Soludo Says Some Governorship Aspirants Merely Seeking Popularity

Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed some of his challengers in the forthcoming governorship election as aspirants who are only in the race to gain recognition rather than win.

Soludo made the remarks during a visit to the traditional ruler of Umueri community in Anambra East Local Government Area, Igwe Ben Emeka, as part of activities marking the community’s new yam festival.

The governor specifically mentioned Mr Paul Chukwuma, a native of the community and governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), as one of those using the race as a platform to build popularity.

“Paul Chukwuma, your son, is my friend. He used to visit me, maybe it was in the process of that visit that he saw the governor’s seat and fell in love with it and decided to contest,” Soludo said.

“He saw the chair and said he liked it, and I told him it is not his turn yet. This thing is turn by turn. His zone, Anambra North, just completed their eight-year tenure and handed over to me.

I know what he is doing; he is merely creating awareness so that when it gets to Anambra North again, he would have become popular.”

The governor added that Chukwuma was the first to flood the state with campaign posters, but insisted his ambition was not realistic at this time.

“I told him, my friend, go and keep your money and use it to train your children. Don’t waste it for nothing because you’re not going anywhere. He is not contesting,” Soludo stated.

Political observers note that Anambra operates an informal zoning arrangement for the governorship. Soludo’s predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano, hailed from Anambra North Senatorial District.

With Soludo currently representing Anambra South, he is considered entitled to a second term before power rotates to Anambra Central.