Anambra Governor-elect Professor Charles Soludo and his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim will be presented with Certificates of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday.
Prof Soludo, a former governor of the nation’s Central Bank(CBN) won the keenly contested poll with a very wide margin to beat his closest rival, Chief Valentine Ozigbo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)with 112, 229 votes to 53, 807 votes. Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came third with 43, 285 votes.
The victorious Soludo contested on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which was the same as the outgoing incumbent, Gov Willie Obiano.
Information from the public relations department of the INEC in Awka revealed that the Certificate of Returns would be presented to Prof Soludo on Friday, Nov 12, 2021.
That anticipated brief and colorful ceremony would climax the run up activities related to the painstaking search for a replacement for the outgoing governor Obiano who would be concluding his constitutionally allowed two terms of eight years on March 17,2022.
Series of messages of warm felicitations have continued to pour in from top citizens across party lines, wishing him well and a fruitful era in office. They included, an APC chieftain and boss of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu, who noted that his vision to lead the state out of the woods towards better Anambra society founded on unity, love and industry and to lead a determined halt to the ever steady progressive decay in neglected infrastructures, education, health, General environmental degradation, widening poverty, youth restiveness, lawlessness/brigandage frightening high insecurity occasioned by a directionless State leadership that lacked cohesion was sadly truncated by some political merchants.
“However”, he noted, “as fate has entrusted you with the onerous task/mandate, I and my political family will continue to pray for your success as that will gladden our hearts and benefit all citizens.
“May the Almighty God help and strengthen you as you as you face the challenges ahead. It’s much, but we count on your ability and drive”
Others include some of his opponents in the Nov 6 election, Ozigbo of the PDP, Ben Etiaba of the Action Alliance, and a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia, Chief Dozie Nwankwo who prayed for more wisdom, enablement for the incoming governor.
He said that he has no doubt that in the spirit of APGA that he would do very well.