By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on Wednesday emerged the governorship flag bearer for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 6, 2021 governorship election in Anambra State.

Soludo defeated three other aspirants that took part in the party’s primary election with 740 votes out of the 792 votes cast to record a landslide victory in the 21 local government areas of the state.

His challengers trailed behind with 41 votes for Hon Okwudili Ezenwankwo, ThankGod Ibe, 10 votes and Damian Okolo, 7 votes.

The exercise was conducted by the Chief Victor Oye-led executive despite reports of Soludo being suspended by the Jude Okeke-led faction of the party.

Announcing the result at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, the Chief Returning Officer, Mr Olalere, who is the Vice Chairman Southwest of the party, said: “By the power conferred on me as the Chief Returning Officer of the election, I hereby declare Prof Chukwuma Soludo the duly elected candidate of APGA for the November 6 governorship election.”

Speaking at the event, the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, assured the candidate and members of the party that the party would win the governorship election overwhelmingly come November 6, as it did in 2017.

He said: “I want to commend the National Working Committee and the State Working Committee for the peaceful conduct. It is exceptional. Just know that the job has just started and we are going to win 21 over 21 local government areas again as we did in 2017.”

In his acceptance speech, Soludo thanked the members of the party, promising to unveil his manifesto in August.

He hailed the governor for the good work he has done in the especially the new Anambra International Cargo Airport.

Soludo added: “APGA is serving better and people don’t want to go back to Egypt.

Anambra is not broken; it’s getting better but we need to consolidate. We need to maximize what we have to make it work.

“I’m a poor boy whom God has lifted and gifted to serve. To the glory of God, I reached the peak of my professional career in my 30’s; had the privilege of living in Ethiopia, U.K, USA, and travelled to 45 other countries as itinerant scholar and consultant to 20 international development and financial institutions before I was called to serve the FGN in 2003. Until 2009, I served as Chief Economic Adviser to President Obasanjo; CEO of National Planning Commission; Governor of Central Bank; Chairman of Nigerian Mint; founding Chairman of AFC; and chair or member of over 25 committees.

“The road to Anambra becoming a middle to upper income, livable and prosperous homeland will remain a work-in-progress for a while.

“The government over the next four years will have to lay the foundation for the Anambra Vision 2070. Ours is a land of infinite possibilities and opportunities. We need continuity, consolidation, and transformation to build on the existing foundation and maximize our potentials.

“We need to unite and mobilize the creative energies and capital of our people all over the world as well as other investors to live out the essence of our motto: “Light of the Nation”. We shall unveil our manifesto at the launch of the campaign in August.”

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