Our Campaign Will Remain Focused On Anambra’s Future – Says Soludo-Ibezim Campaign Organisation

The Soludo-Ibezim Campaign Organisation has said that their electioneering campaign will remain focused on the future of Anambra State.

In a statement signed by the Director General, Prof. Solo Osita Chukwulobelu, the Soludo-Ibezim Campaign Organisation (SICO) said, “The 2025 Anambra’s governorship election is on the 8th of November, and various political parties/candidates are exercising their constitutional rights to campaign for the office. Frustrated by the general opinion polls that SOLUDO- IBEZIM ticket is the consensus of Ndi Anambra for the election, some candidates are beginning to show desperation with intent to distract or destroy. The recent tantrums and despicable obscenities by the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC—Senator Uche Ekwunife is one example. Our response is that we will remain razor-focused on the issues about the future of Anambra, and no number of fabricated obscenities can distract us. We will not take the bait to get into the gutter with them. And we will not dignify them either”.

“However, part of the fundamental ISSUES for every election is the QUALIFICATION of the candidates to hold such office. The Constitution of Nigeria prescribes a minimum academic qualification for the office of governor of a state. For Anambra, a state known for excellence (home to some of the most educated leaders Nigeria has ever had— Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Akwaeke Nwafor-Orizu, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, Prof. Chinua Achebe, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Kenneth Dike, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Francis Cardinal Arinze, etc.), it is an important ISSUE in the choice of a governor. The past civilian governors since 1999 include: Dr. Mbadinuju (PhD); Dr. Nwabueze Ngige (MBBS, UNN—Medical Doctor); Mr. Peter Obi (B. Sc Philosophy, UNN); and Mr. Willie Obiano (B. Sc, MBA—UNILAG).”

“Our current governor, Chukwuma Soludo (B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph. D Economics, UNN) is a globally acclaimed Professor of Economics, consultant, and technocrat— with hundreds of international awards for excellent public service including the Financial Times of London/Banker award as best governor of central bank in the world; the New African Magazine’s (London) recognition as one of the 100 most influential Africans, and even celebrated by his Alma Mater, UNN, at its 44th Founders’ Day as the University’s Most Distinguished alumnus. His Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim is a Medical Doctor with accomplished public service. Together, both are leading a major social and economic transformation of Anambra State, and the evidence is clear. Our campaign is rooted in over 120 sterling achievements of the Soludo-Ibezim administration in barely three years without borrowing, and a robust plan for the next four years. With dozens of awards of excellence by newspapers, magazines, and institutions as well as endorsements by every stakeholder group in Anambra, Ndi Anambra are happy and clear about their choice. The last bye election was a mock for the governorship, and APGA scored 75% of the votes. November will be even more emphatic!”

“Who are the other candidates/parties and their qualifications for office? From the forms filled by each candidate and submitted to INEC, we can confirm that the ticket of APC—Nicholas Ukachukwu/Uche Ekwunife – has the worst qualification for office of governor in the history of Anambra State. Nicholas Ukachukwu submitted a GCE (purportedly taken in May/June 1986— Is GCE taken in May/June or November/December?)  Issue for another day! With shameful F9’s in English, Mathematics, Economics, etc., Ukachukwu’s certificate raises doubt about basic literacy and numeracy— a fundamental requirement for effective governance. Anambra cannot have a governor whose ability to read and write or add and subtract numbers is in doubt. That is the ISSUE!”

“Mrs. Ekwunife, in her own form at INEC swore in that her qualifications are: GCE (December 1987—with only 4 subjects which are insufficient for university admission) and a PhD from one purported university in the US. Really? PhD with no undergraduate programme? We then sought to find out which university would award a straight PhD to a GCE holder (with only 4 subjects) and it turns out that the so-called university is not accredited in the U.S and not recognized by the NUC in Nigeria as a university. So, the undated PhD certificate claimed under oath by Ekwunife is a FAKE certificate from a Fake university! Once you discountenance the Fake PhD, her only qualification (as sworn under oath by her) is a GCE with 4 subjects. She has not responded to this fundamental fact but instead chose to divert attention with hilarious fabrications. Previously she got away with these fake robes, but you cannot deceive all the people all the time. Effectively, the APC ticket—gubernatorial candidate (Ukachukwu) and his Deputy (Ekwunife) have presented the worst/fake credentials for office of governor of Anambra in history. Anambra is moving forward, and never backwards!”

“Part of the ethical and moral rebirth that the Soludo-Ibezim administration is executing is to rid Anambra of Fake influences on our children/youths – influences that discourage hard work and enterprise and promote success by magical means. That is why we are pursuing fake native doctors (Okeite Dibia’s). Those who pay and obtain fake degrees and parade fake titles are also bad influences on our children/youths. It matters more for people seeking to lead the State. That is the ISSUE, and it remains a legitimate issue for the election.”

“Mrs. Ekwunife has, in an audio recording, admitted that she is already inside the mud and would fabricate and throw mud at our candidate and at everyone around him, including his family—for exposing her fake PhD and inadequate GCE. Very laughable is the ignoble attempt to smear the first lady of Anambra state, a woman celebrated as virtuous and a model of womanhood and motherhood. Uche Ekwunife has made a fatal mistake by taking on a woman of virtue and grace.”

“As a Campaign Organization, we are focused on the future of Anambra. We do not take the support of Ndi Anambra for granted. We are working hard to earn every vote based upon the value that we have created and will still create for the people. But the issue of who has the basic qualifications to govern Anambra will remain a legitimate issue in the campaign—both now and in the future! Anambra is far too sophisticated to be governed by semi-illiterates, and/or people of easy virtues.”