Prof. Solo Osita Chukwulobelu, the Director General of the Soludo – Ibezim Campaign Organisation (SICO), said the general opinion polls portraying the Soludo-Ibezim ticket as the consensus of Ndi Anambra for the November gubernatorial election, has caused some candidates to show desperation with intent to distract or destroy.
He said the recent tantrums and despicable obscenities by the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Uche Ekwunife is an example.
Prof. Chukwulobelu stated that the response of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is to remain razor-focused on the issues about the future of Anambra, without distraction by any number of fabricated obscenities.
He asserted that the fundamental issues for every election is the qualification of the candidates to hold such office, as the Nigerian Constitution prescribes a minimum academic qualification for the office of the governor of a state.
According to him, Anambra, a state known for excellence, is home to some of the most educated leaders Nigeria has ever had— Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Akwaeke Nwafor-Orizu, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, Prof. Chinua Achebe, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Kenneth Dike, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Francis Cardinal Arinze, etc.), and it is an important matter in the choice of a governor.
Citing the qualifications of some past governors, Pro. Chukwulobelu pointed out that “The past civilian governors since 1999 include Dr. Mbadinuju (PhD); Dr. Nwabueze Ngige (MBBS, UNN—Medical Doctor); Mr. Peter Obi (B. Sc Philosophy, UNN); and Mr. Willie Obiano (B. Sc, MBA—UNILAG), an issue that of credence to their personality,’ he explained.
The DG, SICO pointed out that the present Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, holds a B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph. D Economics, from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a globally acclaimed Professor of Economics, consultant, and technocrat.
He asserted that Governor Soludo has attained hundreds of international awards for excellent public service including the Financial Times of London/Banker award as best Governor of Central Bank in the World; the New African Magazine’s (London) recognition as one of the 100 most influential Africans, and even celebrated by his Alma Mater, UNN, at its 44th Founders’ Day as the University’s Most Distinguished alumnus.
His Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim is a Medical Doctor with accomplished public service. Together, both are leading a major social and economic transformation of Anambra State, and the evidence is clear.
Prof. Chukwulobelu explained that the SICO campaign is rooted in over 120 sterling achievements of the Soludo-Ibezim administration in barely three years without borrowing, and a robust plan for the next four years.
“With dozens of awards of excellence by newspapers, magazines, and institutions as well as endorsements by every stakeholder group in Anambra, Ndi Anambra are happy and clear about their choice. The last bye election was a mock for the governorship, and APGA scored 75% of the votes. November will be even more emphatic,” he remarked.
He revealed that the APC Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates comprising Nicholas Ukachukwu and Uche Ekwunife, respectively, has the worst qualification for the office in the history of Anambra.
The professor said Nicholas Ukachukwu submitted a General Certificate of Education (GCE), purportedly taken in May/June 1986, and there comes the question, Is GCE taken in May/June or November/December?), a case for another day. “With shameful F9’s in English, Mathematics, Economics, etc., Ukachukwu’s certificate raises doubt about basic literacy and numeracy, a fundamental requirement for effective governance,” he remarked.
He further noted that Mrs. Ekwunife, in her own form at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), swore that her qualifications are: GCE, December 1987—with only 4 subjects which are insufficient for a university admission, and a PhD from one purported university in the US.
“Really? PhD with no undergraduate programme? We then sought to find out which university would award a straight PhD to a GCE holder (with only 4 subjects) and it turns out that the so-called university is not accredited in the U.S and not recognised by the National Universities Commission (NUC), in Nigeria as a university.”
“So, the undated PhD certificate claimed under oath by Ekwunife is a fake certificate from a Fake university! Once you discountenance the Fake PhD, her only qualification (as sworn under oath by her) is a GCE with 4 subjects,” the DG, SICO added.
