 Great to have you join us once again on the breakfast on plus TV Africa first major conversation for today is in Annambara state The independent National Electoral Commission, Inaq has declared a professor Chukumar soludo from a CBN governor The winner of the Annambara state governorship elections. Of course, he came first You know second to the rather followed by the PPP candidate Valentine was Igbo And of course the APC candidate and you bar finishing third There's of course some you know little details here and there as to the elections and how they eventually the elections fared Seen the number of voters that eventually have declared or determined the winner of that election You know just barely a little above 200,000 votes In a state that had about 2.5 million registered voters and extra details here and that I were going to be talking about We're speaking this morning with the director Igbo leadership development foundation. Dr. Law Meffo. Good morning, Dr. Meffo Thank you, my brother. Thank you for hosting me. Thanks for joining us. All right, so let's get your reactions First of all, there was a little bit of disappointment with the time that it eventually took before Chukumar soludo was eventually was then declared winner The idea of supplementary elections, you know the idea that he had became, you know, you know, almost a full You know state and I like you know how to struggle with you know Elections in just wonderful government area and some of those extra thing make sure details here and there. What are your thoughts? I think that only swell that ends well and Despite the hordes that All the actors had to really skate get to this point. They were able to finish and Generally, generally the election could be better, but if you really Circumstances that led up to it You cannot but I agree that this is about the best we can pull off So much insecurity and Even in a here a lot you you see the issue of insecurity also cropped up. Yes, it is suddenly unexpectedly Because as many as the six communities, you know could not vote because I make could not mobilize to those places because of his security but generally They Was a Was a was was a fair game. It was fair the biometric Voter identification Machine didn't work well Except yesterday At the hella it worked. Well, maybe they use the experience of Saturday to be able to correct them That of a hella and then the report will cut was that The beavers worked fairly well in a hella, but it was a big factor in Saturday election and A very big factor. You see if you look at the number that eventually Portage a little over 200,000 like you said it's One of the major factors attributable though It should be the the by electric Machine that it a function as expected Many say voter apathy. I don't share that a position I believe enough and a brilliant skin out bottom many of them Couldn't they be captured under Saturday to we have some places that elections were cancelled. So the Figures cannot Reflect in the final figures that you just a wheeled out. So I think that all consider we should them be thankful to an abradance for their courage to come out and It really Conduct themselves in an exemplary manner. We have to thank any security operatives. They were fairly professional We have to even a time get the president of Nigeria who did not interfere In the electoral process. It's not Strange to find that the federal a mind interfering is the collection So we didn't see that play out The in an abrac so we must turn You know call graduate and the president and the federal government and of course, I next My apologies for stepping in here I just want you to clarify on why the federal government needs to be congratulated for not influencing the elections with federal might you see you see Reports of past elections have implicated federal agencies in interference in state elections and You you will see even the security agencies would be partisan in favor of Candidate or a political party It's not my opinion these reports of INEC and it's there for journalists and others who are interested to look at It but I am saying that we didn't see a much of that at that election. So it's what's congratulating You know, so for me, it's fair and square. I listen to the APC state Agents Giving reasons why he wouldn't assign the results sheet or like other political parties that did Chibu Zobiyako was saying that they didn't Agree with the process and the outcome that they needed to go to the drawing board and decide what to do I think they should congratulate the professor The problems they identified We are not suffered by the candidate alone Everybody suffered it and I believe that Nobody should try to diminish the Value the value and the essence of this victory is victory for democracy. I believe that I'm a brah people choose so don't there is no doubt about that They choose him because if you check it, you look at it out of 21 local government areas He outrightly won in 19. I think that is quite overwhelming He was required by law to win in 14 But he went almost to the go hog. I'm there in any two local governments. We are Where he didn't win outrightly he came second very close second If you check or well, for example, we are where the PDP won He came this is less than a two three hundred four separate From the PDP. So I believe he won and I've got chosen. He has been a veteran he is a formidable personality and Anubra people actually choose Personality not party. I don't think there is so much for abgab in a ruling party in a number of states. I think the personality of some of the play the more or greater rule and The two older rivals APC for example You know the party the the selection process of their of their flag there was really tempted and If you see the problem of the margins of fame of And you back you will see why he had this kind of outcome because for example He the I next said there was no primaries party leaders in Anambra offer the AP APC Divine