Group Cautions Soludo, Ekwunife Over Anti-Obi Narratives

From Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka

A group, Anambra Grassroots Movement (AGM), has cautioned the duo of Governor Charles Soludo and Senator Uche Ekwunife over what it described as ‘anti-Obi narratives’.

A statement signed by the group’s national president, Dr Laz Ojukwu, and its national secretary, Amb Ndubisi Achebe, and made available to newsmen in Nnewi, on Friday, quoted the group to have said that Anambra people, and by extension, Igbo people, are no longer comfortable with ‘the level some Igbo politicians have taken their hatred and jealousy against their own brother, who they should be promoting his presidential aspiration’.

Part of the statement reads, “Few weeks ago, during a rally organized by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the senator representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, Mrs Uche Ekwunife, was accused of describing the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, as a kindergarten candidate; a comment that attracted condemnation from most Nigerians, including people of her senatorial district.

“This is coming from someone, who is believed to have rode on Obi’s back to win a senatorial seat  in 2019.

“Again, Governor Charles Soludo, during a recent interview with the Channels Television, also berated Obi’s performance as governor; and said that Obi’s investments and savings as Anambra governor were nothing to write home about.

“Soludo and Ekwunife should be reminded that it was because of Peter Obi’s proven track record of integrity and the dire need to promote equity, justice and fair play in the country’s polity that the Northern Elders Forum, the Afanifere group, the Middle Belt Forum, and the Niger Delta Forum endorsed him. Governor Soludo and Senator Uche Ekwunife’s unfair narratives and judgements against Obi only show truly that a prophet is never without honour except in the place of his birth.

“The two should be reminded that Anambra, Southeast, and well meaning Nigerians are watching them closely – in their actions and inactions.

“Soludo acknowledged publicly that his government borrowed N100 billion within its first 100 days in office. This is in addition to extra tax burden the governor laid on the people of his state. It is the same Soludo that is berating his predecessor, who served credibly for eight years without borrowing one kobo; yet, he left whooping N75 billion for his successor.

“Soludo and Ekwunife should, therefore, be advised to channel their energies on delivering quality dividends of democracy as against playing selfish politics. Peter Obi’s aspiration is a project for emancipation of a new Nigeria. Therefore, whatever politician that toys with it, when his turn comes, we’ll remind him of his sins against the masses.”