Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the governorship election in Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has explained why he decided to dabble into politics in spite of the advice of his friends and other concerned stakeholders, saying he has a desire to correct the many ills bedeviling Anambra State.

In the same vein, Prof. Soludo's wife Nonye said she will influence Anambra State to enact a law that would make it possible for government to provide welfare services to widows and orphans if her husband is voted into office in February next year.

Addressing PDP members from Aguata Local Government Area in Isuofia his country home Soludo who spoke for over two hours in his native Igbo language said he would never live happily while his people suffer in the midst of plenty.

"Many people have asked me why I ventured into politics of Anambra State instead of going abroad with my family to have rest and enjoy myself after my service as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and I tell them that I cannot go and enjoy myself when my home state is on fire. That I cannot go and enjoy myself when our youths are roaming the streets without jobs and when infrastructures have totally collapsed."

He continued "How can I go and enjoy myself when lives and property of my people are no longer safe because of violence, armed robbery and kidnap. Go to Onitsha today, people are leaving the market for Asaba and other towns because life is not safe there any longer.

That is why I said that I will come so that we change the situation and bring good governance, prosperity and security of lives and property of our people; and I am determined to pursue that goal believing that with God the suffering of our people will come to an end beginning from March 2010 when we will move onto the Government House Awka," Soludo said.

While commending the visionary leadership of governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State who he said has provided over 25,000 jobs to his people through the Agricultural revolution he introduced in the State, the PDP candidate pledged to transform Anambra State to the Dubai - Taiwan of Africa through massive investment in the provision of infrastructure, building of industries, provision of jobs and ensuring the protection of security of lives and property of the people.

On his chances of winning the election, Soludo said that not less than 80 per cent of Anambra people belong to the PDP and that none of the candidates contesting the election can compare with him in any ramification, adding that the leaders Anambra people deserve in the face of the challenges ahead are people of distinction and not those who would provide half- baked services as has been the case in the past.

Also speaking, Mrs. Nonye Soludo said that the welfare of women, especially widows, orphans and other less privileged members of the society would be her pre- occupation if her husband becomes governor of Anambra State in March next year. She stated this while speaking at a programme organized for Anambra widows by the Royal Women Foundation which took place at the Peoples Club of Nigeria Centre, Onitsha.

"Since Senator (Emma Anosike) has said that their government would create a ministry in charge of the affairs of widows, I will pursue it and make sure that it is done and backed with relevant laws to make sure that government is committed to its implementation. I will also fight to make sure that women are adequately represented in the government making sure that not less than 30 percent of those occupying government position are women.

"I urge all Anambra women to come out and support Soludo and his team because there are so many problems confronting our people which we have to begin to solve from March next year. You know how he performed excellently at the Central Bank of Nigeria where he transformed the banks so that you can put your money there and go to sleep. He will do the same thing in Anambra State," she promised.