*Denies alleged $28m inducement to smear LP presidential candidate
Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has described as mischievous, the alleged rift between him and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi.
He maintained that Obi remains his brother irrespective of their political differences.
Soludo, in an article titled: ‘History beckons and I will not be silent,’ dismissed the chances of the Labour Party flag bearer in the 2023 presidential poll, saying the former governor of Anambra State is aware he is just chasing shadows.
The article elicited mixed reactions across the country and particularly on social media where Soludo was heavily criticised.
But speaking at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, during the Thanksgiving mass in honour of Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor in celebration of his 70th birthday, Soludo said he would soon be meeting with Obi to iron out their differences, which he said is essentially political.
He also dismissed as laughable the $28 million bribery allegations to run down the LP standard bearer, saying he would have been a trillionaire if he was into such racketeering.
He said: “Today is very special. When we came into the service, it was the first time, my brother, Peter Obi and I are meeting in a public event and in a Catholic Church which two of us belong to. I think it was divine.
“When I came in, I quickly went to where he sat and hugged him, people watched with bewilderment as if we’re acting drama. Is it not the same people quarrelling?
“Let me tell you, we spoke two times, just last night. We’re brothers. You know I’m not one of those politicians that speak from two sides of the mouth. I can’t pretend. I’m a politician, but also want to make heaven. I’ll keep saying the truth.
“There’s no rift between Obi and I at a personal level. Nobody snatched each other’s wife. What appears to be the rift between us is fundamental political differences. Nothing else!
“So for those forging blackmail and all that, including the one they said I collected bribe to say what I said, I asked them to bring it so I use it to construct roads. If Soludo is into bribery, I would have been multi trillionaire.
“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. Unfortunately, he’s left. We must get it done. Anambra is for all of us.”
Appreciating God for sparing the celebrant’s life to attain 70, Soludo said Ezeokafor has been of great influence on him and his government, especially in the area of prudence and patronage of locally made products.
He said: “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 in Governor’s Lodge, the highest wine served there is palm wine.
“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’re 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’re taking the prudence you taught us to the next level because when we came in, it cost us over N137million to clean offices. Now, it cost barely N11million. I can only promise to take the message to the world.”