said that there was no primaries It's a little crazy. Okay, for example, this is the foremost a political office order Over the APC Divine in Anambra. He said there was no primaries But the party went on ahead to say that there was primaries and the primaries 230,000 members voted for Andy to become their flag there So where were these people in the final election? If indeed 230,000 party members choosing even if a That number came out to vote for him in the final election Elect today so something is wrong about the process and the same thing can be said about the emergence of a Valentine was a book and they all tempted and even that of a Sudo cannot be said to be perfect also But he said personality was able to really rob us from all the sense and the Hills that they've come Against him to make him not to do well in this election But he was able to overshadow all that and the much victorious I think we should all work together like the YPP a candidate city to If I knew Bob has already congratulated him or indicated that he would congratulate him I expect him I expect the and you bar and Valors able to do exactly the same. You know that this this election does not time Require anybody going to try to know wasting more money and all that hoping to Have a dramatic Obtaining of the outcome as up on the name. I don't think in the circumstances exist that You know, they so I am appealing to all concerns to They try and do something for the interest of peace so that the soludo and his team would settle down quickly to the task of a transforming the state into the Dubai of Africa like he promised I think I think his money face to his fight interest and he should be giving all the cooperation he needs to pull off that a stones and He is capable of doing that. He is a man of vision and a risk taker Let's also, you know, we've actually gotten, you know some of the points that you have raised as regards, you know, the Easy of Soludo and him emerging as the winner of the unambushed Governorship elections now. Let's also look at the conduct of you know, I mean the supplementary elections. Yes, they of course There were a lot of anticipation. However, it turned out the way it turned out and we do have a winner but we still have pockets of Issues like I neck not showing up on time with the materials and I mean This is not the first time conducting an elections one would think that you know, we've Just having that local government here. La it things would actually be different and then we constantly have I neck You know showing up late with this materials and time to start and all of these issues of beavers not working I remember that you are the one who also said yes They were going to send the beavers that worked in the previous election that was on the 6th, you know To the supplementary election and so we would not have any of these hiccups But we constantly see that I neck over time with the conduct of election is such a big deal What are your thoughts on that and what will be the way forward? I think I think I make a can do better I totally agree with you. I make can do better. They didn't Test run the beavers a merchants and he should clearly especially on Saturday And I think they need to really return to the trucking board I wouldn't they recommend that they have to get in Machine he has worked well in some places Like I also observed I think on your platform yesterday that my research Showed that the beavers machine may drive much better where you have for G network and They need to find out, you know across the country because two to twenty twenty three is here already And if you really have to rely on that same on that same machine Secondary and then what happened in Annambra repeats itself. I think in The presentation election particularly may be mad by it So they need to find out which network really works for this across the country and deploy appropriate And I also think that It's not this providers. They are signals are not Equal or equally strong in a state in Annambra, for example Where I come from, you know in some parts of Annambra empty any strong in some places Is that tell some places is good? No, you know and so on and so far so all these issues, you know, we have to play rules, you know in a Determining the efficiency of the beavers machine. That's it I think there is that I need to return to the drawing board and there is this tattiness that you find on the part of I think and I think it has to do with them You know having to rely on the adrock staff Of course, they cannot possibly employ all the staff they need for elections So the issue of adrock staff, we still have to play But I think they can be better recruited better trained better deployed because in Annambra We also that a you know Even within the state capital where they are super Ineco officials were still very late in so many places, you know, as late as 10 a.m. 11 in some places at noon, you know was Where they arrived strange. So you can't understand what actually happened in such a sense You cannot say it is distance. You cannot say it is rough terrain. It's Just you know Others cause property partners on the path of I make There is always room for improvement and again Anambram may not be a good example to really judge what will happen because then there was so much fear So a lot of the ad hoc staff were actually reluctant All right So do you think it happened in the hell idea yesterday because they Yeah, you said Go ahead with your phone. I can hear you definitely catch up. Go ahead. Yes. I say I say that they I say the Security the security the threat to the election in the build-up You know actually accounted for so many things including the semen of the gladness of the ionic because For example, they were not able to really test wrong the people's machines, you know before Deploying on the election day. Yeah, although I've been some mock trials, which I am not sure actually took place they would have noticed the