Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has called Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate and former Anambra governor Peter Obi as his brother, adding their differences are “fundamentally political.”
Obi controlled Anambra State from 2006 and 2014 as a member of Soludo’s All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014, running as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in 2019 before winning the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential ticket on May 30 in Asaba, Delta State.
Soludo’s words come 10 days after he wrote a blistering opinion article against Obi in which he accused his predecessor of exploiting his presidential bid to play a game he couldn’t win.
Gov Soludo Meets Obi In Awka, Says Rift Political
Photos have emerged, however, showing the two Anambra political titans embracing on Thursday at the 70th Birthday Thanksgiving ceremony of the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Awka.
According to Christian Aburime, Soludo’s press secretary, when Soludo came at the chapel, he immediately approached Obi and hugged him as everyone looked on in amazement.
Soludo claimed in his statements that he will meet with Obi soon to smooth out their issues.
“Today is very special. When we came into the service, it was the first time, my brother, Peter Obi and I are meeting at a public event and in a Catholic Church which the two of us belong to. I think it was divine,” the governor said.
I Never Received $28 Million To Blackmail Obi – Soludo
“Let me tell you, we spoke two times, just last night. We are brothers. You know I am not one of those politicians that speak from two sides of the mouth. I can’t pretend. I am a politician, but also want to make heaven. I will keep saying the truth.
“There is no rift between Obi and me at a personal level. Nobody snatched each other’s wife. What appears to be the rift between us is fundamentally political differences. Nothing else.”
The governor also dismissed allegations of $28m bribery received by him to run down the LP presidential candidate.
“For those forging blackmail and all that, including the one they said I collected a bribe to say what I said, I asked them to bring it so I will use it to construct roads. If Soludo is into bribery, I would have been a multi-trillionaire now.
“On the fundamental differences we have, we are going to meet in the next few weeks. We’ve agreed to discuss and iron out our differences. We must get it done. Anambra is for all of us.”
After Listening To Soludo, No One Will Buy Peter Obi For 10 Kobo – Gov Sule
While thanking God for the life of the celebrant, Soludo pointed out that the cleric had had a great influence on him and his government.
“You changed my thinking when you visited my village house in 2019 and rejected the foreign wine offered to you in the place of palm wine. Today at the Governor’s lodge, the highest wine served there is palm wine,” he said.
“I was also humbled by the moderate type of car you drove to my house. You told me you chose not to go with a vehicle far above the average of those you are pastoring. I think this is exemplary.
“When you see me drive Innoson cars, that’s part of the inspiration I got from you. If not for security, I would have been riding bicycles to work.
“We are taking the prudence you taught us to the next level because when we came in, it cost us over N137m to clean offices. Now, it costs barely N11m. I can only promise to take the Encomiums For Bishop Ezeokafor.
I Will Work With Soludo To Tackle Nigeria’s Challenges – Peter Obi
Bishop Ezeokafor’s footprints of committed, thorough priestly and episcopal service were inscribed all over the Catholic faith, according to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpalaeke, in his goodwill letter to the clergyman.
The Cardinal praised the bishop’s fortitude and assured him that he would be remembered in his prayers, wishing him many more years of fruitful and fulfilling work.
Most Rev. Ezeokafor, an ambassador of the Catholic Diocese of Awka from Nanka, claimed that he was also commemorating his 15th anniversary of Episcopy in addition to his birthday.
He described it as 15 years of excellence, including the dedication of a record number of churches, the reconstruction of an Okpuno retreat and pastoral center, and the construction of Peter University in Achina.
Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Deputy Governor of Anambra State; Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Chief of Staff to the Governor; and Hon Chinedu Nwoye, Protocol Officer, joined Soludo to the thanksgiving service.
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Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor; Deputy Speaker, Dr. Paschal Agbodike; APGA Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central, Senator Uche Ekwunife; Hon. Dozie Nwankwo; Labour Party Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central, Sen. Victor Umeh; and Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke were also present.
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