Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed why he was against the governorship ambition of Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
KanyiDaily had earlier reported that Soludo received Obasanjo at the Anambra International Airport in Umueri to attend an event where the governor would celebrate his one-year anniversary in office.
Speaking at the event in Awka, Obasanjo said he had reservations when his Soludo approached him that he was gunning for the governorship position in Anambra state.
The ex-president said he was against the idea because Soludo who was his former Chief Economic Adviser, was better at “something international or national” and not as Anambra governor.
Obasanjo said, “Because of my experience with Chukwuma, I earmarked him for something greater in my mind, until one day he came to me and said he was going to contest election as governor of Anambra. I did not disguise my anger against him.”
“And I said, ‘Chukwuma, governor of Anambra, no, I see you for something national or international.’
“What is this governor of Anambra? He said to me, ‘You remember one morning when we were together and I came for morning devotion and I said let us pray for the new governor of Anambra, and I snapped and said, ‘What prayer are you making?
Obasanjo said his experience of Anambra then was Dr (Chris) Ngige and Uba. “And then, you will not blame me for my reaction.”
He said Soludo reminded him of what he said on that occasion. “I said, oh yes I remember,” Obasanjo added.
“I said to Chukwuma, ‘When people like you are running away, what do you expect? Hooligans will take over, and then people like him should not complain.”
He said he later told Soludo he could contest, but he should not forget he reserved him for national or international assignment.
“But go for this governorship as an appetiser, then the main menu will come later. So, you are on your appetiser stage,” Obasanjo said, turning to Soludo.
He said Soludo’s performance confirmed what he said to the governor in the past.
“From what I have heard and what I have seen, you have not disappointed me and I believe you have not disappointed the people of Anambra State,” Obasanjo added.
Soludo is a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who served between 2004 and 2009, including when Obasanjo was President.
KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Charles Soludo recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) owned by businessman, Emeka Offor, to guarantee 24-hour power supply in Anambra.
