* Demands retraction of claim, public apology
The wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to former senator and deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Uche Ekwunife, demanding a retraction of allegations of infidelity and a public apology.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Mrs. Soludo described the allegations made by Mrs Ekwunife as “wilful and malicious” and warned that legal action would follow if they were not withdrawn.
“My lawyers have also been put on notice,” she said. “I will still as a Christian give Uche a chance to repent and ensure restitution by recanting her wilful and malicious allegations within 72 hours and tendering an unreserved apology. Take note Uche that if you fail to do so, I will take every step necessary to ensure justice and restitution.”
The dispute stems from a viral video in which Mrs. Ekwunife alleged that Mrs. Soludo had an affair with former Anambra governor, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, during his administration, and suggested that the paternity of her children was in question. The remarks came in response to Governor Charles Soludo’s earlier criticism of Mrs Ekwunife’s academic qualifications, particularly her claim to a doctorate degree.
Mrs Soludo denied the allegations, insisting she had never met the late Governor Mbadinuju. “In my 55 years on planet earth, I have known only one man, Chukwuma Soludo. I married him as a virgin and my fidelity to him in 33 years of marriage and for life is ironclad,” she stated.
She further challenged Mrs Ekwunife to take an oath of fidelity before the Catholic Church’s Blessed Sacrament and proposed DNA tests for both families to be conducted in three hospitals in London, pledging to cover all costs.
“I will swear with my children that in my 55 years on earth, I have known only one man—Chukwuma Soludo. On your part, you should also swear with your children or your political ambitions that since you got married, you have never cheated on your husband,” Mrs Soludo declared.
She added: “I challenge you, Uche Ekwunife, for us to subject our children to paternity tests. Science has made life easy and there are things you cannot lie about nowadays. To avoid any stories in Nigerian hospitals, let us do it in three reputable hospitals in London. I will pay the expenses.”
The development comes less than two months to the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, in which Mrs. Ekwunife is contesting as the APC deputy governorship candidate.
