Ekweremadu, Odua hail Soludo, say Anambra has raised bar of leadership

By Musa Baba Adamu

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has joined other Nigerians in congratulating the winner of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, saying he possesses the experience and pedigree to lead the State and contributing to development of the South East and Nigeria.

Also, the senator representing Anambra North, Stella Odua, has said that it is very clear that the people of Anambra State have spoken out in very clear terms whom they prefer to lead them for the next four years.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu also congratulated the people of Anambra and critical stakeholders for the peaceful election, saying that by electing Soludo, the people of Anambra State had raised the bar of leadership recruitment in the South East, which he said is very important if Ndigbo must build the South East of their dreams.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, @iamekweremadu, the lawmaker said: “Hearty congratulations to the governor-elect of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, on his well earned victory.

“I commend him for his humility and magnanimity in victory manifest in his hand of fellowship to all, especially other candidates. No doubt, he has the experience and pedigree to provide leadership to Ndi Anambra as well as contribute immensely to the development of the South East and the nation.

“Congratulations also to the people of Anambra State. They have spoken and they spoke in a credible, free, fair, peaceful, and transparent manner.

“I commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, media, Civil Society Organisations, Ndi Anambra, and the political leaders of the state, especially the candidates, some of who have already congratulated Soludo.

“In all, the peaceful conduct of the election against all odds, is a major victory, not only for Ndi Anambra, but also for Ndigbo and the nation’s democracy. Importantly, Ndi Anambra have raised the bar of leadership recruitment in Igbo land. It is a step in the right direction, for charity must begin at home if we must build the South East and Nigeria of our dreams”.

In a related development, the Anambra North senator, Stella Odua, who defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in the run up to the contentious election, said on her social media handle also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for providing level playing field for the candidates during the election.

“Earlier today, I reached out to congratulate my brother, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the APGA candidate and declared winner of the just concluded Anambra State gubernatorial election

“I commend Ndi Anambra for the exemplary nature with which they conducted themselves in spite of the heightened tension in the months and weeks leading up to this pivotal election for indeed, they demonstrated in a most peaceful and orderly manner, how elections ought to be done.