10 reasons why Soludo will win Anambra elections overwhelmingly

Next Saturday – on the 16th of August – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be conducting the senatorial bye-election for Anambra South Senatorial zone in order to fill the vacancy in the red chambers which was created by the demise of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in July 2024. Twelve political parties will be participating in this election. From all indications, this forthcoming senatorial election will be a proof to show that there is no opposition in Anambra State and that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s progressive and people-oriented leadership have entrenched his political party in the hearts of the electorate in Anambra.

There are a number of reasons why Soludo’s party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), will win overwhelmingly next Saturday and in the November 8th Anambra gubernatorial elections. In this piece, we will list these reasons in no particular order.

One, Governor Soludo’s administration is characterized by bold infrastructural projects that have endeared his administration to the electorates in Anambra State. The administration has constructed more roads and bridges in the last three and halve years than has been seen in any 8-year period in the history of Anambra State. (During the 2021 campaigns, Ndi Anambra told Soludo, who was then a gubernatorial candidate, that their first three most important needs were: Roads, Roads and Roads!). There are several landmark legacy projects associated with the Soludo administration such as: the Fun City, the new Government House, regeneration of cities such as Okpoko, Ekwulobia, Awka, etc. His performance in the health, education, security and human capital spheres have also been phenomenal

Two, the idea of regional balance and sentiment favor Soludo. Anambra has a zoning arrangement which was started by Governor Peter Obi and this has allowed power to move – every 8 years – from each senatorial zone. Peter Obi, who is from Anambra Central spent 8 years as governor. Willie Obiano, who is from the northern senatorial zone spent the next 8 years. So, it is in the best interest of Peter Obi’s senatorial zone for Soludo to complete another 4 years and handover to a candidate from the central senatorial zone in 2030. Anything apart from this rotational arrangement will scatter and distort the peaceful political terrain in Anambra forever. The recent promises for a one-term tenure by other candidates in Anambra’s forthcoming gubernatorial election are because they know and believe in this power shift arrangement. Because of the nature of power, no politician can ever keep to a promise of spending one-term in office when the constitution allows for two terms. History is replete with many ‘honest’ politicians who broke this kind of promise!

Three, Soludo’s political party, APGA, has never gone into any gubernatorial election this strong. This makes Soludo’s path to victory smoother. As of today, the party has no factions and is strongly united. Though the party had been coming out victorious in previous gubernatorial elections in the state, it has never experienced this kind of unity. In 2013, Uche Ekwunife (then an APGA aspirant) went to court challenging Willie Obiano’s emergence after the APGA primary, alleging irregularities. In 2017, there was a tussle between the Martin Agbaso and Obiano / Victor Oye faction on the conduct of primary elections but the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Obiano / Victor Oye. In 2021, factions led by Okeke and Umeoji attempted to truncate the primary election that brought in Soludo as governor.

Four, the massive goodwill being received by Governor Soludo stands him out. A few months ago, while commissioning some of Soludo’s landmark projects, President Tinubu publicly aligned with him, praising his competence and legacy. This high-profile endorsement cements Soludo’s national appeal and his alignment to the center. (One opposition candidate has made it his major campaign rhetoric to talk about how he is going to take Anambra to the center but the truth is that no politician in Anambra can connect the state to the center as much as Soludo would). Soludo’s long-term relationship with President Tinubu and his federalist political ideology stand him out. There have been other high-profile endorsements from past governors, ministers, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, traditional rulers, business leaders, youth groups and professional organizations.

Five, the disarray in the opposition camp makes Soludo’s path to victory easier. Today, virtually all the opposition parties in the state – APC, Labour Party (LP), PDP, and NNPP – have been hobbled by internal factionalism and leadership crises, reducing their ability to mount unified campaigns. Also, these opposition parties in the state have non-existent grassroot reach in Anambra.

Six, the public perception of Soludo as a technocrat and intellectual stand him out. Many middle-class voters and the Ndi Anambra in the diaspora see Governor Soludo as a competent manager of resources. The former minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, referred to Soludo as the man of the future and that he would like to vote for someone he would want his son to be like. He extoled Governor Soludo’s professional and personal accomplishments. He says Soludo represents the Anambra man of the future: internationally accomplished citizen with a local and grassroot appeal.

Seven, Soludo’s national appeal and name recognition stand him out. Today, not many people living outside Anambra – even those living in Anambra – can mention the names of other candidates contesting for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections apart from Governor Soludo.

Eight, Soludo’s party, APGA, is strongly rooted in Anambra and its more of a mass movement. No other political party in Anambra has the polling unit, ward, local government and state-wide structure. The party is well-organized at the grassroot and the man in the street in Anambra is very proud to be associated with it and what it represents.

Nine, Soludo is leading a strong and issue-based political campaign. Though Soludo knows he is going to win the forthcoming elections but he is not taking anything for granted. (The word in the street is that the opponents plan to rig the elections because they know they are not popular). Soludo’s strong media strategy, including social media presences and regular updates help maintain visibility and counter false opposition narratives.

Ten, Soludo’s championing of moral governance and his confrontation of cultism disguised as tradition has endeared him to religious organizations such as the church. Religious leaders see Soludo as a beacon of hope that will help transform society and eliminate moral decadence. (Soludo’s confrontation of cultism and evil native doctors have significantly helped in securing Anambra State).

A strong infrastructure record, expansive endorsements and a fractured opposition make Soludo’s path to a second term in office very smooth!