By Christian ABURIME
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo addressed a passionate crowd in a rally at Ekwulọbịa, calling for support for his candidacy and emphasizing the importance of the community’s involvement in local governance.
During the rally, the Governor made a strong statement regarding petty traders, urging local authorities to refrain from collecting fees from them. The call stems from his visit to Eke market in Awgbu where it was observed that levies were still being collected from petty traders with less than one hundred thousand naira capital, against government directive.
“Don’t collect from them anymore. We will arrest anybody that goes ahead to disregard this,” he warned, reaffirming his commitment to protecting the livelihoods of petty traders.
Governor Soludo expressed gratitude for the community’s support, declaring, “It is now a people’s movement.” He highlighted the significance of Ekwulọbịa, stating that while Jim Nwobodo had designated Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, and Ekwulọbịa as cities, the latter appeared to have been overlooked in the development plans.
“To become a real city, Ekwulọbịa requires serious planning,” he stated, proposing the establishment of a dedicated committee on town planning to facilitate this growth.
In addition to municipal reforms, Governor Soludo emphasized his administration’s commitment to social welfare, with a mention of the free education, free antenatal care, and delivery services for the underprivileged. He took a moment to commend the Ekwulọbịa community for its resilience and support in the face of challenges.
Earlier, Chief Joseph Okafor expressed his appreciation, stating, “Mr. Governor, you have achieved remarkable feats in just three years, not only in Aguata but across Anambra as well. We are truly thankful for your efforts.”
Dr. Chibueze Offorbike, the Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area, stated, “We have transformed from a rural to a semi-urban and now an urban local government area, courtesy of Governor Soludo. Thank you for making us proud. We assure you of our commitment from the wards to the polling units.”
Other speakers also commended Governor Soludo for his transformational strides within the State and Ekwulọbịa
A cheque of eighty million naira was presented to the Governor, alongside the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim to support his campaign.