By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Stakeholders across political drives and communities in Anambra State, Saturday, hailed the Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo over what they termed his disruptive change and monumental achievements within two years in office.
The stakeholders, under the auspices of Soludo Ambassadors, a political interest group that promotes good governance and accountability said they were wowed by the governor's ability to deliver dividends of democracy across the 179 communities and 30 constituencies in Anambra State within two years.
Speaking at a rally held at Nteje, the headquarters of Oyi Local Government Area, the Convener of Soludo's Ambassadors, Hon. Ossy Onuko recalled that no facet of the State had not felt government presence since inception of the current administration.
Ọnuko said they came to rejoice with the Anambra North and also support them to celebrate Soludo's delivered dividends of democracy in the zone which included transforming of Okpoko, security of lives and property, networks of roads, employments of 5000 teachers and medical personnel, among others.
He explained that the rally was third of its kinds as the ambassadors had held similar event for Anambra Central and Anambra South respectively.
" We said we will use this rally to celebrate the governor's achievements and 2 years in office. Soludo is working. And Solution is here. This is the first time a first term governor is delivering a dividends of democracy within two years and even before election. He started from the first day to show Anambra people that he came to work for them.
"He did not wait till when the next election comes to flag off projects as strategy to win second term. He has brought water back to Anambra. Soludo has built roads and other developmental projects at Okpoko. Fegge (Onitsha) now has hospital for the first time in Anambra. He lifted Awka from being dead capital city to a vibrant and liveable city. Our health centres have been turned around. Pregnant women from neighbouring states are now coming to Anambra State to have their babies delivered free of charge.
"Anambra now has the biggest road networks and Fun city. We want you to take the message of hope, the message of good governance to the people at the grassroots. Soludo's second term is not contestable. Anambra people have agreed and accepted that he should go for second term unopposed," he re-echoed.
Also speaking, the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, averred that they had monitored the projects and ascertained that they were up to standard.
"This is first time in the history of Anambra State we are witnessing this type of good governance... All the 30 constituencies are witnessing infrastructure development at the same time. All of the communities are been connected with networks of roads. We all have agreed that there is no vacancy in Anambra State in 2025," Udeze.
On his part, the Special Adviser, political to Governor Soludo, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, described Soludo Ambassadors as one of the best and first to have held rally across three political zones in support of the governor's 'disruptive change.'
" It was one of the many that birthed after the governor's election. And they have done mightier things. I praise you for being the most active support group of the governor out of 35 other Soludo support groups. He support and wish them to continue. He promised a disruptive change. All parts of Anambra State are witnessing a distruptive change. We have reclaimed 7 LGAs from unknown gunmen.
" In less than 2 years, I have not seen an administration that delivered 247 kilometres of roads in 2 years. He promised a digital tribes and he is delivering it. Anambra youth are being trained with digital skills. We train at home and export abroad to bring in dollars. Over 5000 youths have been trained with different skills and empowered ...," he added.
The event, themed Soludo ambassadors Anambra North zonal mega rally: soldering the solution agenda, which featured rallies and dancing troupes and masquerade parades, was attended by the youth, women and calibres of men, including traditional rulers and leaders of thoughts from Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Onitsha North, Onitsha South and Oyi Local Government Areas.
The programme also witnessed installation of patrons for the support group, a health talk and inauguration of campaign against illicit drugs and substance abuse aimed at changing the narratives and preventing the youth of Anambra North from failing to drugs abuse.
The State Commandant of NDLEA, Onyeishi Daniel Ogbonna, represented by the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Mr Christopher Adobe, enjoined the Anambra North stakeholders to join in creating community drug control committees as they would help to fight the scourge from the grassroots levels to the State levels.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of Soludo Ambassadors in Anambra North, Hon. Tony Anya-Egwuatu, explained that the rally was aimed at mobilising support for Soludo to do more, while also endorsing him for second term because they have seen that he would turn the fortunes of the State around if allowed to continue to 8 years.
Meanwhile, the Traditional Ruler of Awkzu, Oyi Local Government Area, Igwe Professor Charles Anikwenze, who broke kolanut for the event, prayed for God wisdom and guidance on the support group so as to enable them achieve desired results.