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Tag: Charles Soludo

  • APGA Debunks Assassination Attempt on Gov Soludo

    APGA Debunks Assassination Attempt on Gov Soludo

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance has debunked the report making the rounds of an assassination attempt on the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

    The party said nothing of such had happened since Soludo became the governor of the state, describing the report as an orchestrated plot by “mischief makers” to instill fear in the minds of the people “just as it is condemnable”.

    Addressing journalists in Awka, on Monday, the National Coordinator of APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, maintained that the governor would not yield to the “evil wishes” of the criminal elements who want to hold the state spellbound.

    Obigwe said the hoodlums only launched a “hit and run attack” on the Isuofia community and not on the governor’s convoy.

    He urged the general public to disregard the twisted report just as he reminded the media that they have a role in eradicating criminality in Anambra and the South-East region.

    The party insisted that no criminal elements could withstand the level of preparedness the governor has placed on security in the state as “security remains the bedrock of sustainable development”.

    The party said, “There was nothing like an attack on the governor. What happened was that criminal elements currently suffocating under the heat of the governor’s merciless onslaught against them decided to launch a hit and run attack at Isuofia.

    “They did that to frighten the residents of Isuofia and to see if Soludo will back out of his decision to end the senseless every Monday sit-at-home in Anambra.

    “But they have forgotten that the governor will not yield to their evil wishes as he is determined to deal decisively with them because security is the bedrock of sustainable development.

    “Soludo’s convoy was not attacked at all, so I can’t tell how they got the news of Soludo’s escape from an assassination attempt in Anambra.”

    The party assured the people not to panic because the state was in safe hands as the state government was determined to chase the criminals out of our state.

    “With Soludo’s level of preparation, criminals cannot withstand the presence of his convoy in any environment in the state. He is fully prepared, they are the ones to run from him and not the other way round as was reported.

    “Soludo was not even at Isuofia when the ugly shooting incident occurred as was reported that he was at Isuofia and escaped being assassinated,” Obigwe added.

  • Gunmen Attack Gov Soludo’s LG Headquarters Set Buildings Ablaze

    The Aguata Local Government Area headquarters, Anambra State, is currently being attacked by arsonists, believed to be those widely referred to as “unknown gunmen” in the South-East.

    The newly sworn-in Governor of the State, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, hails from Aguata.

    The attack began Thursday afternoon when the council headquarters was set on fire by the attackers, who are believed to be the same people that attacked the market in the council, Eke Ekwulobia.

    When contacted, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu said that “following the report of the fire incident at the Local Government headquarters, the command has deployed men to the area and the situation has been brought under control.”

    Ikenga, who is the spokesman of Anambra State Police Command, also said that men of the Fire Service have been contacted and they are already combating the inferno.

  • Soludo sets up committee to unravel cause of agitation in South-East

    Soludo sets up committee to unravel cause of agitation in South-East

    Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has set up a committee to unravel the true cause of the armed struggle in the southeast, which has led to insecurity.

    The committee, to be headed by Prof Chidi Odinkalu, with Amb. Bianca Ojukwu as secretary is termed – Truth, Justice and Peace Committee.

    Secretary to the State Government, Anambra State, Prof. Solo Osita Chukwulobelu, who signed a press statement disclosing this, reeled out terms of reference to the committee.

    “The purpose of the Committee on Truth, Justice, and Peace is to seek a restorative justice approach for truth-telling or real facts, for the healing of the victims of the violence.

    “Accounting for responsibility and accountability of the actors, conditional mercy for the repentant perpetrators, restitution for certain losses and rehabilitation of the perpetrators, for the overall aim of restoration of peace and justice as well as the promotion of development in the State, and the region/Nigeria.

    “Terms of Reference for the Committee are: to identify the remote and immediate causes of the agitations, restiveness, violence, and armed struggle in the South East since 1999.

