Anambra: High Expectations As Soludo, Renowned Professor Takes Over

By James Orji

There are high expectations among the people of Anambra state as Charles Soludo, a renowned Professor of Economics is sworn in as the executive governor of the state.

Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN will take over from Willy Obiano whose tenure has expired. The ex CBN governor was recently appointed as a member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic team.

He won the governorship election four months ago after defeating his closest rivals Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Valentine Ozigbo.

His victory in the keenly contested election has raise hopes among the residents of the state, that the professor who led the biggest commercial banks capitalization in the country while he was CBN Governor over a decade ago, will transform the state.

On his part, Soludo has not left anyone in doubt of his intention to change the political and economic direction of the state.

Following his declaration as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Soludo warned prospective jobseekers who want to work in his government that it will not be job as usual. He said he would change the former dynamics in which people who work as state officials are appointed based on the patronage and who-you-know.

He later directed those interested to work for him to apply through a porter established for that purpose.

His biggest shocker came when he revealed that only 50 people had been invited to attend his inauguration, and that there will not be an elaborate party to usher in his administration against the usual norm.

Some of these actions have, however raised controversy but vintage Soludo seems not to care, what is paramount to him, he said is to deliver the dividends of democracy to Anambra people who elected him.

Speaking on today’s inauguration, the Head, Soludo Media Office, Joe Anatune, said the swearing-in would be low-keyed.

In a statement in Awka, the state’s capital on Wednesday, Anatune said the ceremony would take place at the Government House, Agu-Awka, with few guests in attendance.

He said Soludo will inspect a guard of honour and consequently make his inaugural address to the people of the state, after which he will attend an inter-denominational service.

The governor-elect expressed gratitude to all for the outpouring of goodwill messages as well as the continuous support from well-wishers and numerous supporters within and across the globe.

According to the statement, “the Anambra State Governor-elect,

Prof Chukwuma Soludo, will officially be sworn in on Thursday (today) as the sixth democratically-elected governor of the state.

“Invited guests are expected to be seated by 9am prompt. Similarly, all accredited media houses are to be at the venue before 8am.

“After the official swearing in, Prof Chukwuma Soludo will inspect a guard of honour and consequently makes his inaugural address to the people of Anambra State. Thereafter, an inter-denominational service will hold briefly before the new Governor immediately sets out to work

“Please note this event is strictly low key and devoid of the usual merry-making and unbridled celebrations usually associated with occasions of this nature,” the statement said.