The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recently concluded Anambra State governorship election, Jude Ezenwafor, has expressed his readiness to collaborate with Governor Chukwuma Soludo in fostering growth and progress across the state.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Ezenwafor described his relationship with Soludo as one built on mutual respect and long-standing friendship.
“I can assist him. I have been assisting him before; he is my friend. I brought him to work in Anambra,” Ezenwafor said.
The PDP candidate revealed that he had previously encouraged Soludo to run for governor during his tenure as Senior Special Assistant to former Governor Willie Obiano.
“He (Soludo) came, he did well, and there is no perfect person,” he added.
While acknowledging public concerns over security challenges in the state, Ezenwafor commended the Soludo administration for its proactive approach and dedication to restoring peace.
He urged the governor to strengthen his inclusive governance strategy and provide better equipment to security agencies.
“Soludo and his security team are working. We have competent security chiefs in Anambra. What they need is better equipment, and insecurity will end. I believe he will do more,” he stated.
Ezenwafor further disclosed that he had personally called Governor Soludo to congratulate him on his victory but emphasized that he would not hesitate to speak out if the administration fails to meet public expectations.
“I will advise Governor Chukwuma Soludo to run an inclusive government so that Anambra will be very safe and prosperous,” he said.
On allegations of vote-buying during the election, Ezenwafor dismissed such claims as exaggerated and insisted he ran a clean campaign.
“That’s their opinion. I intend to challenge in court whether vote-buying is not election rigging. Almost five political parties engaged in vote-buying. If you remove the five, you will find me. I did not buy votes,” he explained.
Ezenwafor also lamented that some of his party agents were allegedly compromised by the state PDP executives, choosing to work for another political party instead. Despite these challenges, he said he respects the decision of Anambra voters and will allow Governor Soludo to complete his four-year term.
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Refuting claims that he ran as a placeholder, Ezenwafor maintained that his ambition was genuine and serious, noting that he had invested significant resources in his campaign despite surviving an alleged assassination attempt.
“Nobody will throw away over ₦80 million to clinch a party ticket just to be a figurehead. I had the intention to run. I have my Organic Millionaires Club—100 people who promised me 10 votes each. I was already cruising at 326,000 votes, but things went wrong. I thank God I’m alive; I even suspect those who attacked me were the same people,” he said.
Reflecting on his effort to revive the PDP in Anambra, he said the party was in a weakened state before his emergence as candidate, adding that the assassination attempt nearly cost him his life.
“The PDP was in a comatose state when I came in. I decided to run, but I was shocked when there was an attempt on my life. I was hospitalised for almost three months,” he recalled.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was officially declared the winner of the November 8 Anambra governorship election.
The State Returning Officer, Professor Omoregie Edoba, announced that Soludo secured 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes.
Other results include:
- Paul Chukwuma (YPP): 37,753 votes
- John Nwosu (ADC): 8,208 votes
- George Moghalu (Labour Party): 10,576 votes
- Jude Ezenwafor (PDP): 1,401 votes
INEC reported that 598,229 voters were accredited out of 2,788,864 registered voters, with 584,054 valid votes and 11,244 rejected ballots recorded.
