Michael Ovat-Awka
Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo, congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate and president-elect of the federal republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Soludo, also the National Leader of APGA, named Nigerian youths as the heroes of the just concluded National election in the country.
He added that beyond the elections, the insecurity ravaging the South East should be of concern to all, so he called on Tinubu to immediately release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), immediately after his swearing-in.
In a press statement he signed, the governor said: “The 2023 General Elections in Nigeria have come and gone. While we commend INEC for the successful completion of the general elections, it is important to note that we must seriously continue to reform and strengthen our electoral processes and citizens’ political participation as we march towards a perfect system.
“To me, the true heroes of the last elections are the citizens of Nigeria, especially the youths, whose voices will continue to be critical as we collectively strive to build a new Nigeria. Nigeria is the winner, and I am confident that a better future lies ahead of us.”
He congratulated the president-elect: “Let me also congratulate the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his election. We congratulate your closest opponents for their courageous and impressive outings.
“Nigeria needs healing and restructuring, and the fundamental challenges of insecurity and the economy remain humongous. We pledge to collaborate and partner with you and the Federal Government to develop Anambra state and Nigeria. This is the only country we call ours, and must make it work.”
On the insecurity in the South East, and the call for Kanu’s release, Soludo said: “One critical issue that we must draw your urgent attention is the issue of systemic insecurity in the South East.
“While our efforts with the security agencies yield significant results, we believe sustainable peace and security will be enhanced through wider non-kinetic engagements with all critical stakeholders.
“In this regard, may I repeat my previous calls and request our President-Elect to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately after swearing-in (if he is not released before then). We need him around the table as an important stakeholder in discussions about healing and sustainable peace in the South East.”
Soludo congratulated the newly elected governors and pledged to join hands with them at the level of the Nigeria Governors Forum to build Nigeria.
He called on all those who feel aggrieved about the elections to take relevant steps in recovering their mandate while stating that some APGA candidates, whose positions were announced for other political parties, will also approach the court.
