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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, met in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Thursday.
The two met at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church during the 70th birthday thanksgiving mass for Most Rev. Paulinus C. Ezeokafor.
The governor had in an article titled, ‘History beckons and I will not be silent,’ dismissed the chances of the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
The article generated reactions and wild criticisms across the country, particularly from the supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate.
But speaking during the thanksgiving mass, Soludo, who described the rift between him and Obi as just political differences, insisted that the former Anambra governor remains his brother, irrespective of their political differences.
Soludo said he would soon be meeting with Obi to iron out their differences, adding that their rift was essentially political.
He also dismissed the allegation that he collected $28 million bribe to run down Obi, saying he would have been a trillionaire if he was into such.
“Today is very special. When we came into the service, it was the first time, my brother, Peter Obi, and I are meeting at a public event and in a Catholic Church, which the two of us belong to. I think it was divine.
“When I came in, I quickly went to where he sat and hugged him, people watched with bewilderment as if it was a drama, asking if it was not the same people quarrelling.
“Let me tell you, we spoke two times, just last night. We are brothers. You know I am not one of those politicians that speak from two sides of the mouth, I can’t pretend. I am a politician, but also want to make heaven. I will keep saying the truth.
“There is no rift between Obi and I at a personal level. Nobody snatched each other’s wife. What appears to be the rift between us is fundamental political differences. Nothing else.
“So for those engaging in blackmail and all that, including the one they said I collected bribe to say what I said, I asked them to bring it so I will use it to construct roads. If Soludo is into bribery, I would have been a multi-trillionaire now.
“On the fundamental differences we have, we are going to meet in the next few weeks. We’ve agreed to discuss and iron out our differences. Unfortunately, he’s left. We must get it done. Anambra is for all of us,” the governor said.
While thanking God for the life of Ezeokafor, Soludo pointed out that the cleric has been of great influence on him and his government.
“You changed my thinking when you visited my village house in 2019 and rejected the foreign wine offered to you in the place of palm wine. Today at the governor’s lodge, the highest wine served there is palm wine.
“I was also humbled by the moderate type of car you drove to my house. You told me you chose not to go with a vehicle far above the average of those you are pastoring. I think this is exemplary.
“When you see me drive Innoson cars, that’s part of the inspiration I got from you. If not for security, I would have been riding bicycles to work.
“We are taking the prudence you taught us to the next level because when we came in, it cost us over N137 million to clean offices. Now, it cost barely N11 million. I can only promise to take the message to the world,” he added.
Obi did not speak during the thanksgiving service as he left before the end of the programme.