lapses in terms of G network in terms of Service providers strengths and the attorney penetrations, you know in the various parts of the state obviously These things were not done and I believe it should be as a result of the fear the Security they needed to be certain over their own security before they can we scan it such things So he robbed off what I'm saying is it Even we are able to de-escalate the insecurity in the country as Happened in nanobrack. I next should be able to be better prepared and we'll be able to deploy You know manpower in good time without fear or favor But they where they where the ad hoc start and not exactly just a breaker pull out You can query the person You know the individual has volunteer and if there is reason to believe that he or she is not safe He can pull out from the process Even the person is your staff you can query even sex as a punitive measure Well, how do you punish an ad hoc staff who volunteer to help you for the very little steeper, you know, so and like I said you and I know that I net cannot employ All the can'ts they need so they must rely on Ad hoc staff it was is on all of us then to ensure that the ad hoc staff don't feel threatened They feel free that they can work, you know, they don't have to be molested in some places You see them beating up even killed, you know, it's a it's sad But that's this situation in the country. So I believe him He wasn't a whiter who in the Anambra It can be better in I know they are going to exist and one more state before 2023. All right, I want you to now speak on moving forward Like you've said, you don't think that there's any need for any You know lawsuits or any, you know body challenge in the outcome of the elections I want you to speak on Soludo as governor of Anambra You you know made a joke earlier about something that he had said to turn in Anambra to Dubai Which of course, you know, it's one of the reasons I've seen a few people say, you know, you know It scared them actually when they saw when they heard that Because it sounded just like every other campaign promise, you know, that eventually fails But what do you think the challenge is ahead for Chukumah Soludo and what can he really achieve with Anambra looking at his profile and You know, you know the possibilities that exist in Anambra Anambra is a Very major state in Nigeria. It's an economic hub and It has also Some technological base, you know, the people are inclined to technology and commerce And I believe that these two factors Should fund the leverage to whatever Professor Soludo was to do As far back as 2010 when Soludo took the first shot at Covernorship of Anambra State, I was around I wasn't that team actually and We were able to analyze his manifesto and Dr. Poo's The manifesto the promises against the possibilities, you know On ground and then we believe that we did with courage with A global outreach with cooperation of an embryos that much of his manifesto You know was a realizable and the same manifesto is what he moved upon and Brought forward and he believes that not that anabra can be transformed and I think anabra can be transferred and What he has to do is to is to improve on the You know the process that will turn this state into a smart city You know where you have we you know what I mean by it's actually its capacity is driven by by by internet connectivity in E-commerce e-government Edis and either it is all possible. I tell you because I recall Where soon though was talking about banking consolidation from a Part three five billion to 25 billion Naira in Nigeria nobody believed it was possible when it was the central bank But he pulled it off and so much of what he has said is his manifesto on Sunday and I'm right is doable Anabra has a The test export in terms of them what you may call a migrants, you know People moving from Nigerian to outside I believe a number anabra contribute said perhaps the most you know of their quality Educated their migration of a Nigerians to all parts of the world That means that the manpower he would require to execute his vision is there You know in anabra and in the in the diaspora the diaspora Community of anabras is quite rich. They cut across all professionals engineering medicine Education, you know a strong money everything. There's no aspect of human endeavor We don't find a very top notch that is an embryo, you know here and there So I believe that all he needs to do is to provide leadership. He has to be famed He has to be fair. He has to remain visionary. I see I see so you don't you know being able to surpass the records of People be if you ask me people be was quite astute He will be was very strong in security in education and this and that so you don't should be able to do better I actually in vision. I actually in vision for an ambrose, you know Mike Michael Did for the old Eastern region? If you check records peer review showed that the old Eastern region in the first Republic Was the fastest growing economy in Africa if not in the world on the Mike It's born out of vision. It's born out of fair, you know aspects of the vision leadership commitment and really in staying the course and It's in a more of governance more of development of politics What has happened to most the governors in a in a Nigerian, especially the sadness is that they have run government or settlement Where politicians descend on the con on the coffers and because you want peace you you use the government resources to settle them It is not great It didn't happen under under PTOB. I don't see it happening under Soludo If you're not digging anything to the table and you hope and wish that Soludo will open the covers to settle you I'm sorry. You may have to you know, really, uh, think again So I believe the I believe that Transformation of Anambra under Soludo is possible as transformation of the parking sector world possible under him He has a lot of work to do obviously A lot of it on on Isha and Okan