Lovers of good things have been celebrating the victory of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and its candidate, Professor Chukwuma Soludo in the 2021 Anambra governorship election as announced by INEC. The party congratulates everybody who worked to make this history, especially President Muhammadu Buhari; the security agencies and INEC that created the level-playing field, which culminated in the landslide victory.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance felicitates with Professor Soludo as well as the wonder working Governor Willie Obiano, the alert governor, for creating the enabling environment for the victory. In fact, the Governor-elect, Professor Soludo, put it succinctly in his acceptance speech. He said that the historic victory belongs to Almighty God who has shown that indeed power truly belongs to God!

Kudos must however go to the members and leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, especially the National Chairman, Chief Victor Ike-Oye, the former National Chairman, Senator Victor Umeh, a dogged fighter and a resilient political giant, other BOT members and executive as well as all lovers of good things across the world who sacrificed their comfort and their time to work for the success.

In fact, the victory belongs to the women, inspired by Dr Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano and Queen Frances Nonye Soludo, the campaign team, led by Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, religious and traditional rulers, youths, students, the media and indeed all Ndi Anambra and residents, especially the wheel barrow pushers, the Okada/Keke/bus riders, the market men and women who have clearly seen in the recent political experience, a glimmer of light in the horizon. It belongs to the farmers who have now realized that Agriculture is the future of Nigeria.

APGA victory belongs to the teachers and civil servants who have seen that a motivated workforce is the greatest asset of any government and have rewarded the party with an overwhelming verdict at the polls. It belongs to the illustrious sons and daughters of Anambra who have seen the star of this great state rise in the Eastern Skies and have answered the call.

However, like Professor rightly said, this victory is not be a winner takes it all. For in the New Anambra; everyone is a winner. Therefore, other contestants are also great. They are urged to join hands with Soludo and build a better place for Ndi Anambra.

No doubt, they all fought a good fight for a better Anambra. The interest of the State is bigger than the private ambitions of anyone. Our beloved state needs their talents and time. Every one of them had a dream for the state that propelled him to contest. However, one person must be governor at a time.

This election is a referendum on the solid resolve of Ndi Anambra to rise above average in all they do. Ndi Anambra have demonstrated that they are capable of taking charge of their lives and making difficult decisions that will brighten the future of their children.

Remarkably, this mandate is dear to Professor Soludo’s heart. He should therefore see it as a historic call to inspire his people to greatness. Graciously, the governor-elect has promised never to give himself rest until our beloved state has fully assumed the status of the model state.

It must be noted that this victory did not come by chance. It is the final product of the combined efforts of brilliant men and women who sacrificed their personal comfort to ensure that Anambra’s steady march to progress is not derailed. However, these realists were spotted and given the opportunity by a resilient leader who wants the best for his people.

Ndi Anambra should join hands, irrespective of political leaning, to ensure speedy transformation of the State into a prosperous sub-national entity in the next four years. Soludo is open to new ideas, new visions of society and a New Hope. He needs them. Indeed, Anambra is the light of the nation.

WRITTEN BY SIR NORBERT OBI