Soludo’s Victory, Triumph For Igbo Race—Igbo Elders

By CHUKS EKE

Excited by the margin with which Anambra State Governor-elect, Prof. Charles Soludo emerged victorious during the recently concluded Anambra state governorship election in the state, a group of an integral part of Igbo elders, under the aegis of Igbo Indigenous Elders and Stakeholders Leadership Organization has described Soludo’s victory as a victory for the entire Igbo race.

The organization, an affiliation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Council of Elders, otherwise called IGBOELDERSHIP ORGANIZATION and a coalition of Igbo Elders and Stakeholders, the Elder Statesmen, Technocrats, Opinion Leaders and Leaders of Thought in the Igbo Nation, both within and in the diaspora –the critical Thinkers in Academics, Professions, Commerce, Trade, Industry, Agriculture, Mines and Power, Champions of Health and Social Services, contended that Soludo’s victory was a reflection of the will and mandate of the people of Anambra State who defiled all odds to vote for their choice.

A press statement signed by the Chairman of Board of Trustees of the organization, His Lordship Bishop-Elect, Justice Alpha Ikpeama, disclosed that the solidarity message was equally endorsed by the National Leader of the organization, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu CFR, OFR, MFR, AHAEJIAGAMBA NDIGBO who doubles as the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Council of Elders.

The statement read in part: “We wish to most heartily congratulate the Governor-Elect of Anambra State; His Excellency Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR on his resounding victory at the just concluded Guber elections in Anambra State. Soludo is bringing to bear as Governor; his several years of Excellence in public service especially as a reformer who brought about the reforms of the banking sector during his exceptional leadership as Governor of the Apex bank of Nigeria-CBN”.

“Anambra is now on the path of drastic reforms and transformation into an African- Dubai-Taiwan. Indeed we join millions of Ndi Anambra in celebrating this very special act of God in our lifetime. It is indeed a victory for the entire Igbo race. To God be all the glory!”

“The Igbo Indigenous Elders and Stakeholders Leadership Organization also wishes to congratulate the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Security Agencies for organizing and ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in Anambra State. This was in keeping to their promises to us in the count-down to the elections when we paid them separate courtesy visits to ascertain their level of preparation and readiness for the elections in Anambra State”.

“We also wish to commend most of the governorship aspirants for their spirit of sportsmanship most especially-Chief Valentine Ozigbo, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, and Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpo(who stepped down to support Soludo during the supplementary elections in his local government-Ihiala).

We enjoin other candidates to sheathe their sword and tow the same path in the interest of peace and stability of the state. The Igbo Elders will meet any aggrieved aspirant to ensure peace and unity is sustained in Ala-Igbo as we encourage Prof. Soludo to be magnanimous in victory”.

“Furthermore we wish to congratulate Governor Willie Obiano for presenting Soludo to Ndi Anambra who is very much equipped to consolidate on his achievements in Anambra State. We also thank His Excellency for his legacy project- The Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport at Umueri; the first of its kind, which indeed is his parting gift to Ndi Anambra. The Airport promises to create thousands of jobs and increase the revenue generation base of the state”.