By Karen James
Anambra State took a historic step forward this week as Governor Chukwuma Soludo presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected mayors and deputy mayors across the state’s 21 local government areas. In a significant and extempore speech, Governor Soludo congratulated the newly elected leaders on their victories and urged them to embrace the shift from politics to governance.
Addressing the audience at the ceremony, Governor Soludo said, “Anambra people spoke last Saturday, and you were all duly elected. You are the first set of leaders to hold the titles of Chairman and Deputy Chairman, but under our administration, you will also be known as Mayors and Deputy Mayors.” He emphasised that this marked the first time these offices would officially be designated with those titles, underscoring the importance of their new roles.
The governor commended the leaders for being elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), noting that the people had reposed immense confidence in them. He charged the mayors and deputy mayors with the task of fulfilling their oaths of allegiance and office, which they had taken earlier in the ceremony. “You have now transited from the realm of politics to governance. You have a duty to the people in your respective local governments,” he reminded them.
Soludo expressed particular pride in the gender balance achieved in the composition of deputy mayors, noting that the inclusion of women in these key leadership positions was a crucial step toward inclusive governance. “Each deputy is not just there to occupy an office but to actively participate in the day-to-day governance of their respective local governments,” Soludo explained. He urged both mayors and deputies to work seamlessly together to bring effective governance to the grassroots level.
In his concluding remarks, Governor Soludo urged the new leaders to focus on collaboration between the state and local governments to achieve the overarching goal of ensuring the security and welfare of Anambra’s citizens. “Welcome to ‘Project Anambra,’” he said, signalling the start of a new chapter for local governance in the state. He encouraged the mayors and their deputies to fulfil the mandates given to them by the people, stating, “The clock starts ticking from now. Show us what you’ve got.”
Governor Soludo’s speech set a clear tone of responsibility and urgency for the newly sworn-in leaders as they embark on their tenure, with a firm reminder that the people of Anambra are counting on them to deliver.