll with the successful and peaceful conduct of the process.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, the governor said the will of the people of Anambra, which was expressed through the ballot box, has prevailed.
The statement reads: “Ndi Anambra have spoken with this resounding victory. Having contested in 2010 with Soludo, who was then the PDP candidate and myself in ACN; an election in which I was ‘awarded’ the second position even though I won outright and Soludo third, I knew that with his tenacity of purpose and drive, he would one day make it to the seat of the Governor of Anambra.
“It is a case in patience and endurance, an aspiration nurtured to serve the people with all his strength, I seriously believe. Ndi Anambra I know, will hence, entertain no excuses. Much has been given hence the expectation is very high. Knowing Soludo as I do however, I have no doubt that our people have made an excellent choice by voting him.”
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has described the governor-elect as a man with a track record of accomplishments, urging him to use his magnanimity and statesmanship in the administration of the state.
In a message of congratulation signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze Ndigbo described his victory at the poll as “well deserved”, stressing that it was happy with the exceptional degree of maturity and wisdom demonstrated by Anambra people during the election inspite of obvious challenges.
