August 16, 2013 saw the abortion of hope and the end of short lived euphoria that had permeated the common and top society people of Anambra State – as the news of the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] party led by the duo of Governor Peter Obi and Chief Victor Umeh disqualify the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN], Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo – out of running for the governor of Anambra State in 2013 under the APGA banner.
According to the information available to 247ureports.com, the APGA 3-man panel screening committee had disqualified Professor Soludo over an invitation letter issued to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] in December 2012 inviting him to come clarify issues the EFCC needed clarifications on. The letter which had asked for the Professor to appear at their offices twenty one [21] days from the date on the letter, was used by the screening committee to disqualify the Professor –for the reason that the EFCC has an open file on him – that until the file is closed APGA will not allow him to fly their banner for gubernatorial race.
It was gathered that one of the members out of the 3-man screening panel raised the issue of illegality of the grounds of disqualification of Professor Soludo. The member pointed out that the grounds were illegal and unlawful but he was shunned and told that it was not a matter of ‘law’ but a matter of ‘politics’.
Nonetheless, the mood in Anambra appears gloomy.
The news of Professor Soludo’s entrance into the APGA had raved up excitement throughout the State among the youths who had previously been disenfranchised by the soiled politics in Anambra. It seemed life was injected into the APGA again which many know to be the Igbo party – of which – suffered near collapse with the death of the former head of State of Biafran Republic, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu.
The death of Ojukwu and the near completion of Peter Obi’s two terms in office along with the abandonment of APGA by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State – caused core supporters and members of APGA to believe the end of APGA has come – until the public announcement of Professor Soludo’s entrance into the party. His entrance into the party injected new hope into the core believers of the Igbo project – that the APGA will not collapse – that perhaps, APGA will govern Anambra for a third term. A taxi driver in Awka by name Amaechi who had shared his elation with 247ureports.com as the news of Soludo’s entrance into APGA broke – stated that Anambra has finally turned the corner. In his words, “I know with Soludo in APGA – other Igbo States will follow. And I know he will transform Anambra”. A similar sentiment was shared by a Restaurant Owner located along Unizik Junction in Awka. She congratulated the APGA for receiving a person like Soludo into the party. “APGA, the Igbo party will now grow and become something”, she said. A young youth corper by name Eucharia Igwilo based in Adazi Nnukwu applauded the entry stating that “APGA needs Soludo now and Anambra will no doubt benefit from Soludo as a governor. This is good”
But the euphoria was aborted abruptly.
It is believed that abrupt abortion may not be unconnected to the instructions from the Presidency to the leaders of the APGA to halt the candidacy of Professor Soludo in order to pave way for the People Democratic Party [PDP] aspirant. Sketchy information indicates that the favorite candidate of the President’s wife happens to be Senator Andy Uba. It is believed by the Presidency that should Soludo be allowed to contest for the primaries under the APGA – he will win the gubernatorial ticket. And if he wins the APGA gubernatorial ticket – he will win the general elections. Soludo’s victory will mean defeat for the PDP candidate. The President, it is believed instructed for the candidateship of Soludo be truncated to enable the emergence of Senate Andy Uba. Interestingly, the Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, the national chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh and the wife of late Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu were utilized to stop Soludo – and inevitably, APGA’s continued rule in Anambra – and by extension, the entire south east.
President Jonathan is reported to be concerned that Professor Soludo may not give him the support in 2015 against the Presidential race – if he becomes the governor of Anambra.
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Stay tuned for the Report on the details on how Peter Obi, Bianca Ojukwu, Chief Victor Umeh were used by President Jonathan to stop Soludo.
