By Ovat Abeng
No few than 300 Tricycle operators under the umbrella of Anambra Keke Drivers Forum (AKDF), has declared support for governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s reelection bid, come 2025 governorship election in the state.
They said they are backing the governor to enable him complete the ongoing road construction projects across the 21 local government area of the State.
Speaking to journalists shortly after embarking on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing road projects in Awka, the Public Relations Officer of the forum, Amos Nweke said although they had not received any physical cash from the governor, they had saved so much money from frequent visits to mechanic workshop.
He said, “We want to march round the capital city and see for ourselves the massive road constructions being carried out by Soludo across the state.
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“During his campaign, the governor promised us he would transform Anambra to African Dubai. We’re very happy he’s keeping to his promise and we call on him to continue.
“With these massive road construction across the state, we believe that other promises, including eradication of touts in the state is a sure bet.
“Although Soludo did not give us any money to carry out this rally, but if I say he has given us money, I won’t be lying because of the money he has saved for us.
“Before he came in, we’ve been paying through our nose in the hands of the touts and unions. We also visit the mechanic regularly because of bad roads.
“But as soon as he came, he eliminated those monies. Before now, I used to visit mechanic every week. But the story has changed. The last time I visited mechanic was in January. I only visit to change oil.
“Even though some mechanic are ignorantly boasting that the reason we’ve not been frequenting their workshops is because of their expertise. But we know it’s because of the good roads.
“I ply from St. Faith to Agulu Awka. Before now, especially during the rainy season, we usually struggle with flood. But now, the road is expressway.
Another member, Peter Umemadufo described Soludo as a man of his words and exceptionally different from his predecessors.
“Honestly, the governor has done well. During his campaign, he promised to declare state of emergency on Anambra roads. That promise he’s keeping.
“We will mobilized to ensure that he is reelected in the 2025 governorship election in the state
“I’m personally happy with him. Soludo has no competitor as long as 2025 election in the state is concerned. We’re telling our people to get their PVC ready.
“The devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know. What he’s done in less than two years, I don’t any other governor before him have done that. Over 400km road across local government areas of the state.”
Coordinator of the group, Comrade Osita Obi said the rally had no political coloration.
He said, “The essence of the road show being carried out by over 300 Keke drivers is to see what the governor is doing, where the tax they’re paying are deployed to.
“We praise the governor where he’s doing well and ask him to continue. We also want more Keke drivers to come into government tax rate so government will have more money to embark on more roads.
“This exercise is not politically motivated. I’m not swayed by any political party, but totally dependent. I praise what is good and criticize what is bad.
“This is my brain child. I’m the sponsor, originator, financier and facilitator. Go and check my pedigree. I started this project over 40 years ago.”