Willie Obiano, governor of Anambra, has endorsed former central bank governor Chukwuma Soludo, as the best person to succeed him as governor of the state.

Mr Obiano made the statement at the 2021 New Yam Festival of Isuofia Community in Aguata Local Government Area, held at Isuofia Civic Center on Saturday.

Mr Soludo is the governorship standard bearer of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), the party that has ruled Anambra for the past 16 years.

The governor described Mr Soludo as having the intellectual capacity, local and international contacts and policies and programme ideas that would benefit the people of Anambra if elected as the next governor of the state.

In response to Mr Obiano’s endorsement, Mr Soludo promised not to fail him, and called on members of the community to vote him in as governor.

“My promise is that I will not fail you and the state, but all my appeal today is that everybody must support this governorship project by ensuring that we get our INEC voters cards,” he said.

Mr Soludo was crowned with the chieftaincy title of “Dike Udo Isuofia” (Strong Man of Peace in Isuofia) by the traditional rulers of the six communities of Isuofia clan.

Earlier in a welcome address, Jude Okeke, the President General of Isuofia People’s Assembly, said the community used this year’s new Yam Festival to bestow honour on Mr Soludo for his peacebuilding roles in resolving crises concerning the town.