    “Document victims/circumstances of death, brutality and incarceration, identify stakeholders and groups who have played critical roles in the agitations and conflicts, their roles, capabilities and demands.

    “Address any other issue(s) that may be germane to unravelling the extent of the crisis and charting the roadmap for the future and make recommendations for sustainable peace and security in Anambra state/Southeast,” he said.

    Chukwulobelu said the committee will have a direct reporting line to the Governor, will be provided with administrative support to perform its duties, and will conclude its work no later than six months from its inauguration.

    Meanwhile, other members of the committee include; Dr Joe Nwaorgu, Dr Udenta Udenta, Dr Uju Agomoh, Rev. Fr (Msgnr) Jerome Madueke and Canon Dr Okechukwu C. Obi-Okoye.

    Others are; Mr. Charles Oputa (Charly Boy), Dr. John Otu, Mr. Ngozi Odumuko, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, Dr. Joe Abah, Mr. Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Mr. Sam Egwuatu and Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu.

  • Soludo Declares End To Sit-At-Home In Anambra, Offers Amnesty To Those In ‘Forests

    Soludo Declares End To Sit-At-Home In Anambra, Offers Amnesty To Those In ‘Forests

    Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has declared an end to the Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State and is offering amnesty to agitators still in hideouts.

    “Following the unanimous agreement of our leaders across board, and the endorsement of the entire body of Christ, I am pleased to inform our people that today, Monday, April 4, 2022, marks the official end to the ‘Monday sit-at-home’ in Anambra State,” the governor tweeted on his official handle on Monday evening.

    The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor also said a Peace and Reconciliation Committee will be set up soon to address “all areas of sincere challenge, including interfacing with the Federal Government on behalf of all Prisoners of conscience”.

    Soludo, who restated his government’s resolve to make the southeast state peaceful, also offered “amnesty to all our brothers in the various forests around us. Give us your guns, and trust us to help you forge a meaningful living”.

    According to him, reclaiming the dignity of his people is a task that must be accomplished.

    “I call for your support and prayers, as we have resolved to fiercely go after criminal elements who are out to threaten our peace and distort our development,” he said. “Anambra is the Light of the Nation, we must keep it so.”

    The proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) had ordered the sit-at-home in the southeast following the rearrest of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. According to the group, the order would be maintained until Kanu is freed by the Federal Government.

    While the order continued to divide opinions among people in the region, the development created fear among residents. Typically, commercial activities are grounded in some parts of the region on Monday, raising concerns that the move may cripple the economy.

    Although the group later said it has cancelled the sit-at-home, several residents still observed it for fear of being attacked.

  • Gov Soludo Visits Burnt Nnewi South LGA Secretariat

    Gov Soludo Visits Burnt Nnewi South LGA Secretariat

    Gunmen attacked Headquarters of Nnewi South Local Government Area in Ukpor, Anambra State and set about five buildings ablaze.

    It was gathered that the unknown gunmen carried out the arson attack in the early hours of Thursday, March 31.

    Gunmen attack Nnewi South LG headquarters, set buildings ablaze (video)

    Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, said the Council Headquarters has been condoned off by the police operatives and the State firefighter are also deployed there to control the situation.

    Meanwhile, Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo has visited the scene to access the scene following the attack by unknown gunmen.

    The Governor inspected the buildings set ablaze by the hoodlums which included the works department, education building, traditional council office, public complainant commission office and property department office.

    The Governor in his speech described the incident as a very sad moment and emphasized that the security agencies will get to the bottom of the situation.

    Soludo regretted that the common man will be at the receiving end as the money that should be used to provide the basic infrastructures would now be used for rebuilding.

    Governor Soludo reiterated his resolve to restore law and order in Anambra for the sake of the people.

  • Anambra: Obiano’s Administration Left N300m cash, N100bn Debt – Gov Soludo

    Anambra: Obiano’s Administration Left N300m cash, N100bn Debt – Gov Soludo

    Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has said the problems in the state are daunting, but not insurmountable.

