Soludo joins APGA, declares bid for Anambra guber

BY ENYIM ENYIM
ONITSHA—Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the February 6, 2010
gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo,
Wednesday, declared his intention to run for the November 16
governorship poll in the state.
Soludo made the declaration after formally picking APGA membership
card from his Isuama ward at a meeting with the ward's executive.
He had on July 17, 2013 resigned his membership of the PDP on grounds
that the party did not represent what he needed in actualising his
dream and vision in politics with regards to the welfare of the people
of Anambra and Nigeria in general.
The resignation letter, addressed to the national chairman of the
PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, titled: "Letter of resignation as a member
of PDP" read: "This is to convey my resignation as a member of the
Peoples Democratic Party with effect from July 17, 2013″.
"Let me use this opportunity to thank the party for the opportunity
given to me to serve it in some capacity.
"This resignation is without prejudice to the possibility of future
collaboration with the party in any areas of common interest
designed toadvance the course of nation building."
Soludo, who said he had to dump PDP after due consultation with his
family, Anambra elders and stakeholders from January 2, this year till
the date he resigned, said he was joining the governorship race on the
platform of APGA to ensure continuity of governance in Anambra State,
after Governor Peter Obi must have left office.
" There is an overwhelming demand by our people, by the people of
Anambra for me to remain engaged in the political process.
"There is an overwhelming demand byAnambra people that I should run
for the office of governor for continuity and transformation. We need
to consolidate on the gains of the eight years that Obi ruled the
state," he said.
He said when he joined the PDP to contest the February 2010
governorship election, people, especially his friends, told him he
was the best candidate but was in the wrong party.
He added:m "So, while I was consulting, I was told to join a good
party and today, I have joined that good party, APGA.
" I am not joining APGA simply as a vehicle to contest the
governorship but because I want to breathe it and drink it.
"I believe in the essence, aim and objective of the party. I have come
to the conclusion that APGA is the only party that will move Nigeria
to the next level. APGA in its constitution, agrees with the Beijing
Declaration of an affirmation for women, other parties parrot it ".
Soludo said his joining the race was not a do or die affair, saying "I
can only offer myself to the members of APGA tosay that I am willing
to contest the election but the final decision is for the party."