2025 Guber: Soludo Reiterates Commitment to ‘Building Anambra I’ll Be Proud to Live, Retire in’

By Praise Chinecherem

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state has reassured his commitment to building a livable and prosperous state he would be proud to live and eventually retire in.

Soludo stated this on Tuesday during endorsement of his re-election by Association of non-indigenes in the state as well as Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in support with Anambra Patriots for Soludo (APS).

He commended the groups for finding his government worthy of continuity, pledging to reciprocate the gesture by redoubling efforts in taking the state to enviable heights if returned to office come November 8, 2025.

He said, “This is a campaign of no other in Anambra history. This is the first time where the people are taking ownership of a campaign and paying to serve.

“Groups had offered to pay for my forms. Now, endorsement rally everywhere with chieftaincy title and cheques in millions.

“I’m deeply humbled and I don’t take it for granted. it’s a call for greater dedication for service. In next four years, when I believe my contract will be renewed, be rest assured you won’t recognize your state again.

“I’m joining hands with you in building a state where I will want to personally live, retire and take a walk on the streets. We must make Anambra home like no other.”

While restating his pan Nigerian status which he said, had always reflected in his decisions, Soludo stressed his merit recruitment criteria regardless of state of origin.

He added, “God didn’t make a mistake in puting us together as people of the same country with potentials to be the leader of the black race.
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“So, wherever we find ourselves, we should accept each other and work the talk.

“We should live it out everyday of our lives. What should concern us is what each of us can offer, not the language you speak or where you come from.

“I’ve been in public service at the national level and I am now in Anambra State and we live out the same principles.

“Some of my best friends are Moslem from the north. The best two drivers I ever had were from the North. Two of them are from Kogi and it didn’t matter to me where they came from.

“Some of the finest friends I’ve had were not of the same religion with me. They are not Igbo, not Christians. That is why in Anambra, we have one state, one agenda.

“We don’t have boundaries. Religion, location, local government is not our concern. Once you reside in Anambra, you’re part of us and treated equally like others.

“We recruited 5000 teachers in our first 9 months and over 1000 medical practitioners. When we looked at state of origin of the 5000 teachers, we discovered it covered about 18 states in Nigeria.

“The interest of an Anambra child is to be thought by the best teachers in the world and not by the incompetent teacher in his village.”

Earlier, Chairman of the Patriots, Damian Enekwechi said the decision to endorse the governor was informed by his outstanding performances in his less than four years in office.

“All the commitments and sacrifices we’ve been making in support of Mr Governor is due to the love we have for him. And we’re convinced he’ll do more when he returns,” he added.

State chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke said his organization have benefited immensely from the Soludo-led administration, including recruitment and other forms of empowerment.

Okeke, represented by Ezeokafor Ikechukwu said, We’re here because we’ve seen something that has never happened in Anambra before. Not less than 150 of us are civil servants today under Soludo,” he added.

Others who endorsed the governor on behalf of their groups were Chairman of Hausa Community in Anambra: Giddado Sidikki, VP, Ebonyi State People in Anambra, Moses Agbom; Chairman Igala community, Aliyu Yakubu and Chairman, Akwa Ibom Community: Chris Ekanem.