    The governor also revealed that the last administration kept N300m in the coffers, but left over N100bn in debts as of December 2021.

    Soludo made the disclosure on Tuesday during an interview with Arise TV.

    The governor’s revelation came after the Economic and Financial Crimes arrested his predecessor, Willie Obiano.

    The former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor stated that other financial transactions of the state from January to date were not yet available.

    He said, “First, in terms of finances, there is an audited account of Anambra as of December 31, 2021, which is a public document that anyone can access. Between the audited accounts as of the end of the year 2021, everyone knows that the state finances are not quite robust.

    “In terms of debt, it is in the range of over N100bn and then cash, which the state has is N300 or N400mn, but we are still going to have all the reconciliations and all the accounts from January to the date when we had the handover.”

    Soludo assured the people of the state that his administration would be people-oriented and focused on delivering the dividends of democracy.

    The governor, who spoke on a number of issues, asserted that his government remained irrevocably committed to improving the welfare and standard of living of the common man in the state.

    He reiterated that the problems to be solved were daunting but not insurmountable.

    He stated that with the support and cooperation of the resourceful people of the state, the problems would be surmounted and a liveable and prosperous homeland would become a reality.

    Soludo lamented the lean resources of the state, but promised that every effort would be made to improve the financial base of the government.

    He maintained that the government would reform the revenue collection system following the ban on the illegal activities of touts, who had been collecting revenue indiscriminately.

    “In terms of the debt I inherited, it runs into hundreds of billions of naira. That of cash, we met about N300m only. In fact, let’s not talk about it. Our treasury is funny. But I hope we shall make money henceforth to help us fulfil our promises for infrastructure and development of the state. But in terms of what I met in our coffers, my brother, it’s pathetic. Please, let us not go there. God will help us,” Soludo stated.

    On his historic visit to Okpoko, the governor said, “The community will be cleaned up with good drainage to avert the perennial flooding, which the area usually experiences anytime it rains.

    “We will emphasise our home-grown economic philosophy with higher demand for Akwete clothes and improved patronage of other locally-produced goods

    “The issues of insecurity and the weekly sit-at-home syndrome will be adequately addressed. The first major meeting I had when I was sworn in was on security issues.”

    He also condemned the sit-at-home as anti-people, especially on the downtrodden and daily business owners, who suffer losses, and pledged that the issue would be resolved.

    “Anambra State intends to have a transparent public finance management where we are going to publish our accounts so that everyone will have knowledge of what is there and what is missing and what funds have been used for what,” Soludo added.

  • Why I Gave Obiano’s Wife A Dirty Slap – Bianca Ojukwu

    Why I Gave Obiano’s Wife A Dirty Slap – Bianca Ojukwu

    Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, widow of the late Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, has opened up on the encounter between her and the former First Lady of Anambra State.

    During the inauguration of Governor Charles Soludo, on Thursday, Ebelechukwu Obiano and Ojukwu’s widow had a face-off.

    The incident had triggered reactions, especially on social media.

    Soludo later apologised to the people of Anambra and guests who attended the ceremony, attributing it to misunderstanding between the duo.

    In a statement she issue on Friday, Bianca told her own side of the story.

    “As the inaugural ceremonies for Prof Charles Soludo and his deputy began and all guests were seated, the Former First Lady of Anambra State, Mrs Ebele Obiano, was noticeably absent. She then arrived some one-and-a-half hours later while the ceremony was on. I didn’t pay any particular attention to her arrival.”

    “Surprisingly, she then walked towards me and I thought she was coming to greet me. Instead, when she got to where I was seated, she verbally attacked me with her voice raised, taunting me and asking me what I was there to do and using unprintable vile language.

    “She asked if I had come to celebrate their last day in office. But I ignored her completely. Then, she kept aggressively putting her hands on my shoulders and shouting. While I ignored her verbal onslaught, as advised by those sitting around me, I requested twice that she refrained from touching me with her hands.

