By Ismaeel Aleem
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has launched a sharp rebuke against the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing their members as “nomadic politicians” who switch allegiances opportunistically during election seasons.
Speaking at a rally organised by the Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association in Onitsha, Soludo accused his rivals of lacking depth and merely jostling for appointments.
The governor, who is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) banner in the forthcoming 8 November governorship election, used the occasion to strengthen his campaign message.
READ ALSO: “They’re judging me by their standards” –Obi responds to Soludo’s one-term presidency criticism
The rally, held at the Chuba Ikpeazu Sports Complex, drew thousands of traders who publicly endorsed Soludo’s second-term ambition, further underscoring APGA’s entrenched presence in the state.
“Last time, it was the Labour Party everywhere, they were making noise. I call them the nomadic politicians; every election year, they enter another party,” Soludo declared, referencing the LP’s strong showing in the 2023 general elections under Peter Obi’s influence.
He remarked, “For us, we are APGA, and we say APGA is Anambra and Anambra is APGA.”
Soludo highlighted Anambra’s distinguished legacy, citing figures such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chinua Achebe, and Alex Ekwueme.
He stated: “Our opponents have no credentials. Gone are the days when charlatans ruled Anambra. No unknown character will ever be allowed to govern Anambra again.”
His comments followed APGA’s commanding performance in the August 16 by-elections, where the party secured more than 75% of the vote in both the Anambra South Senatorial District and the Onitsha North State Assembly constituency.
APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu clinched the senatorial seat with 90,408 votes, defeating APC’s Azuka Okwuosa (19,847) and ADC’s Donald Amangbo (2,889), in the contest to replace the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
In Onitsha North, Ifeoma Azikiwe emerged victorious in what had been regarded as Peter Obi’s stronghold.
Soludo described the results as an “emphatic rejection” of an “allied force” backed by Obi, declaring the Labour Party (LP) and ADC “dead” and “non-existent” in Anambra. He made the remarks during a victory celebration in Nanka.
Although insisting that the governorship race poses no genuine contest, Soludo pledged to approach it with the utmost seriousness.
“The journey to November 8 is still far, and we’re not taking anything for granted,” he said.
“Every other contestant is looking for an appointment, but instead of coming and telling us what they are looking for, they are claiming to be contesting for the election.”
READ ALSO: Soludo faces criticisms over comments on Anambra kidnapping
He also spoke on governance, pledging new development projects, the introduction of a cashless tax system, and an end to illegal levies imposed on petty traders.
He further appealed to market operators to keep their businesses open on Mondays despite lingering sit-at-home concerns.
