South-East-Governors (from left): Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Willy Obiano of Anambra, David Umahi of Ebonyi, Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia
South-East Governors congratulate Soludo, laud Buhari, INEC, security agencies
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Governors of the South-East region on Thursday congratulated the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Professor Chukwuma Soludo,on his victory in the just concluded Anambra Governorship election.
The Governors, urged the former Central Bank Governor to be magnanimous in victory, even they congratulated other candidates who partook in the election for their efforts and peaceful conduct during and after the election.
A press statement signed by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, and made available to Journalists in Abakaliki, further congratulated the incumbent Governor of the State, Willie Obiano, for a successful Governorship polls, noting that “God has ordained you to finish strong and well.”
They also lauded the President Muhammad Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies for neutrality, noninterference and ensuring transparency in the election.
The forum also thanked religious, political leaders, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders of South East, as well as Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer for their efforts in ensuring that the sit-at-home order and threats against holding the election were aborted.
The statement reads in part, “we urge Prof. Soludo to please, extend healing and loving hands to all the candidates in the election so that together, you will continue to contribute to the progress of the state from where His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano would stop. After every election, party politics should be left to political parties while good governance takes the centre stage for the good of the people.
“Testimonies available on the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the election speak greatly of their excellent job. Let me therefore, congratulate the commission for both a great job and their courage in conducting the election.
“We are grateful to all security chiefs and their men for their excellent job in the conduct of the election. From available accounts, they all played their roles excellently within their rules of engagement. This has unarguable boosted the public confidence in our security system.
“Our gratitude goes to all our religious leaders, our political leaders, our traditional fathers, many stakeholders of South East, and Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer for their efforts in ensuring that the sit-at-home order and threats against holding the election were aborted. I believe that with the same spirit, we will work together for a political solution in handling our present situation in South East.
“We thank Mr. President, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR so much for his efforts and neutrality in the success of the Anambra election. Mr. President, this is just you and you have once again demonstrated that you are a true democrat with a great commitment to bequeath to the nation an impeccable electoral process. Thank you for the security agencies, INEC officials, and the safety of our people during and after the election.
“Mr. President, please, as a follow-up to your presidential delegation to South-East this year on the solution to the situation of South-East, may we inform you that we South-East leaders have been working so hard for an amicable solution. All leaders of South-East strongly wish to present to Mr. President, some suggestions for a possible political solution over our present situation. After Our next meeting, we shall be writing to request for an appointment with Mr. President on this matter. We thank you Mr. President for your kind disposition to listen to our leaders for a possible amicable resolution of all contending issues in South-East.”
