The emergence of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as the Governor-elect of Anambra State is a pointer to the expectations of millions of electorate in the Southeast and the rest of Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Abia League of Professional Initiative (ALPI) has said in its congratulatory message to Soludo.
The New Diplomat had earlier reported that Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), recorded a landslide victory in the just concluded Anambra gubernatorial election. The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), polled a total of 112,229 votes, accounting for a 46.5 percent of total valid votes cast to defeat his 17 other rivals.
Reacting to the victory, ALPI, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) initiative hailed Soludo’s triumph at the poll, noting it portends a great future for the political landscape in the Southeast and Nigeria at large. The group said the outcome of the Anambra governorship election has shown that Nigerians are ready to elect an individual “who has been tried and tested by the vagaries of the National and International economics and markets.”
This was contained in a statement signed and made available to The New Diplomat by the Convener/National Coordinator, ALPI and banking chief, Mr Sonny Iroche.
The group urged the Anambra Governor-elect to reciprocate the overwhelming support and love he got from electorate in the face of sundry challenges experienced by voters during the poll by using his wealth of experience in public service to improve the lot of the people, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The statement by ALPI reads, “The Abia League of Professional Initiative (ALPI), a Non-Governmental Organization of Professionals of Abia State origin, that are committed to the enthronement of good governance, hereby heartily congratulate you on your well deserved victory at the recent gubernatorial elections held in Anambra State.
“Your victory at the polls, could not have come at a much better time than now, when there is pervasive dearth of leadership in the Southeast geopolitical zone of the country- yearning to be filled, by men and women of utmost integrity and vision.
“Essentially, your election as the Governor of Anambra State, at this critical period in the history of Nigeria in general and Ndi Igbo in particular, is a very significant land mark, in the Southeast, and indeed, the entire country in many ramifications:
“First, it symbolizes the emergence in the political firmament of Nigeria, of a thorough bred and well educated professional, who has been tried and tested by the vagaries of the National and International economics and markets.
“Secondly, as significant as the above, is the clear message that your victory sends to the other Southeast states, whose gubernatorial elections come up in 2023, God willing, to take a cue from Anambra State, by electing Governors, who stand for probity and integrity and who can hold the light for the people to follow to socio-economic prosperity. It is about time that we start to choose credible leaders, with utmost professionalism and selfless services to their Employers-The People.
“Thirdly, Ndi Anambra, by this singular and collective actions, to shun and reject financial inducements, offered them to vote for other candidates, even in the face of the adverse economic situation in the country, to say the least, is highly commendable and reassuring that there is still hope, for a better country. This sends a very clear signal to the Southeast and the entire Nigerian polity, that the era of vote buying and manipulation are fast coming to an end.
“Fourthly, now that Ndi Anambra have demonstrated their love, trust and believe in you, by their overwhelming support, now is your turn for reciprocal love and service to improve their lot, as a people, irrespective of their political party affiliations. The entire state, not just your political party, APGA, is now your constituency. Remember, all those women, men, youths, and the disabled who, despite the challenges of that voting weekend waited patiently at the polling booths just to cast their votes.
“As you superintend over the affairs of Ndi Anambra, as their Governor, we kindly urge you to be guided always by the Moto of your Alma Mater, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka- “To Restore The Dignity of Man”.
“Finally, Mr Governor-Elect, a good leader, must always show magnanimity in victory and gracious in defeat. We advise that now that campaigns are over, and election won, that you should consider reaching out to your other co-contestants to join hands where possible and where they could add value to build an all-inclusive government.
“Significantly, we also wish to commend and applaud the Police and all the other security agencies that ensured a safe environment for people to cast their votes. And also, the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), members of the National Youth Service Corps and other volunteers, your patriotic zeal and zest are acknowledged and appreciated,” the statement concluded.
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