Any keen watcher of the unfolding events just before the November six Anambra polls would only but see pessimism, looming danger, wars and rumours of wars. Hardly was there a strong belief, even from quarters known for optimistic views that the election would come and go, without tears, sorrows and blood. Yet, God made the election the most peaceful ever witnessed in history.
However, the brightest take from the governorship election and greatest pointer to God’s direct intervention in the affairs of Anambra is the flurry of congratulatory messages to the winner of the election, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, and acceptance of defeat by his co-contestants in the ballot. From Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpo to Chika Jerry, from Valentine Ozigbo to Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the list appears unending.
President Muhammadu Buhari, himself of the All Progressives Congress, sent in an early message, congratulating Prof Soludo and his Deputy Governor-Elect, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige followed suit, just as former Governor Peter Obi, Chief George Moghalu, Engineer Chris Azugbogu, Prince Arthur Eze, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, and a litany of other contestants and stakeholders of opposing political parties.
Yes, it is not easy to accept defeat, without putting up more fight, especially in our clime where there are always those feeding fat from crisis and acrimony. Again, the individualistic nature of our people often makes it difficult to accept defeat, but will insist on ‘it is me or nobody else”.
Anambra is lucky this time around, judging from history where those who lost in elections used to unleash stupendous wealth fighting their cases at the tribunals. We cannot forget in a hurry that Anambra, in the past, was made a laughing stalk when an election matter into a House of Representatives seat was dragged, not only to the Supreme Court, but ignobly to ECOWAS court, Most of the time, they end up distracting the in-coming government, creating panic, bad blood and drawing back the wheel of development.
It is on this background that we cherish the olive branches coming in from the left, right and centre. They seem to be sending one central message: readiness by all to forge ahead with Prof Soludo and Dr Ibezim, to take Anambra to her apogee of progress and development.
Already, the congratulatory messages from United States and British governments, as well as the ones pouring in from Ndi Anambra in the diaspora, and international development partners, say a lot about the in-coming administration’s goodwill and international acceptance.
Prof Soludo has a strategic place on the rungs of history ladder, when, as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he fixed once and for all, the epileptic and comatose condition of the Nigeria banking system with his recapitalization policy.
He has also consulted for many financial institutions and economic sectors of the developing and developed parts of the globe. He was Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and at present, a Member of the Economic Advisory Council of President Buhari’s government.
Many state governments have, both in the past and present, ran to Prof Soludo for solution to one economic hurdle or the other. For someone of this pedigree, Ndi Anambra can only say that his silver hairs will buy us a golden opinion in the comity of states.
Last but strongest among the deluge of supporting voices, is that of the incumbent first family of the state, Chief Willie and Dr Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano. Even before the elections, Governor Obiano had told many a gathering of Ndi Anambra, his great wish to see his successor in office perform better than he, His Excellency has done. With these positive signs, the Soludo administration is expected to hit the ground running, from inception on March 17, 2022, for the eventual transformation of that socio culturally homogenous and geographic entity called Anambra.
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