Reasons emerge why Soludo swept the Anambra governorship poll
The landslide victory of incumbent governor, Charles Soludo, in the Anambra State election, is being attributed to the 21/21 victory theory which is said to have begun in 2017 where a governor targets to sweep the 21 local councils of the state.
Soludo is said to have simply followed tradition. He scored a total of 422,664 votes while the next contender got (APC) who scored 99,445.
(See result summary: APGA 422,664; APC 99,445; LP 10,505; PDP 1,401).
Political experts in Awka said the landslide victory was contributed by a lot of factors, which includes political realignment between the south and central political zones of the state.
Read also: Soludo jubilates, commends INEC peaceful exercise, extends olive branch to other candidates
It was said that the governor’s political policy in the development of rural areas. The rural people thus found him their friend, it was said. He also did not have any strong contender in his party but had 15 others from the other political parties. Some said the only person who possessed strong force died along the line.
What is considered the strongest political permutation in Anambra State between the three senatorial zones in the state has a lot to do with the governor’s landside wining. This is because Anambra North produced the last governor before the present governor from the south. The south is expected to complete their eight years, too.
By this zoning arrangement in state that rotates the governorship position, after Soludo it will automatically shift to Anambra Central. The zone will not toy with their own turn. It was thus in their interest to block any new entrant who will block their own turn in next four years.
In view of the above the entire state, which includes Awka North, Njioka, Idemili North and South, among those made sure that Soludo won. Central was a no-go area in the central. This added to his south zone that stood for him.
Some pointed to his political will in developing most of the rural areas with quality roads. His battle against notorious native doctors who had converted the forests to evil zones also won him large support, though few voiced their grievances against the war against powers and principalities.
Many analysts dismissed rigging or violence as factors in the election, saying it was free and fair despite some skirmishes.
On what to expect going forward, some analysts talked of more projects especially on infrastructure, more battles against dark forces, and probably more fight against violent groups.
Some said the state may tilt to the centre and that the APC may wax stronger in the state.
Read also: Breaking: Soludo re-elected Anambra governor in landslide victory
Discouraging signals:
The state registered 2.8m voters out of an estimated population of 6m (some say 7.3m). Anambra was 4,2m in the last census exercise in 2006.
Political observers have however expressed dismay over very low voter turnout of about 600,000 voters in such a huge populace. It is attributed to slide in interest in elections and things that concern politics.
The LP which roused huge excitement and interest in election in 2023 could only garner slightly above 10,000 votes in the state where Peter Obi comes from.
Some others said they expect the new INEC leadership to take the lessons from the Anambra election to the 2027 general election to make it more free and fair.
