Ohanaeze secretary says Governor Soludo has been dragged before Arochukwu Long Juju

OHANAEZE Ndigbo general secretary Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro revealed that Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has been dragged before the Chokoleze divinity in Mbaise and the Ubiniukpabi long juju in Arochukwu for opposing Peter Obi's candidacy.

Next February, Nigerians go to the polls to elect a new president and Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate is one of the frontrunners in the contest. Other major contenders in the election are former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

However, over the weekend, Governor Soludo threw the cat amongst the pigeons when he suggested that Governor Obi, one of his predecessors could not win the contest. In a lengthy statement, Governor Soludo alleged that Governor Obi was only playing a game and also criticised his record in office while he governed Anambra State.

Governor Soludo said: “Let’s be clear, Peter Obi knows that he can’t and won’t win. He knows the game he is playing and we know too and he knows that we know. Everyone knows that he is going nowhere but they are looking for who to blame.”

However, this statement from Governor Soludo  has caused anger across the southeast geo-political zone, with many describing him as the worst enemy of Ndigbo and the new Nigeria project. They accused him of being envious of the surging acceptability and rising political profile of Governor Obi, insisting Ndigbo and most Nigerians are united on his presidential bid.

Mazi Isiguzoro described Governor Soludo as a dog in the manger enrolled to discredit Obi’s legacies. He further added that Ndigbo has dragged Governor Soludo to the two famous divinities and deities - Chokoleze in Mbaise and Ubiniukpabi in Arochukwu - for his unreasonable public behaviour.

Former Imo State governor Emeka Ihedioha, had made a similar statement calling those supporting Peter Obi and Labour Party saboteurs. In a video, he said Nigeria could not afford to make mistakes in the 2023 election and that there were two parties in the election, the PDP and the APC.

One  top politician from Anambra State expressed discontent against some of the political elites from the southeast zone for what he termed a betrayal. He said:  “It is obvious that many southeast politicians have been hired by the enemies of Nigerians to derail the Obi presidency in 2023.

“The divisive interests amongst Igbo leaders and politicians have continued to ruin the chances of Ndigbo making headway in matters of national importance.  Igbos are their own problem. What is his ulterior motive for making that statement against Peter Obi?

“This clearly shows his deep seated hatred for Peter Obi ad he just found an opportunity to unleash it. I never believed Soludo would be attacking his brother Obi in a time like this, all in the name of politics. I feel like crying.

“Southeast leaders will never speak against all the bad things against the region but are always quick to speak against their brother. Is it not shocking that the zone had the most invalid registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission with the least registration but none of them made an inquiry about what caused it.

“Southeast deserves better leaders because most of our leaders have failed us. The many problems we have today are caused by our leaders.”