The Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the 2025 Anambra governorship election, Jude Ezenwafor, has declared his readiness to work with Governor Chukwuma Soludo in the interest of the state.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Ezenwafor said he had always maintained a cordial relationship with the governor.
He said, “I can assist him. I have been assisting him before; he is my friend. I brought him to work in Anambra,” he said on the breakfast show, one day after Soludo was declared the winner of Saturday’s exercise.
“I convinced Soludo to contest the election in the first instance when I was Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano. He came, he did well, and there is no perfect person.”
The PDP flagbearer, despite criticisms of Soludo’s handling of security, commended the governor and his team for being proactive. He urged the governor to prioritise inclusivity in governance.
Ezenwafor further stated, “Soludo and his security team are working. We have competent security chiefs in Anambra. I will advise His Excellency, Governor Soludo: What they need is better equipment, and insecurity will end. I believe he will do more. I have called to congratulate him, but if he doesn’t do well, I will speak.
“I will advise Governor Chukwuma Soludo to run an inclusive government so that Anambra will be very safe and prosperous.”
Ezenwafor, speaking on the allegations of vote-buying during the election, said the claims were exaggerated.
He stated, “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.
“Even my party agents were taken by the state executives to work for another party. But Anambra people have spoken; we will allow Governor Soludo to finish his four years.”
Responding to claims that he was a placeholder candidate, Ezenwafor dismissed the suggestion.
He said, “If you say something like that, it doesn’t matter. Nobody will throw away over ₦80 million to clinch a party ticket just to be a figurehead. Am I stupid? 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 these people messed me up. I’m not desperate or feeling bad. I thank God I’m alive. I even suspect they were the ones that shot me.”
Ezenwafor alleged that there was an assassination attempt on his life during the campaign.
He added, “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.”
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