Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has congratulated President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his victory in the February 25 election.
In a statement yesterday in Awka, the state capital, Soludo urged opponents of the President-elect to go to court for redress, if they have genuine issues about the poll.
The governor promised to partner the incoming Tinubu administration for more developments in Anambra State, saying Nigeria needs healing and restructuring.
He hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the general election, especially the citizens, for turning out to be what he called the real “heroes” of democracy.
“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. Congratulations to all Nigerians!
“Let me also congratulate the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his election. We congratulate your closest opponents for their courageous and impressive outing.
“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 for the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
“One critical issue that we must draw your urgent attention to is the issue of systemic insecurity in the Southeast.
“While our efforts with the security agencies are yielding significant results, we believe that 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 hereby request our President-elect to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately after swearing-in (that is, 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 Southeast.
“To our newly elected colleagues (governors-elect), we say a big congratulation. Let us work together, especially under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) in pursuit of national common good.
“We also congratulate the elected members of the National and State Assemblies. We also thank millions of Nigerians who voted for candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) across the entire country.”
“As true believers in the potentials of Nigeria, our party will continue to network and collaborate with all like-minded Nigerians and groups to advance the greatness of this country.
“So far, winners have been declared, and those who are dissatisfied with the results have the rights to pursue their grievances through the due process of the law.
“My own political party, the APGA, might challenge several of the results in pursuit of justice.
“While we will take all necessary legal steps to recover the seats we believe that APGA won, especially in Anambra State, but were mistakenly called for other parties, we also know that several of the announced ‘winners’ from other parties are ‘APGA-nised’ and are patriotic citizens of the state.”