    “She proceeded to do so yet again and went further to grab at my head tie, which she attempted unsuccessfully to remove. This very act is considered a sacrilege to a titled matriarch such as myself in Igbo culture.

    “It was at this point that I stood up to defend myself and gave her a dirty slap to stop her from attacking me. As she made towards me, I then pulled away her wig. She held on to her wig with her two hands and tried to take the wig away from me.

    “The former APGA chairman, Umeh (Chief Victor Umeh), told her to leave me and told engaged APGA members that had gathered at the spot to lead her away, which they did and took her to the seat next to her husband Chief Willie Obiano who sat through the entire episode completely speechless.

    “What struck me through the whole episode was the fact that she was clearly intoxicated. I was stunned by the stench of whisky in her breath at such an early hour of the day. How could a first lady be so drunk and proceeded to turn up in that state at an Inauguration ceremony that began at 9 am?

    “It is unfortunate that she threw all caution to the wind and imported this kind of melodrama to a state ceremony. This was highly embarrassing to the Governor who left the venue almost immediately, taking her along with him.

    “Luckily, this did not disrupt the proceedings and I stayed back to witness the ceremony to the end after which we were treated to a sumptuous reception at the Government House.”

  • Soludo Sworn In As Anambra Governor In Low-Key Event

    Soludo Sworn In As Anambra Governor In Low-Key Event

    Charles Soludo has been sworn in as the fifth governor of Anambra State in a modest event that took place at the Government House on Thursday. Soludo took over from Willie Obiano.

    The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor took the oath of office alongside his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim.

    In his inaugural speech, Soludo promised to hit the ground running, saying some key members of his government will be announced in a few hours.

    “Today is my first day at work. I just reported for duty at 8:55 am to be precise and will work for at least eight hours today,” the newly-sworn in governor said.

    “We had more than a month since the election to celebrate our historic victory. Now is the time to work and there is no minute or kobo to waste in funfair. In a few minutes, I will announce some of the principal officers of my administration and commence with serious meetings of the Anambra Security Council followed by a meeting with the permanent secretaries, a meeting on Okpoko, and with my Strategy, Execution, and Evaluation (SEE) team.”

    “Within the next few weeks, the list of commissioners will be laid before the House of Assembly,” the Aguata-born economist, added.

    ‘God Ordained This Moment’

    He also thanked stakeholders, his supporters, Federal Government agencies like the police, and the people of Anambra State for their roles in his election last November.

    “Umunne m Ndi Anambra, this is the moment. I applied for this job. My party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APG), shortlisted me, and you, Umunne m Ndi Anambra, interviewed and employed me with Chief Dr Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim as my deputy,” Soludo said.

    “God ordained this moment and we are grateful to Him and to you all for the privilege to serve you. Dr Ibezim and I will work very hard every day to make you proud.”

    Governor Soludo also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for allowing the will of the Anambra people to prevail.

    “Our eternal gratitude goes to President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the presidency for remaining democrats,” he said, calling for more support to deliver on his campaign promises.

    The event was graced by top dignitaries in the state and beyond including the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Oye and wife; Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Uchenna Okafor and wife; Sen. Victor Umeh and wife; Bianca Ojukwu, clergymen, traditional rulers among others.

    Hours before the swearing-in, security officers were seen at strategic points within and around the Government House. Guests began to arrive for the programme in the early hours of the day and were subjected to routine security checks.

    A circular by the state government showed that about 50 persons were invited for the ceremony as Soludo said he wanted a low-profile event.

    Thursday’s swearing-in is the culmination of a series of events leading to the programme. A day earlier, the former governor had handed over some state documents to the new leader.

    In his farewell speech, Obiano had thanked the state for the privilege to serve, asking for forgiveness from those he may have offended. According to him, his intentions were pure even though he might have stepped on some toes.

