Now That the Battle Is Over

The Anambra governorship election has come and gone, and the people have spoken. Governor Chukwuma Soludo has secured a second term in office, an achievement that deserves acknowledgment. Winning a second term is never an easy feat, and it reflects, in part, the trust and confidence of a segment of Ndi Anambra who believe he still has more to offer. For that, congratulations are in order. But beyond the celebrations and victory laps, this is the time for sober reflection a time to serve better, lead better, and unite Anambra like never before.

The truth is that Soludo’s first term, though filled with promises and moments of progress, left many yearning for more. While his intentions for reforms in education, road infrastructure, and digital transformation were commendable, the execution often fell short of expectations. Many communities still struggle with poor roads, insecurity, and lack of visible government presence. Now that the campaign dust has settled, it’s time for real governance the kind that touches lives directly and leaves a lasting mark beyond rhetoric and statistics.

As Soludo steps into this second chapter, he must realize that leadership requires humility as much as it requires intelligence. His brilliance is unquestionable, but governance is not an academic contest; it is a people’s project. He must learn to respect those who came before him and those who opposed him at the polls. Disparaging remarks about predecessors and political opponents do not build bridges but burn them. True leadership is seen in how magnanimous one becomes in victory, not in how loudly one boasts about it.

Anambra needs a unifying leader, not a divisive one. The election is over; the partisan banners should now come down. Every community whether they voted for him or not deserves to feel the presence of government. Every Anambra citizen pays tax, and those taxes are not partisan. They are collective contributions to the growth of our state, and they must be used to develop every part of it. Governance that favours only supporters is short-sighted, governance that serves everyone is enduring.

Soludo now has the opportunity to rise above politics and become a statesman who governs with empathy, balance, and vision. He must surround himself not with praise-singers but with thinkers, builders, and problem-solvers who can help him deliver the kind of transformation he promised. Anambra’s youth are hungry for opportunity, its traders need better infrastructure, and its rural dwellers need inclusion. These are the real issues that should define his second term.

In the end, history will not remember how fiercely an election was fought but how wisely power was used afterward. Soludo has won again now he must lead again, and this time, lead better. This second term should be about healing wounds, building consensus, and proving that his vision for Anambra is not just a slogan but a mission fulfilled.

The campaign is over; the work has just begun.

Ejike Agbata writes from Nri,

Anaocha LGA,

Anambra State