Vincent Ezenagu
The disruptive change brought about by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State shows how campaigns should be funded, as the state’s gubernatorial campaign is showcasing a startling new phenomenon in the annals of Nigerian elections.
Thus far, the trend has been that governorship candidates offer money to groups and communities as they visit in search of votes, but the campaign of Governor Soludo is different.
According to the State’s Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, the various communities in Anambra State have continued to raise millions of Naira for the campaign of the Governor Soludo, who is popularly known as the “Solution Governor”, and have amiably been given the title of “Oluatuegwu”, in Igbo parlance, which means “A Man that is not Afraid of Work.”
Recently, the Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo and traditional rulers from the five Southeast states, as well as Rivers, Delta, and Edo, also conferred on Soludo the honour of “Oku-Nyelu-Ife” (light that has illuminated).
Oba Town in the Idemili South Local Government Area is the latest to support Soludo’s “Solution” agenda, donating ₦50 million and pledging a sweeping victory across all polling units.
The endorsement underscores the growing confidence in Soludo’s governance, and as the political momentum builds, the Oba community’s stance sends a powerful message ahead of the polls, with other communities demonstrating their loyalty. ,
Solidarity support began with students donating N3 million before Soludo’s re-election declaration, sparking a wave of contributions from various communities and groups, with donations ranging from N10 million to N100 million.
The unique significance of this trend is that while other candidates are borrowing money to buy voters, Soludo’s campaign is being crowdfunded by the people, a demonstration of love and determination to return a hard-working governor.
Another political group donated N50 million to back the governor’s campaign, while the North, Central, and South Senatorial Zones raised N50 million, N70 million, and N100 million, respectively. ASMATA donated N10 million, while some stakeholders in Idemili North and South Local Government Areas raised N70 million. The Obosi community supported with N50 million, while Amichi community backed the mission with N50 million, among others.
With these supports, Mefor put forward the question, “With the communities in Anambra endorsing and funding Governor Soludo’s campaign, is there any need for other candidates to continue their futile race with the governor’s November poll victory in sight?