Anambra Election; “Our People Have Made an Excellent Choice” -Senator Ngige

Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, has congratulated Anambra State Governor-elect Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, on his victory in the state’s governorship election on November 6.

Senator Ngige stated that the people of the state made an excellent choice in electing Soludo.

In a goodwill message issued by his Media Office on Wednesday, the Minister congratulated the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on his resounding victory in the election, saying it was well deserved.

See also Anambra Election; Senator Ngige asks INEC To Extend Voting Period.

In his words, “Ndi-Anambra have spoken with this resounding victory. Having contested in 2010 with Soludo, who was then the PDP candidate and myself in ACN; an election in which I was ‘awarded’ the second position even though I won outright and Soludo third, I knew that with his tenacity of purpose and drive, he would one day make it to the seat of the Governor of Anambra State.

“It is a case in patience and endurance, an aspiration nurtured to serve the people with all his strength, I seriously believe. Ndi-Anambra I know, will hence, entertain no excuses. Much has been given, hence the expectation is very high. Knowing Soludo as I do, however, I do not doubt that our people have made an excellent choice by voting him.”

He also congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on conducting a free, fair, and credible election, despite the initial hiccups caused by the Biometric Voters’ Accreditation (BVAS) system malfunctioning in some areas.

See also Anambra Election; “We Didn’t call for the Cancellation of Results.” – APC.

“A solid opportunity is here offered to INEC to brace up to the challenges posed by the Anambra Election, which he labelled “a guinea pig election.” especially with the debut of the BVAS technology for a more credible, free, and fair elections in the future.

“At this auspicious juncture, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari deserves a glowing national tribute. I put on record, that Mr. President had on three different occasions, assured through me, that the Anambra governorship election would be free and fair.

“The last of such occasion being on October 14, 2021, when I conveyed the fear and the consternation of the religious leaders, elder statesmen and traditional rulers of Anambra State, more especially that of his friend, the Archbishop of the Onitsha Metropolitan Province, His Grace, Dr. Valerian Okeke to him in his office.

“Not only did the President ensure a level playing field for all the political parties, but he also directed all the security agencies to deploy into Anambra to protect and secure voters and electoral workers. A promise kept!

“Worthy of commendation in this direction is the professionalism exhibited by the security agencies – the army, police, DSS and the Civil Defence during the exercise, in compliance with the wish of the President for the good people of Anambra State.

“The election has come and gone and it is very free, fair, and credible. Mr. President has indeed lived true to his assurances to Ndi-Anambra and by this very fact, demonstrated once again, that he is no enemy to Ndi-Igbo.

“What a better value to democracy, than a legacy of credible elections, in which the will of the people reigns supreme. May we, therefore, hail this true democrat!Continuing, Ngige appealed to all those who contested the exalted position with Professor Soludo to sheath their swords.”

See also “I Need all of You to Succeed”- Soludo to other Contestants

“Only one person would emerge a winner in this contest, more so, when the seat of the Governor of Anambra State can only be occupied by one person at any given time. I, therefore, urge the other candidates to be good losers and join hands with the Governor-elect to give the state the best.

“As an elder statesman in the state, I have no choice than to irrevocably stand with my dear Ndi-Anambra in their desire for unfettered freedom to choose their leaders. It is a legacy we must bequeath to the posterity of our people.