and Nehwi, you know, that I've always been mentioned, you know as as you know, really, really, you know great avenues for revenue generation I believe that of course those are also parts of the things that you know, he's mentioned in his manifesto that he He's going to invest in and Yes, you know, it might sound interesting to talk about a smart city But the very basic, you know, you know requirements for a states to to be, you know, formidable Need to be there also and you know, we're not going to be helping the gun and trying to make it a smart city when people can't eat When there's no security, there's no roads and basic infrastructure when there's no health care And so there's a lot of work that needs to be done And you know, I'm guessing that people have an amra. I hope that he doesn't disappoint Um, you know, um, will you also expect, you know, that this will change Or he will be able to change the narrative of governance in the southeast Seeing the criticism that the five southeastern governors have had in the last long while, especially from the ipob Will he be able to be different? You see, um I think So look, bro has sympathy for the biafra struggle. Don't forget. He was um, one of the first Evil leaders to visit namdekano in a kujeprisi. I was in that team And um, he Let the team that addressed the first award a press conference that he sort of ignited the political process that eventually led to The bill of namdekano the first time So, uh, I believe that he understands the biafra struggle. I believe that He would be able to Help in putting a things in place that would de-escalate the biafra agitation for separatism So ludo is a nationalist He wouldn't want a sovereign biafra, but he certainly wants the rights of And the rights of every nigerian as a matter of fact He would want restoration of federalism He would want nigeria to return to full federal system So that all the regions of the country would have very political space the economy space to be able to Devilude themselves and their short your own happiness That's just the soludo. I know and uh, I do think that He would be able to change the narrative Um, he he is certainly going to be once stronger governor, uh east of the niger There is no doubt about that. He has a pedigree If it doesn't become then it will become an aberration It will no longer be him that we have always known and want him to be courageous and want him to be humane And know him to be fair and fair. He's not somebody you're going to run Russia so that and he has the reach he can he can penetrate the federal government He has worked there. He's in where is the economic team? So you can be sure that Uh, he you you really run a friendly government a government that can attract enough to To an umbrella state. He is also very strong in the international community is consultant to You know, IMF World Bank over 20 international organizations Many of the monetary in order was he should be able to Access the funds he needs to He developed in the state and not necessarily As moons, but even if a looms come you can be sure he is an economist and they would deploy To the public's clothes for which they were actually insecure Hey, you know, one thing I know is that there will be waste under him. He isn't going to happen. There can be waste You work to him whatever you call yours under his leadership That's the kind of person you get and he believes in merit He is going to deploy merits. You know, he has to look for the best hands anabra can offer So I believe that with his with his experience his exposure. He's um, he's a Capacity to penetrate both the national and the international communities He should be able to connect anabra totally to the center and to the world All right, but let's also look at quickly as we begin to coast us down for the want of time He's been a member of the economic advisory council of mr. President Some persons have queried this and saying the Nigerian economy is not faring so well I mean if you look at, you know, our debt profile The rate of inflation and you know, the standard of living of the people some persons have queried that and what impacts, you know He can have because being part of the presidential team economic advisory team We should see the economy tilting towards a good direction. So can you share your thoughts on that? If you want you see, um, two things As an advisor, you can only advise and the person being advised Can take or leave that's the way it is You know, he advised, uh, over central to remember his needs a document Uh, uh, which, uh, over central hinged the economic recovery program Nigerian economy did fantastically well on the over central It was a part of that team In fact, it was at the economic advisor at the point But is he under buhari? He's He's constrained number one. He is not the chairman of that team. He is placed under his academic inferior He is placed under his professional inferior. So, you know, leadership is everything You know, even if so do where the head of the buhari's economic team And buhari would take so those advice, you know for economic recovery There is no doubt that Nigerian economy boy as he did on the over central who listen to soludo You know, so it's not his fault He hasn't run short of ideas Even the same needs documents can still be replicated in this administration. All right, so dr. Maffol would have to uh, End the conversation here Thank you. I guess congratulations to trick muscle ludo and of course, uh, would love to bring you in as quickly as possible again And, uh, you know, many updates concerning the anambra state. Thank you very much. Thanks. Thank you. Have a nice day You too And uh, from anambra way back here in lager, so we're going to be talking about rescue efforts, section rescue We're actually going to be focusing on this a little bit more Uh, you know in the next couple of days, uh, the ikoi building collapses our next focus and we'll be back after this short break