“One would wonder if it was Peter Obi who handed over to Soludo. From the time of Peter Obi to Soludo, there was an 8-year interval. So, why always Peter Obi and not the person who handed over to him?”
BY OKEY AKIYU
In 2010, Soludo had wanted to contest for the governorship election under the umbrella of PDP against Peter Obi, who ran under APGA. However, he didn’t succeed.
In 2013, Soludo had high ambitions of contesting for governor of Anambra State with the intention of replacing the then outgoing Governor Peter Obi. However, he was disqualified in the primaries for not meeting the required laid-down requirements from APGA. It was rumoured then that Peter Obi didn’t endorse him. Rumours suggested that Peter Obi didn’t endorse or support Soludo’s political ambitions in ANAMBRA State.
When Willie Obiano, the anointed candidate of Peter Obi in the 2014 governorship elections, came on board, coincidentally, it happened that the then governor Obiano and Soludo had a past record as friends through their banking histories, both in Fidelity Bank and Soludo as CBN governor. Obiano anointed his long time friend Soludo to succeed him. It’s worth noting that Chukwuma Umeoji was in the picture and would have won Soludo in that primary if it was thrown open. With state might and power of incumbency, Obiano ensured Soludo won the governorship election.
Soludo came to office in 2021 as the governor of Anambra State, and to him, it was a thing of “finally, I am here.” Then, the man who allegedly never endorsed him was now running for the post of president. So, to Soludo, it’s a game of “do me, I do you”. It’s like having your enemy at your mercy. “You didn’t support me then, now it’s my turn”.
In politics, it’s often said that there is no permanent friend or enemy. However, this quote doesn’t seem applicable to Soludo. For Soludo, he’s out to play revenge politics. That is why the first time Peter Obi appeared on the ballot, Soludo wrote back-to-back comments to discredit him and openly endorsed Tinubu. Recently, during the commissioning of the newly built Government House and Governor’s lodge, Soludo openly endorsed Tinubu for 2027, knowing fully well that his brother and preferred capable man was running for the position. Soludo didn’t do so because he loves Tinubu so much; he is just doing so to get back at Obi.
There was a reason why he brought the president to the state to commission the Government House. He threw shade at Peter Obi by saying the last time a president visited was in 2012 to commission a brewery plant. One would wonder if it was Peter Obi who handed over to Soludo. From the time of Peter Obi to Soludo, there was an 8-year interval. So, why always Peter Obi and not the person who handed over to him?
Soludo’s achievements aren’t up to a quarter of Willie Obiano’s achievements. At least, the three flyovers in Awka were built by Obiano. The airport where Tinubu landed was built by Obiano, etc. Yet, we didn’t see Obiano come online to make noise about his achievements, despite these projects benefiting the public directly. What does the common man stand to benefit from the newly built Governor’s lodge and Government house? These things are just built for their comfort and has no benefit to the common man.
When Goodluck Jonathan came to Anambra on August 30th, 2012 to commission projects, these were some of the projects he came to commission as against what Soludo stated:
– Orient Petroleum’s Oil Drilling Facilities: Located in Aguleri-Otu.
– Onitsha River Port complex
– projects within the Onitsha Harbour Industrial Estate, including:
– Intafact Brewery (SABMiller Brewery): A major employer and taxpayer in Anambra State.
– Orange Drugs Company
– Krisoral Company
– Brollo Steel Company
– Over 15 roads were completed and commissioned during the visit. Etc
Soludo is just playing politics of Acrimony. Unfortunately, his supporters aren’t telling him the truth. It is okay to take a revenge, but while doing so, apply caution so you don’t end up harming yourself in the process
…Okey Aliyu, a political analyst is based in Awka, Anambra State
