Students from various tertiary institutions in Anambra State have issued a 30-day ultimatum to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, urging him to publicly declare his intention to seek re-election in the upcoming November 8 governorship election.
Addressing a press conference in Awka, Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Council in Anambra, Okoye Matthew Okpala, emphasized that while the governor’s policies and achievements strongly indicate an interest in a second term, students want an official announcement without further delay.
According to Okpala, Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidents from all tertiary institutions in the state unanimously endorsed the ultimatum, warning that failure to respond within 30 days would trigger a mass protest in the state capital.
“We, the students, previously demanded at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University that Governor Soludo declare his intention to contest for re-election. We sent the message, but we have not heard from him,” Okpala stated.
Despite mounting calls for a declaration, Okpala noted that the governor has remained focused on governance, implementing policies such as road construction, free education and antenatal services, youth empowerment through skill acquisition programs, and infrastructure upgrades across the state.
“He is not even talking about a second term, and that is why we are giving him 30 days to declare his interest. If he fails to do so, all Anambra students will protest in Awka and shut down the state capital,” Okpala warned.
In an unprecedented show of support, Okpala revealed that students are prepared to financially back Soludo’s re-election bid by contributing funds to purchase his nomination form.
“We have agreed to contribute between N500 and N1,000 each. With over 146,000 students participating, we will raise over N100 million, which is enough to cover the cost of his nomination form,” he disclosed.
Highlighting Soludo’s accomplishments, Okpala described him as the best governor in Anambra’s history, citing key achievements such as:
Construction of over 500 kilometers of roads in three years
Employment of 5,000 teachers and 2,500 medical staff
Establishment of five new General Hospitals
Provision of free Wi-Fi for tertiary institutions
Approval of student loans
Launch of the Agunechemba Security Outfit, which has significantly reduced crime in the state
“Governor Soludo has transformed Anambra in ways we never imagined. We cannot afford to lose him because we may never see a leader like him again,” Okpala stated.
With the 30-day countdown underway, all eyes are now on Governor Soludo to see if he will heed the students’ call and formally announce his re-election bid.
Comments