Izuchukwu OkosiAfter three attempts to govern Anambra State, Nigeria’s Southeast commercial hub, Professor of Economics and former central bank governor, Chukwuma Soludo Tuesday emerged governor-elect in a protracted four-day electoral process that culminated in a supplementary election.
This, however, will be the first time an academic Professor will be elected governor in a state that boasts of high-flying intellectuals and academics, renowned political leaders, successful entrepreneurs and booming commercial centres.
Home to some of Nigeria’s founding fathers like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dim Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, as well as intellectuals like Prof Chinua Achebe, among others, the state has over the years experienced tough processes in electing its leaders, with its eggheads often staying off the political tuff or paying just passive attention.
But the 2021 election process, which ended on Tuesday, witnessed a turn as Prof. Soludo, this time, pitched tents with a ‘grassroots’ political party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), whose only state was Anambra State. Soludo’s two failed attempts at taking over the reins of power at the “Agu Awka” seat of government had been with Nigeria’s national main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the APGA candidate in the 2021 governorship Anambra Governorship election as governor-elect to succeed Willie Obiano, also of the APGA.
Sunday’s results from 20 of the 21 local governments areas had seen APGA leading other political parties with more than 50,000 vote margin, having polled over 100,000 votes to beat his nearest rival Valentine Ozigbo of the PDP who polled some 49,000 votes, winning one local government.
APGA’s Soludo had won in 18 of the 20 LGAs leaving one LGA apiece to PDP and Ifeanyi Ubah of the YPP, who won his Nnewi North Local Government Area.
Anambra State, the economic hub of Nigeria’s southeast region will, therefore, be having a distinctive leader with sound background in the financial sector management, a professor of Economics whose mission will ostensibly be to transform the state into a better version of itself.
The state will have, for the first time, a professor as its 21st governor since the creation of the old Anambra State in February 1976.
Soludo endeared himself into the hearts of Ndi Anambra and indeed Nigerians when he was the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) between May 29, 2004 and May 29, 2009, with his visionary ideas that aided the Nigerian economy.
Prior to his appointment to the CBN, Soludo was the Chief Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo – a man who found eminent sons and daughters of Anambra worthy to serve in his government.
Soludo was also the chief executive of the National Planning Commission of Nigeria. He is a consultant for international organisations like the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme for Africa.
Soludo’s successes in the world of business and financial institutions never seemed to have translated to great political career, as he struggled with the people’s perception of him as being a better banking guru than a potentially outstanding leader in the corridors of power.
READ ALSO: Professor Soludo: The Governor-elect’s Long Trek To ‘Agu Awka’
The former CBN boss was a former member of the PDP but defected to APGA. He did not make the cut in the primaries ahead of the 2013 gubernatorial election and was disqualified with five other candidates by the party’s screening committee.
This was after losing to Peter Obi who was APGA candidate in 2009.
Many were the ‘obstacles’ facing Soludo then. But the lives of politicians and politics itself can be likened to the rolling stone.
After supporting the candidacy of the incumbent Doctor Willie Obiano, Soludo has this time found himself hoping to be third time lucky. It has, indeed, become a redemption time for him?
Born 28 July 1960, the Anambra governor-elect will have a lot of convincing to do as he desperately tries to prove that his new task is not purely based in his background in the financial world.
Soludo literally means ‘Follow the path of Peace’ in the Igbo language. This is so apt as his words during the unveiling of his gubernatorial manifesto at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, portrayed him as being cocky about his place in Nigerian politics.
It is expected that the governor-elect will first mend fences with his political opponents.
“I told Anambra people that, on the day of the flag-off, we will unveil and launch the Anambra manifesto. This manifesto is one that envisions Anambra as a five-star destination to live, work and relax in.
“We want Anambra to be liveable. My manifesto with the ‘Ndi Anambra’ is my contract with them.”
At face value, the above submission is not supposed to ruffle feathers, but he chose to proclaim that his competitors want to be in power and should they go central government, they will meet him there because he (Soludo) is already part of the central government.
These are words that he needs to subtly modify and begin his stint as Anambra’s first citizen on a memorable note.
But what exactly does Soludo need to do to get Anambra on the path of greatness and reinforce its position as a hub for trade, commerce, industry and entrepreneurship?
Tackling the security issues in the state and mediating in the agitations by youths, especially that of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) could be the masterstroke that would unlock more possibilities and potentials.
Anambra people are innovative, industrious and educated, a lot more can come from the state in areas of Technology, Tourism, Arts, Sports Development and Transport.
An economist like Soludo could be the final puzzle for transforming and uplifting Anambra to become a haven of wealth and development in line with the aspirations of Ndi Anambra.
Below were the final results:
Anambra State Governorship Election Final Result
(After Ihiala)
APGA 107,421 votes
PDP. 53,102 votes
APC. 43,327 votes
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