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We’ll bring him to his knees! Anambra monarchs spoil for war with Soludo
Indications from Anambra State are suggesting that Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the state governor, might be engaging traditional rulers in the state, in a full-blast war, if he does not move quickly to contain the anger within the institution which appears to be boiling over, accentuated by opposition politicians, believed to be practically adding petrol into the fire.
WhirlwindNews, learnt that a major rebellion is currently in the offing as politicians have bought into the discontent from the frosty relationship between the traditional institution and the governor with grand plan to escalate it into a full-blown open war.
Buoyed by the strong position taken by Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC), more royal fathers in the state, would soon begin to speak out more openly or act in ways suggesting open confrontation with the governor, a move that could threaten the second term bid of the governor, who posted a resounding victory in 2021.
It was further learnt that the Onitsha monarch, arguably the most prominent in the entire South East and one of the most revered in Nigeria, did not speak alone in his open letter, addressed to the state government, which went viral, on Wednesday, but captured the mood of his colleagues and that there would be more of such that might result to an open war on a large scale.
“What you saw in that letter reflects the mood of the royal fathers. It is a complex situation really. Many of them have been seized and are working as agents to politicians. But many, are genuinely angry with Soludo for many reasons, most of which were pointed out in that letter. They have not been in the best of terms with the governor since he came into office. I’m sure you read the details in that letter. Everything was not said there. You know Agbogidi is an experienced technocrat and he knows how to capture many things with elegant language.
“You see how that letter was addressed to the commissioner to make it appear that he was speaking to a lesser person. But everything you read there was actually directed at Soludo, including the allegation of double standards. The commissioner was just a smokescreen from where the Obi, unleashed his missiles at the governor.
“When Soludo collected his own title, did the law he was quoting apply? How many traditional rulers did Igwe of Ukpo consult to crown the Vice President (Kashim Shettima) “Enyi Ndigbo?” How many did he consult to offer (Abdullahi) Ganduje (National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress – APC) “Agunechemba Ndigbo?” Was Soludo not present there when these titles were conferred on those people in the same Anambra? What did he say?
“Meanwhile, these are titles that reflect the names of the Igbo people as if the entire traditional rulers in Igboland gathered and agreed to give them. This is part of the hypocrisy of Soludo the Obi spoke about, but I’m sure he didn’t want to name those instances so that it doesn’t appear he’s fighting the VP or the federal government. Which is a worse sin, a Soludo, who was there when these titles are being given to outsiders from Igboland and the sons of the soil?”
“I don’t know why Soludo fell into that trap. How can you describe Ifeanyi Uba, a Senator as “one” as if he is just an ordinary person? You saw how the Obi pointed that out too. If you read the language very well, you’ll know where he stands between a choice of Soludo and Ifeanyi. And I can assure you, that’s a reflection of the larger picture. I don’t want to name other people who are plotting this war. You can be sure that APC is also interested in Anambra. Just watch!”
Hours after Mohammed Hayatu-Deen did, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday, also flatly rejected the outcome of the presidential primaries, of the African Democratic Congress, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice.
Amaechi former Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers State, described the announced results as “concocted,” insisting that the process failed to meet the standards of transparency and fairness earlier promised by the party.
He said in a statement: “I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” Amaechi stated.
He said he had previously maintained that he would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free, fair and transparent, stressing that the exercise did not reflect the democratic values the ADC claimed to represent.
“I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold, to rescue Nigerians from the impunity and gross mismanagement that our country is currently facing in the hands of the ruling party,” he said.
Amaechi alleged that a significant number of party members were denied the opportunity to vote during the exercise.
“There’s no way that about eighty percent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results,” he stated.
The former Rivers State governor questioned the moral basis of the ADC criticising the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged electoral malpractice while allegedly engaging in similar conduct internally.
“A party that criticizes the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying, rigging and writing of results, cannot be engaged in vote buying, writing of results, and other electoral malpractices that leads to the disenfranchisement of voters who are party members. This is not acceptable!” he declared.
Amaechi said the ADC was envisioned as a platform to amplify the voices of ordinary Nigerians and provide credible political alternatives irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social background.
His rejection of the outcome is expected to deepen tensions within the opposition party following the conclusion of its presidential primary election.
“These timeless virtues of devotion, selflessness, and submission to divine will are values our nation desperately needs today,” were the exact words with which Godswill Akpabio, attempted to rouse Nigerians to the ethos of unquestionable faith and service to the country.
Akpabio, Chairman of the National Assembly, who drew example from Prophet Ibrahim, admonished Nigerians to emulate his unwavering faith, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah.
The Senate President, who conveyed his sentiments via a statement by Eseme Eyiboh, also used the specifically hail President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his vice, Kashim Shettima and Muslim faithful in Nigeria and around the world as they celebrate Eid El Kabir.
Stressing that the occasion called for prayer and sober reflection on the theme of sacrifice, he added: “This sacred occasion reminds us of Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering faith, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah.
“To our dear President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima and Muslim brothers and sisters, I felicitate with them on behalf of my family, constituents and the Senate on this blessed Eid. May the lessons of sacrifice, compassion, and generosity that define this season strengthen your faith and bring peace to your homes.
“As you share with the less privileged and extend love to neighbours of all faiths, you embody the true spirit of Nigeria. To all Nigerians, I urge us to use this solemn period to pray fervently for peace, security, and prosperity in our land. Let us pray for our troops in the frontlines, for farmers to return safely to their fields, and for unity to prevail over division in our Nation.
“Eid El Kabir also calls us to deep reflection on the future of our country. Just as Prophet Ibrahim was tested, Nigeria is in a season of testing. The sacrifices we make today in patience, in tolerance and in choosing hope over despair will determine the Nigeria our children inherit.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, supported by the National Assembly, is anchored on that same principle: that meaningful progress often requires collective sacrifice.
“May Almighty Allah accept your prayers and sacrifices. May He heal our land, guide our leaders, and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Barka da Sallah. Eid Mubarak.”
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps.”
These were the exact words of Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, one of the presidential aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with which he cast a slur on the ongoing presidential primaries of the party, hinging his position on reports of fraud trailing the exercise.
Hayatu-Deen, a second timer in the search for the nation’s number one job, ran against Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President and Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation.
In a statement on his assessment of the exercise which began on Monday, the renowned economist Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), used his X platform to convey his dissatisfaction with the process.
The ADC which said the collation for the exercise would take place in Abuja had urged aspirants, party leaders, delegates, and members to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold party unity.
Bolaji Abdullahi, its spokesman, who described the exercise as a defining moment for both the ADC and Nigerians seeking a credible political alternative, maintained that it remained committed to internal democracy and a transparent leadership selection process.
“The ADC remains proud to stand today as the only truly democratic party in Nigeria because it is the only political party whose choice of presidential candidate is determined through open primaries,” he said adding that the conduct of aspirants and party members during the exercise would reflect the leadership culture the ADC seeks to promote.
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