?Salutes electorate for fresh mandate, hails Tinubu, extends hand of fellowship to losers

By PAMELA Eboh, Awka

Re-elected Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has mourned a councilor who was shot dead after voting in Saturday's governorship election in the state.

"We mourn a councillor from Owerre Ezukala community, who was shot after he had just voted.

?It is a border town and we understand they came from the borders and shot him and that was unfair," Soludo said late Sunday while addressing journalists in his residence following the renewal of his mandate for another four years.

He extended a hand of fellowship to other candidates who contested against him in the election.

The governor praised Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being a democrat and allowing the will of the people to prevail.

Addressing journalists at his country home in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, Soludo said: ?This is a moment to say congratulations to Anambra People.

"Four years ago we were elected with 112,000 votes, but this time you spoke loudly with 73 percent of the entire votes. This is a show of solidarity and a very emphatic statement.

?Out of 326 wards, we lost only six wards, and we won the entire 21 local government and that is very emphatic statement. We are in partnership with people at all levels in the state and we are matching on to gear four. We are in gear three as it were and we are moving to gear four. Thanks to Anambra people for renewing our employment.

"We thank Mr President, he has proven to be a very good democrat. I thank the new INEC chairman. It was his first outing and as the saying goes you don?t get second chance to make first impression, and you have proven that with this election. Every election years is getting better and better in Anambra.

?Except for few cases, I think the election was very free fair and credible. I thank the ICT section of INEC, as at last night, they had uploaded up to 99 percent of the results and we already knew where the election was going.

?To my brothers (fellow contestants) I say, we were 16, and obviously only one person will win. We have had fun, we have fought but we will still meet at functions at weekends and share drink the Anambra way. I extend a hand of fellowship to you and we will work together make Anambra better. For me, we will work for Anambra people and no minute is lost. Ours is an assignment with a deadline."

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