The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the just-concluded 2025 Anambra governorship election, Jude Ezenwafor, has expressed his willingness to collaborate with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo in the collective interest of the state.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Ezenwafor said his relationship with the governor had always been cordial, describing Soludo as both a friend and a capable leader.
“I can assist him. I’ve assisted him before; he’s my friend. I was the one who encouraged him to get involved in Anambra politics,” Ezenwafor said.
“When I served as Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano, I convinced Soludo to contest. He came on board and performed well. Nobody is perfect, but he’s done well for the state.”
Despite ongoing criticisms of Soludo’s administration, particularly regarding insecurity in the state, the PDP candidate commended the governor’s efforts, noting that his team has been “proactive and committed.”
Ezenwafor advised the governor to adopt a more inclusive leadership style to strengthen peace and unity in the state.
“Governor Soludo and his security team are trying. We have competent officers in charge, but what they need is better equipment,” he said.
“If he continues on this path and ensures inclusivity, Anambra will become safer and more prosperous. I’ve already called to congratulate him, but if things go wrong, I will speak out.”
On Vote-Buying Allegations
Addressing reports of vote-buying during the election, Ezenwafor dismissed the claims as exaggerated, insisting that several political parties were guilty of the act.
“Those saying that are entitled to their opinion,” he remarked. “I will, however, challenge in court whether vote-buying is not another form of election rigging. Nearly five political parties were involved, but I wasn’t part of it. Even some of my party agents were hijacked by the state executives to work for another party.”
He maintained that he accepted the outcome of the election in good faith, stressing that Anambra voters had made their choice and that Governor Soludo should be allowed to complete his tenure.
“I Was Not a Placeholder”
Responding to insinuations that he was merely a placeholder candidate, Ezenwafor dismissed the allegations as baseless.
“Nobody spends over ₦80 million on a party ticket just to serve as a figurehead. Am I stupid?” he said. “I genuinely intended to contest. I had my ‘Organic Millionaires Club’—100 supporters who each pledged 10 votes. I was targeting over 326,000 votes before things went wrong.”
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Ezenwafor also alleged that he survived an assassination attempt during the campaign period.
“There was an attempt on my life, and I was hospitalised for almost three months,” he revealed. “When I joined the race, the PDP was in a comatose state, and I wanted to revive it. But the experience opened my eyes to how deep political betrayals can go.”
Despite the setbacks, the PDP candidate maintained that he harbours no bitterness and remains focused on contributing to the progress of Anambra State.
“I’m not desperate, and I have no regrets,” Ezenwafor concluded. “Anambra comes first. I will continue to support any effort that moves our state forward.”
