Soludo coasts to victory in Anambra APGA governorship primary

…Gov. Obiano excited by Soludo’s victory

A one-time Central Bank Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has emerged the Anambra governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in a keenly contested primary held on Wednesday in Akwa.

Soludo will be the party’s flag bearer in November 6 governorship poll.

Persecondnews reports that the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the primary amid tight security.

ln the poll, Soludo garnered 740 votes out of 792 valid votes cast by delegates to beat his rivals, Rep. Okwudili Ezenwakwo, who scored 41 votes, Damian Okolo, seven votes and Thankgod Ibeh, four votes.

Mr Samson Olalere, the Returning Officer, said Soludo had fulfilled the provisions of Electoral Act and APGA guidelines.

He said a total of 812 delegates were registered out of which 795 accredited and 792 voted.

Olalere issued the APGA candidate Certificate of Return after Gov. Willie Obiano, raised Soludo’s hand as the duly elected candidate of the party for the November election.

In his remarks, Obiano congratulated Soludo for the victory while calling on party faithful to continue to support the party.

An elated Soludo accepted the nomination ticket of APGA in the forthcoming governorship poll.

“I accept your nomination in the November 6 governorship election. I am proud that I came from Anambra. I offer nothing but statement of gratitude, thank you for the mandate to fly our flag. I assure INEC that APGA is a law-abiding party.

“I salute the other aspirants. I salute you. This is the time to unite. We won the primary by over 80 percent, but let us come together. The coming election is consequential for the state. It will determine our match for progression of retrogression,” he said.

Soludo commended previous governors of Anambra for transforming the state, but noted that Governor Willy Obiano had taken the state to the next level.

“We need continuity, consolidation and transformation, we need to build on what is on ground. We will unveil our campaign manifesto in August. I am a poor boy whom God has raised to serve. I have been decorated with over 200 awards.

“I believe it is now time for me to serve my people. I have decided to give back to the people.”