Anambra guber: I lost to superior financial firepower – Chidoka

By Patrick Andrew

Abuja

The United Progressive Party (UPP) governorship candidate, Osita Chidoka, has conceded defeat in Saturday’s Anambra governorship election, but insisted that he lost to the superior financial firepower of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), governor Willie Obiano.
The Minister of Aviation in a statement he issued yesterday accepted the results of Saturday’s election noting however that he refused to pay for votes as demanded by electorates who doubted that politicians would truly represent their interest.
“When by Thursday a large percentage of our supporters insisted that they will not vote unless we paid, I insisted we will not pay for votes. The decision not to pay ended our good run. We accept the voters’ decision.
“We also heard our people, by their turnout and transactional approach, as they took sides with our Party’s considered view that the issue of justice, equity and fairness should be canvassed within Nigeria.
“In all, we hold our heads high; high because we did not lose the poll due to paucity of ideas or lack of “structure”. We lost to superior financial firepower. As Democrats, we concede to the voters’ choices. The true hallmark of democracy is the respect for the voice of the ballot as that of the majority”, the statement said noting however that: “but hoped the people have not mortgaged the future of the state by selling their votes to the highest bidder”.
The UPP candidate said he was encouraged by the response of the electorate who readily connected with its campaign promises because the message touched their hearts and represented fresh approach to people-oriented campaign in Anambra State.
“But from the ballots, we heard the voice of our people. We heard it loud and clear. On November 18 our people announced strongly their rejection of politicians. They traded their votes because they doubted we would truly represent their interest. While our message resonated with the people they doubted that the political class cared about them. They voted for the highest bidder”.
According to him, though the people opted to vote for the highest bidder, he said as democrat he conceded defeat in their interest of democracy.
“We hold our heads high; high because we did not lose the poll due to paucity of ideas or lack of “structure”. We lost to superior financial firepower. As Democrats, we concede to the voters’ choices. The true hallmark of democracy is the respect for the voice of the ballot as that of the majority.

 

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