Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has boldly stated that he faces no serious opposition in the upcoming November 8 governorship election, dismissing his rivals as mere fundraisers rather than actual contenders, DAILY GAZETTE reports.
Speaking at an endorsement rally held in Awka by stakeholders from the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Soludo accused those vying against him of entering the race only to solicit money from influential politicians.
“They are not contesting, they are doing fund raisings. I hear they have been going around begging top politicians, ministers that ‘you know I’m contesting for governor, please support me’,” Soludo remarked.
This event marked the second major endorsement of Soludo’s re-election bid, following a similar show of support in Otuocha, Anambra East, where stakeholders from the Anambra North Senatorial Zone described his candidacy as a consensus ticket for the state.
During his address, the governor emphasized the importance of maintaining Anambra’s political zoning arrangement, stating it would be unfair to truncate the system that has fostered peace and equity in leadership rotation across the zones.
“A few weeks ago a rally like this happened in the North Senatorial Zone, and all the stakeholders, community leaders, traditional rulers, youths, students, all declared that our ticket is a consensus for Anambra,” he said.
“Today too, you (Anambra Central) are here to declare that this ticket is the consensus ticket for the 2025 election.”
Soludo reiterated his plan to hand over power to the Central Zone after completing his second term, arguing that electing anyone else from the South, where he hails from, would distort the zoning cycle.
“I want to remind you people that we have zoning system in Anambra. It started with Central Zone with Peter Obi. When he finished, everyone agreed that for there to be order, fairness and equity that zoning be institutionalised.
“After then it went to the North and for eight years Obiano was governor and after that it went to South (where Soludo hails from) and South is going to have it for eight years, after that it would be central again,” he explained.
“I don’t know who else is contesting in this election, but we heard that some people are contesting but we don’t know who they are. But I want to assure you that after South, power will shift to Central. Any one coming from South to contest against me wants power to stay in the South for 12 years.
“If anyone else from South gets to power, he will stay for eight years and that will delay the turn of the central. So, four more years for Soludo is better than eight years by anyone else, so that central can take their turn.”
The governor claimed that many of his so-called opponents are not genuinely running for office but are seeking personal gain through political fundraising.
“We have not started our campaign and have not constituted a campaign council. We are not contesting the election with anyone. Anambra is APGA and APGA is Anambra. All Progressives contesting against me know what they are contesting for and not for governor, and they know. In Anambra, progressives are working together,” he said.
“We are targeting to win at least 90 percent of all the electoral wards in the Central Senatorial Zone.”
Governor Soludo also revealed that he has moved into the newly completed Anambra Light House City (New Government House).
“We will continue to work for Anambra people. Let me announce to you that I have officially moved into the Anambra Light House City (New Government House). I moved there officially yesterday and I slept there last night, woke up this morning and simply strolled to this venue. You have not seen anything yet, we have more in line for Anambra people.”
DAILY GAZETTE reports that the rally featured endorsements from political leaders, student representatives, and market and community leaders.
Notable figures like Osita Chidoka and Okey Muo-Aroh also addressed the gathering.
The event concluded with Hon. Chukwuma Okoye, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, reading a formal communiqué of support from the Central Senatorial Zone.
