ANAMBRA STATE APGA IS WORKING AGAINST SOLUDO
I do not understand the media rampage on the Anambra State House of Assembly (H.O.A) election. I have never taken any interest in who goes there. The common people in Anambra State only see and hear from the Governor. And that’s why Anambra has been so consistent in choosing who we believe is best for the job. And that’s why we chose Prof C. C Soludo.
THE MAN, PROFESSOR CHUKWUMA CHARLES SOLUDO
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo is an authority. His influence didn’t start yesterday. His words make headlines, and when he speaks, the country shakes. Years before he became the Governor, he wrote, in candor, a letter titled:
‘Buhari vs Jonathan: Beyond The Election’.
This letter sparked a huge debate in Nigeria’s political sphere. Both the incumbent and the opposition analyzed the epistle for months. It even forced Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to pick up her pen and writing sheet. This epistle – which captured the controversial ‘Missing N30 Trillion’ – became a political thesis that contributed to the outcome of the 2015 election.
When Soludo writes, he transcends politics. His points of view are always unbiased – not minding whose pride is bruised. This quality has not fetched him many affections – but a man needs to be true to himself. And this man, Soludo, doesn’t go around begging people to love him.
WHY ANAMBRA PEOPLE VOTED SOLUDO
Anambra people did not vote for him out of pity. We did not vote for him because he belonged to APGA political party. No. Before the election, Soludo campaigned in every local government. He went to several markets in Anambra State dishing out how he would change our fate. He reached out to every stakeholder in the state. And in the heat of his campaign, armed men attacked him, and killed people in his political train. This didn’t deter the Professor. He continued convincing people he was better than other contestants. Val Ozigbo was on the ballot – so was Andy Uba. Anyone would have won the election, but Prof was preferred.
But because Anambra State gubernatorial elections come a year before the H.O.A election, every new governor inherits his predecessor’s H.O.A. Professor Soludo inherited an existing H.O.A. And this would have been the fate of Val Ozigbo or Andy Uba.
HOW ANAMBRA STATE APGA IS WORKING AGAINST SOLUDO
Correct me if I am wrong, but Professor Soludo, during his campaign, did not tell the people to vote for him because the majority in the House Of Assembly were from APGA. And during the debate, he did not tell us not to vote for Val Ozigbo or Andy Uba because both would find it difficult working with an APGA House of Assembly. That wouldn’t have made any sense to us.
I know the pressure that comes when a group is losing grip, but APGA should be careful of the foundation they are laying. It is very dangerous to plant such sentiment in the mind of people. And if APGA continues with this emotional campaign, it will affect Prof Soludo’s re-election.
Yes, if the opposition wins, Anambra people will simply vote for the gubernatorial candidate of the opposition party believing that Soludo can only work with people from his political party. For this is the message and to uproot an opinion is harder than planting it.
