The founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas Okorie, has accused Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, of using his support for President Bola Tinubu to criticise the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Okorie made the allegation in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, expressing disappointment over what he described as Soludo’s persistent attacks on his predecessor.
The APGA founder alleged that Soludo had continued to criticise Obi despite the former Anambra governor maintaining respect and extending normal courtesies to him.
“I have watched with disgust and utter disappointment, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s vicious and vile vendetta against Mr. Peter Obi,” Okorie stated.
He further claimed that Obi had consistently demonstrated respect towards Soludo, even as the incumbent governor allegedly continued making critical remarks about him.
According to Okorie, Soludo has been hiding under the cover of supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue what he described as a political vendetta against Obi.
Okorie Identifies Three Causes of Soludo and Obi’s Political Disagreement
The APGA founder traced the alleged hostility between Soludo and Obi to three major political developments involving Anambra State and the party.
The first, according to Okorie, was the 2009 Anambra State governorship election, in which Peter Obi defeated Soludo, who finished in third position.
Okorie described Obi’s victory as Soludo’s first major grievance against the former governor.
“Peter Obi won the election resoundingly and beat Soludo to a distant third position. This is Peter Obi’s first ‘offense’ to Soludo,” he said.
The second issue identified by Okorie was Soludo’s disqualification from the APGA governorship primary in August 2013, during Victor Umeh’s leadership of the party.
Okorie alleged that Soludo had blamed Obi for his exclusion from the primary, further deepening the political disagreement between the two figures.
The third development, according to the APGA founder, was the party’s senatorial primary for Anambra Central ahead of the 2023 general election.
He referenced the political developments surrounding Victor Umeh, who subsequently contested and won the Anambra Central senatorial election on the platform of the Labour Party, a development Okorie linked to Obi’s political influence.
Okorie alleged that these three events were responsible for Soludo’s continued opposition to Obi, although the claims represent his own interpretation of the relationship between the two politicians.
Okorie Revisits Soludo’s 2022 Criticism of Peter Obi
Okorie also referenced Soludo’s 2022 article titled “History Beckons And I Will Not Remain Silent,” which attracted public attention for its criticism of Peter Obi.
The APGA founder described the article as a significant moment in the governor’s public disagreements with the former Anambra State governor.
He alleged that Soludo’s criticism of Obi had persisted over the years and argued that the incumbent governor should reconsider his approach to the former governor.
Okorie further described Obi as the most outstanding and popular presidential candidate on the ballot, while praising the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso political combination.
He called the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance “the most formidable combination in any presidential election in Nigeria after the Shagari/Ekwueme presidential ticket.”
Okorie Advises Soludo to Focus on Anambra Governance
The APGA founder urged Soludo to concentrate on governing Anambra State rather than engaging in continued political criticism of Peter Obi.
Okorie argued that the state faces several challenges that require the governor’s attention, insisting that Soludo should prioritise the welfare and development of Anambra residents.
“There are several issues challenging the people of Anambra State that are sufficient to keep Prof. Soludo busy. Prof. Soludo should be mindful of the verdict of history,” he said.
He concluded by directly appealing to the governor to end his alleged criticism of the NDC presidential candidate.
“Prof. Chukwuma Soludo leave Mr. Peter Obi alone,” Okorie stated.
The allegations have brought renewed attention to the political relationship between Soludo and Obi, two prominent figures in Anambra politics whose disagreements have featured in public political discourse.
Okorie’s statement reflects his position on the dispute, while the allegations of a political vendetta and the motives he attributed to Soludo remain claims made by the APGA founder.