    He believes in his eight-year stint, his administration delivered on its campaign promises.

    Soludo’s inauguration came about four months after a landslide victory in the governorship poll. The APGA flagbearer defeated his closest rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Valentine Ozigbo. The Isuofia-born banker won 19 of the 21 local government areas of the state to clinch the post. He got 112,229 votes, twice higher than Ozigbo who had 53,807 votes.

    A month after he won the election, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit to invalidate the victory.

    The suit sought to nullify his win on allegations that Soludo provided false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Justice Taiwo Taiwo in dismissing the suit said it lacked merit and was a waste of the court’s time. He told the plaintiffs not to use the court as a tool to stagnate democracy and also awarded N2 million to APGA, Soludo, and Ibezim who were the second, third, and fourth respondents in the suit. INEC was the first defendant.

  • Soludo Pledges to Stop Fuel Tanker Fire in Anambra

    Soludo Pledges to Stop Fuel Tanker Fire in Anambra

    Anambra State Governor-elect, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has vowed to end fuel tanker incidents in Anambra State.

    Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), made this promise in reaction to Friday’s petrol tanker fire incident in Onitsha, which consumed properties worth billions.

    He expressed deep sorrow at the magnitude of material losses suffered by the victims, lamenting the incessant tanker explosion in the Onitsha axis and other cities around the country.

    He said: “Soludo assured that a lasting solution to prevent future occurrences must be fashioned out to safeguard precious lives and material losses in future, saying this current trend cannot continue

    He, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Willie Obiano for their immediate reactions and condolences to the victims.

    “He equally called on relevant government institutions saddled with the responsibilities of providing succour for cases of this nature to provide the needed relief and support to ameliorate the losses, pains and agonies suffered by the victims arising from the unfortunate incident.”

    He also commended the gallantry of the youths, fire service officials and other security personnel who came immediately to the scene to stem the spread of the inferno.

  • As Gov, I’ll Drive Innoson Vehicle as Official Car – Soludo

    As Gov, I’ll Drive Innoson Vehicle as Official Car – Soludo

    Anambra State governor-elect, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has said that in order to promote domestic brands, his official vehicles when he assumes office would be those manufactured by the Innoson Vehicle Motors (IVM).

    Soludo who visited members of the inauguration committee stated this in his speech to the committee members.

    The governor-elect also said it was not a coincidence that he had been wearing local fabrics known as Akwete, saying it was part of his intentional to support local brands and to make a statement with it.

    He said: “My akwete dress is not just dress, it’s a statement. I want to make a statement with it. You know, in the entire south-east, this is the only textile thing alive, and it’s handmade, by the women of akwaete in Abia State.

    “Igbo land is one and we must protect it. We want to bring back the zeal of patronising our own. I have said it even during campaigns, and I meant it, that if I win, the official car of the governor of Anambra State will be Innoson Vehicle.

    “The dresses I will wear are those made here (south-east). We must protect the things that are made in our place. Something is about to happen in Igboland, and together we will get there.”

    On his upcoming swearing-in, Soludo said there would be no ceremony to mark the event, stressing that no amount would be spent on it.

    He said the day was simply to mark his first day at work, saying even though it is a weekend, he would spend eight hours of the day working.

    “I have made a wish that not even one kobo of Anambra people’s money will be spent on that swearing-in ceremony. It is a wish, and I mean it. What are we spending money on? Just few people coming to the inauguration and witnessing it, then I will open office and get down to work immediately.

    “I do not wish any event, dancers or players and all that. I just want to show up for work, like every first work day. Though it is going to be a Friday, which is weekend, but I’m going to work for over eight hours that day.

    “No ceremony, no event, no party, nothing. Not even 10 kobo will be spent. So the people who are saying N20 million has been budgeted should go and tell us where they will get that money. It is going to be work, work, work, and that is what we epitomise.”