Anambra Guber: Soludo’s Wife, Ekwunife Fight Dirty
Wife of Anambra State governor Nonye Soludo and the gubernatorial running mate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 8 Anambra State governorship election, Uche Lilian Ekwunife, are fighting dirty.
Both of them are accusing each other of infidelity.
The genesis of the fight is Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s allegation that Ekwunife is parading fake certificate, and said she obtained her doctorate degree from an unaccredited and unrecognised university in the United States.
But Ekwunife, who until her nomination as APC running mate, served as a member of House of Representatives, a Senator and Director General of South East Governors’ Forum, described Soludo as “a smelling professor” and “the dirtiest governor in the whole of Africa.”
She dismissed Soludo’s allegations and challenged him to verify her academic records across multiple Nigerian institutions.
“Go to court if you claim my PhD certificate is fake. Go to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, to verify my master’s degree and to the University of Calabar for my first degree.
“I did both before obtaining my PhD,” she declared.
She further accused Soludo of brandishing a questionable professorship, insisting it was merely a departmental award and not globally recognised.
“The illiterate professor that said he is the governor of Anambra State should please leave me alone, we are practicing social democracy in Nigeria and all political parties know their candidates.
Soludo has contested for governor of Anambra state twice before Willie Obiano imposed him on Ndi Anambra,” Ekwunife stated.
She added that Governor Soludo has done nothing good for the people of Anambra State, adding that the state was peaceful before he took power.
“All the bushes in Anambra State are full of people’s corpses. Anambra was a state that every Thursday people come to but now people are running way from Anambra, you have failed woefully as a governor,” she added.
Ekwunife also lambasted the governor’s hygiene, stating that he had a ‘smelling mouth’ and Terrible ‘body odour’.
She asked the governor, “Have they not told you that your mouth smells? You’re the dirtiest governor in the whole of Africa. You smell, your armpits smell.
“Tell your wife to get you deodorant, when you bathe, you apply it to your armpits so you can be like your fellow men.
“When you open your mouth to speak, the odour that comes out is so Stinking and embarrassing,” she said.
The campaign of calumny into family issues, with Ekwunife accusing Soludo’s wife of infidelity, and accusation the governor’s wife said was aimed at tarnishing her family’s image.
Nonye, Soludo’s wife, said Ekwunife had crossed “a red line”, by dragging her family into political disputes.
She defended her integrity and called on Ekwunife to retract her claims within 72 hours or face legal action.
What began as a political dispute has now spilled into personal territory, drawing widespread attention and concern among Anambra’s political class.
The Anambra First Lady also challenged Ekwunife to a public oath and DNA tests as a way to put to rest questions raised in the course of the campaign.
Ekwunife had in a video which had gone viral, alleged that Governor Soludo and his wife were part of the administration of late Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju between 1999 and 2003.
The governor’s wife rejected the allegations and said Ekwunife should provide verifiable evidence to support her claims.
“For starters, let me repeat three verifiable facts. One, I have never worked for anyone in my life. I have been a professional and an entrepreneur all my adult life.
“Two, I never met Dr. Mbadinuju of blessed memory in my life. Three, in my 55 years on planet earth, I have known only one man, Chukwuma Soludo,” she said.
The First Lady further issued a challenge to Ekwunife, “Since she claims to be a converted Catholic, I challenge her and both of us to swear an oath of fidelity and chastity at any Cathedral in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
“I will also swear with my children that I have known only one man—Chukwuma Soludo,” she added.
She also proposed DNA tests for both families, to be conducted in three reputable hospitals in London, stressing that she would bear all expenses.
“As a businesswoman, I will pay for your and your family’s travels as well as for the tests. If, after the tests, it is confirmed that your husband is the father of all your children, I will congratulate you with a cash award. I can confirm that my family is ready for this test at any moment of your choice,” she stated.
Soludo concluded by urging Ekwunife to recant her statements and tender an unreserved apology within 72 hours, warning that her lawyers had been notified in preparation for possible legal action.
However, in reaction to the development, Ekwunife, in a statement released on Saturday, stated she gave a “friendly advice” to Soludo.
Ekwunife noted, “Mrs. Soludo does not owe me any explanation regarding personal family matters. If my statement caused any discomfort to Mrs. Soludo, she owes her husband an explanation, not me.”
She further stated, “Challenging me to respond or undergo tests does not involve me, as I am not part of her family affairs. She should focus on addressing any concerns with her husband.”
Ekwunife concluded, “My resolve to contribute positively and save Anambra State from misrule remains strong and undaunted.”
