Senator Uche Ekwunife
Ekwunife urges Soludo to be ‘magnanimous in victory,’ hails Ozigbo for ‘demonstrating spirit of good sportsmanship’
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Campaign Organization for Valentine Ozigbo, and senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial district, Uche Ekwunife has urged winner of the just-concluded governorship election, Prof. Charles Soludo to be magnanimous in victory and ‘waste no time in assembling a competent team of men and women that will tackle the numerous challenges facing the state.’
While also commending the people of Anambra for conquering their fears and fully participating in the electoral process in the state, Senator Ekwunife congratulated the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof Soludo on his victory.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for the Anambra Governorship Elections, Prof. Florence Obi, had on Tuesday, declared Prof. Charles Soludo as winner of the poll.
In a statement made available to Oracle Today, Wednesday night, the Senator Ekwunife hailed the candidate of her party, PDP, Valentine Ozigbo for ‘demonstrating spirit of good sportsmanship and doggedness and commitment to democracy.’
Ozigbo was one of the first candidates at the poll to concede defeat and congratulate Soludo, on Tuesday, barely hours after INEC had announced the winner.
Ekwunife further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for its innovation and introduction of the BVAS technology which no doubt helped in strengthening the creditability of the electoral process.
Ekwunife equally commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the outgoing Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano, for their efforts in ensuring that all political parties were given a level playing ground.
“I hope that this election has marked a departure from the days of intimidation and harassment of those in opposition. The outcome of the election has shown that power belongs to the people.
“In every democratic contest, there must be a winner and God, through the good people of Anambra State has chosen Prof. Soludo to lead the state. As responsible citizens and lovers of democracy, we must accept the wishes of our people as expressed on Saturday, November 6th and Tuesday, November 9th governorship polls.
“It has to be said that this election was one of the most challenging for Ndi Anambra, our democratic existence was threatened by myriads of challenges. Leading to the election, the insecurity and killings witnessed across the state casted a dark shadow on the governorship campaign process. However, in the end, Anambrarians triumphed and came out, across the 326 wards in the state to cast their votes in what can be adjudged as one of the most peaceful elections in Nigeria in recent times.
“Though the electoral process as witnessed across the 21 LGAs in the state gave our people the opportunity to choose their governor, it is sad to observe that cases of vote-buying characterized the poll, casting a dent on the electoral process. As we continue to develop as a nation, I hope that we make a departure from this ugly development and get our people to see the need to vote according to their conscience – without financial inducement”.
