By Uzo Ugwunze
It was a time of testimonies, encomiums and assertions from the entire market leadership of Anambra State as traders came together in one voice to endorse the incumbent Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo (Oluatuegwu) for a second term in office.
Speaking during Traders rally organized under the auspices Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) at Chuba Ikpeazu Sports Stadium Awka Road Onitsha, ASMATA Patrons, PG and all the market leaders came out en masse to pledge their solidarity behind the Governor with a cash donation of 10 million naira.
ASMATA Patron, Chief Jude Nwankwo (Ochendo Umuawulu) described Governor Soludo as a man who believes in the values of Chief Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu who is the father of All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA saying that Soludo has been leading by example.
“Governor Soludo has been reforming the social and physical lives of Anambrarians. He has brought transformation everywhere, consider roads infrastructure, Light House complex, Hospitals or health sector, free antenatal and child delivery, Free education.
“Soludo stopped the quest for easy money making through Okeite ritual. He said he would be using locally made Innoson motors and he has been doing that. The Anambra burial laws and homeland security laws brought sanity to Anambra State. He is our father, our friend and all the traders are supporting him. There is no need going back. We are mobilizing without force, you can see the faces of traders with organic love.
” Anambra and Igbo people are wise people. APGA was formed by Ojukwu and Ojukwu is the father of Igbo people. This is where to go and we cannot afford to disappoint Ojukwu. So we must vote APGA,” said Nwankwo
In his welcome address, ASMATA PG, Chief Humphrey Anuna (Onwa Oraeri) eulogized His Excellency stating a catalogue of Soludo’s achievements ranging from improving security to youths empowerment including Umu Boi/Business apprentices.
“Over Six years ago, some parts of Anambra was no go area because of insecurity but courtesy of our Excellency somebody could now come home and claim ‘this is my community begging Deputy Governor to leave’.
“Traders call you ‘Okwulumekalia’ because you have done more than you promised to do. We have ASMATA Youths for grassroot political campaigns. All the traders are standing solidly behind you. We are preparing earnestly to deliver every polling unit in the state,” said Anuna.
According to New Auto Spare parts Market Nkpor, Chief Stephen Oforleh popularly called Award Our Governor is doing well. Soludo is passionate about traders welfare. This is the first time government is giving help directly to individual traders not from hand to hand. During the 1 Youth 2 skills empowerment some apprentices in the market benefitted immensely. We traders from New parts Nkpor who are part of ASMATA with one voice have declared that 4+4 is 8, Soludo, Oluatuegwu must complete his second term as Governor
Also ,his counterpart at Nkpor Relief market, Chief Paul Okafor commended Soludo for his giant strides in governance saying that among every other candidate coming out for gubernatorial election Soludo stands out. Our workaholic Governor is going to complete 8 years and we traders are going to vote for him.
However, Governor Soludo thanked all the traders for their support and gift urging them to continue paying their taxes for more dividends of democracy to continue. He promised to tackle multiple taxation by introducing e-payment and harmonizing both state taxes and Local Government revenue into one e- payment system.
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