By Ifeanyi Chijioke
(Congratulations to the entire Soludo team, both the remarkable and unremarkable, the reelection victory was achieved by the team and not solely the effort of one person)
Governor Chukwuma Soludo is back for another four years. Prior to the election, I said he is on track to making a name for himself.
Mr Peter Obi reignited the fire between him and Soludo after casting his vote, saying that he is not in same league with the candidates. We all know he was addressing Soludo, whom he is in strategic competition for Igbo presidency.
Soludo is solidly rooted and making giant strides, and by the time the result came out, it was clear he has no competition.
Taking a keen loot into Soludo’s journey to confirming his second tenure, one local government campaign manager caught my attention, Hon. Mimiy Azikiwe.
Even though Soludo’s performance, character and platform made the job easier for his campaign, complacency has proven in history to be dangerous.
Some APGA faithfuls were boasting before the election that Anambra is APGA state. Soludo’s power of incumbency will win him the election. Arthur Eze supported his reelection. He held meeting with Tinubu and like narratives, but what they didn’t know was hard work is needed to complement everything Soludo had.
We saw how complacency led to the demise of PDP. A victor must continue to see himself as a competitor to be able to stay a victor. Any time one rests on his laurels, he loses his spot.
It was always clear that the people must be mobilised to come out and vote. Even if votes would be bought, the opposition had that capacity, so it would boil down to convincing power.
When Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe was social media platforms and news platforms speaking and convincing voters to vote for Soludo, she appealed to electorates in all the local governments of the state, and not only Onitsha North.
She knew maximum effort was needed to ensure victory, and she forgot the advantages Soludo had, believing it was an equal playing ground, and that mentality made sure unimaginable landslide victory was achieved.
She stayed focused, wrote different pieces about Soludo. She didn’t rode on high horse like other honorable members, rather, she was down to earth and writing, speaking and promoting like ordinary party member. She worked assiduously like Soludo’s chance rested on spirited campaign.
I read a piece she wrote about how Soludo barely sleeps to make sure everything works out fine for Anambra State, I think that was one thing she has learned from her “Oga”. She didn’t sleep until Soludo’s reelection was confirmed by INEC.
In Hon. Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe, I saw a woman blended in loyalty and reciprocate. I saw a woman who is ready to give back in ten folds any favor, vote or support given to her.
During the build to the governorship election, I had a brief discussion with her, and to my greatest surprise, I saw the same emotion, aura and unsettling state she was in during her House of Assembly election build up.
She said everything about her must wait until her “Oga” secures his reelection bid. No space for her personal life or business, she was just so focused on Soludo’s reelection. Quite obsessed to making sure her “Oga” is successful.
I took notice of this because I am observant. I always want to study people I believe in and assess them properly to avoid selling fraud to the people. Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe always pass the test with extinction.
During her House of Assembly election, she got the support she needed from the governor, and I saw her tireless push in support of Soludo as symbol of loyalty and commitment to giving back and forging ironclad alliance for a better future.
It’s always easy to have a political ally, but loyalty and remarkable commitment in a political ally is not everyday gift.
Hon. Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe has a political future and one thing is clear, she is an asset to her political allies and a character worthy of synergising with.
She will always give back to those who give her, because true colour of a man is shown in his character.
Mimiy will give back to the people of Onitsha North who voted for her. She would give back to those who support her financially. She would give back when given to, and her obsession with Soludo’s reelection is evidence of that fact.
She would make a remarkable political career where dividend of democracy will reach her people who entrusted her with position of political representation.
The people of Onitsha North can boast of having a shinning star, and her journey is just starting. The future is bright and the character is unique.
Congratulations to Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe for the reelection of her “Oga”. Now, she can take a breath of relief and rest, because she fought tirelessly like it was her own election.
Congratulations to the entire Soludo team, both the remarkable and unremarkable, the reelection victory was achieved by the team and not to solely the effort of one person.
