Anambra 2025: Traders shut down markets to endorse Governor Soludo

By Alphonsus Nweze, Onitsha

Traders from 33 major markets in Anambra State have shut down their shops to endorse the incumbent Governor of the State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo for November 8, 2025 Governorship election.
The traders who endorsed the Governor under the aegis of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, (ASMATA) for second tenure also presented him with N10million as logistics support during his campaign.
Speaking during the endorsement exercise held at Justice Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha,the ASMATA President General (PG), Chief Humphrey Anuna, said that the endorsement of the governor became necessary given his numerous achievements in the state.
He said in his address: “We, traders in the state have benefited 85 per cent of the dividends of democracy Soludo provided in the state. Soludo is not contesting with anybody. Insecurity in the state has reduced. We are behind him come November 8, for his second tenure re-election”
He continued: “His achievements in the state are insurmountable and that is why we resolved to set aside today for his endorsement and he is as usual going to score 21/21. The recent by-election for Anambra South Senatorial District and Onitsha North 1 Constituency in which APGA won the two seats with land slide victory is just a tip of the Iceberg of what will happen come November 8,2025 governorship election”.
In his speech on behalf of the patrons and PG of Ogidi Building Materials International market, Chief Jude Nwankwo, stated that the gathering of all the traders was to endorse and celebrate the good leadership of the governor.
“Before now the state was littered with mountains of refuse from Bridge head market to Amansea.Touts took over the state, extorting, assaulting and maiming residents of the state. Insecurity caused People to flee the state. I was living in Asaba but now because Soludo has restored security, I have come back. Homeland security is the best thing that has happened to this state.
“So today we, traders have resolved to endorse you, Soludo. Traders will suffer if you are not re-elected. Eighty per cent of the residents of this state are traders. The governor has done well on agriculture. He has distributed seedlings which we will soon start to harvest,” he explained.
Governor Soludo in his response thanked the traders for endorsing him for second tenure, adding that he is in partnership with the traders to move the state forward.
He recalled that prior to his assumption in office the entire state was filled with refuse and touts took over the state.
“Today the Ochanja round about that was a mountain of refuse has been installed with water fountain and touts sacked from the state. What you have now is remnants of the sacked touts but the SASA, (Ndi Akodo) are going after them” he said.
The Governor continued: “We have not borrowed any Kobo and all these things we are doing need money. So we are going to harmonize and have a centralized means of collecting revenue to stop multiple taxation/levy. In a month’s time we will be paying directly to state government and no more through market leaders/chairmen. All manners of payment will stop and payment made direct to state government and anybody asking you for a cash payment is a thief”.
He expressed determination to take the coming Governorship election with all the seriousness it deserves.
“We will not take the November 8 governorship election for granted even if we are not contesting with anybody. Unless for those who claim to have it written. I also commend you for the N10million logistics support for the election” he stated