The dance party against the upcoming Anambra gubernatorial elections of 2014 may have begun behind closed doors away from the viewing eyes of the public. This is as information available to 247ureports.com through sources knowledgeable of the activities around the former Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo indicate that the former CBN Governor may have reached an understanding with the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] in Anambra State against the gubernatorial exercise of 2014.
According to the information received, the former CBN Governor is presently engaged in closed door deliberations with stakeholders and associates over the modalities of re-joining the gubernatorial race. The former CBN who was quoted as having suspended his campaign – following the failed outing in 2010 – when he lost to the incumbent governor, Mr. Peter Obi during the 2010 gubernatorial elections – is said to have initiated the process of reactivating his political structure in Anambra State. Prof Charles Soludo had contested for the Anambra gubernatorial election in 2010 under the People Democratic Party [PDP] banner.
In talking to a source close to the former CBN Governor, he disclosed that while no decision has been made outwardly concerning the possibility of contesting in 2014, there appear an increased influx of political personnel trooping in and out of the former governor’s residence – and meetings with various grassroots bodies based out of the three senatorial zones of Anambra State.
Interestingly, the said meetings, according to the source, appeared cloaked in an anomaly. The overwhelming presence and numbers of chieftains of the ACN at the said meetings seemed suspiciously out of the ordinary. The source explained that more ACN stalwarts were present at the meetinsg than PDP members.
Cursory inquiry conducted by friends of 247ureports.com discovered that the former CBN governor may have indeed abandoned the PDP for the ACN. The information was confirmed from participants and/or players within the Soludo political structure in Anambra State who were tapped to help delivere victory against Prof Dorothy Nkem Akunyili to the then senatorial candidate for the central senatorial district in 2011 – in the person of Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige. According to the information gathered, the Soludo camp had reached an understanding with the Ngige camp during the campaign exercise – and a gentlemanly agreement was reached between the two camps. For starters, the Soludo camp was to facilitate what it would require to deliver victory for Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige while in return Ngige is to step-down on his gubernatorial ambition/aspiration. Ngige is to ensure Soludo receives an automatic gubernatorial ticket for the ACN come 2014. Ngige is also to lend political support during the campaign.
As our source explained, a clear examination of the political landscape in Anambra shows that the former CBN governor may already be locked-in politically. In the words of the source, “the PDP is too crowded. Andy Uba is already gearing up for the ticket” and “the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] is descending to taters as we speak”. The only lucrative banner to fly against 2014 gubernatorial race would be ACN.
But in talking to the former CBN governor regarding his possibly run for the top seat in Anambra State, he did not deny it nor did he confirm – rather he asked for an advice on the matter. On the ACN aspect, he laughed it off without offering a reply. Also, in talking to Senator Chris Ngige concerning his possible re-entry into the gubernatorial race, he responded that he needed more time to concentrate on his Senatorial duties before launching into another project. Specifically, the Senator stated that he needed to achieve some milestones before he will decide to embark on another campaign. But close associates to Ngige tell 247ureports.com that he has made up his mind not to contest.
It can be recalled that the former CBN governor had failed the outing under the PDP banner owing roles played by his in-law and former federal minister of information and communication, Prof Dorothy Akunyili. The former information minister who had contested for a senatorial seat in the Anambra central district – was said to have pleaded with the then Acting President Jonathan not to allow the former CBN governor win the gubernatorial election in Anambra State . She made it clear to the then Acting President that Prof Soludo was interested in contesting for Presidential elections against him [Jonathan]. She was able to convince the then President into subverting the Anambra State gubernatorial elections – of which Governor Obi won with only 97,000 votes.
Prof Soludo is believed to still be eyeing the presidential seat.
