…my opponents are cheap popularity seekers – Soludo
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has received overwhelming backing from the over 90 markets’ traders in the State for his re-election bid in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The traders, under the aegis of the Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), at the weekend, at the Justice Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha also donated N10 million to the governor to support his governorship electioneering.
Humphrey Anuna, President-General of ASMATA, commended the governor for his administration’s approach to the development and enduring peace in the markets across the State.
According to him, the traders are enjoying the present administration, including apprentice traders program, which many have graduated into budding entrepreneurs, and have also established various businesses in the “One Youth, Two Skills initiative”.
Jude Nwankwo (Ocho Udo) and Jude Agumadu (Baby Awka), patrons of the ASMATA, in their separate remarks, noted that Soludo had mpacted the traders in different sectors.
These included the urban renewal, road infrastructure, health facilities, and education, construction of access roads in Awka and Onitsha for traders both within Anambra and outside the state to engage in seamless commercial activities.
They also commended the establishment of Agunechemba and Udo ga Achi operatives whose activities, in conjunction with other security agencies, which they said, had helped in restoring security in the State with a consequent boom in economic activities.
“We have agreed unanimously that Soludo is our candidate and nobody else. Traders will suffer in Anambra State if Soludo is not re-elected. Saturday, November 8, 2025, is a done deal for us”, they chorused.
Soludo, while responding, said the State Government under his watch would continue to partner with traders for the continuous transformation of the State.
He disclosed plans to harmonise levies and taxes across all sectors in the State to prevent multiple taxation and duplicity of revenue drives between the Local Government, State Government, and other agencies.
He reiterated that petty traders, barrow pushers, hawkers, and other low-income earners in the State had been exempted from paying taxes and daily tolls in the State.
“I want the traders to remain vigilant and maintain the values of hard work and enterprise as opposed to the get-rich-quick syndrome leading some youths into “okeite” and “yahoo boys” syndrome,” Soludo stated.
On Nov. 8 guber election in the state, Soludo said his opponents are merely looking for appointments.
“Those presenting themselves as contestants are only seeking appointments and cheap popularity, I have no real opponents in the poll.
“Every other contestant is looking for an appointment, but instead of them to come and tell us what they are looking for, they are claiming to be contesting for the election.
“Our opponents don’t have a certificate. Gone are the days when charlatans rule Anambra; this is the state of the great Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chinua Achebe, Alex Ekwueme; no unknown character will be allowed to rule Anambra again. They should go and continue their land-grabbing business and stop contesting to be governor.”, he noted.
