Tobias Sylvester
Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo has met the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi amidst reports of the alleged rift between them.
Peter Obi Meet Charles Soludo
KanyiDaily recalls that Soludo recently dismissed Obi’s candidacy in a long article highlighting why he thinks the LP candidate won’t win the 2023 presidential election.
Before the article, Soludo had also faced criticisms for rubbishing the investments made by Obi when he was Anambra Governor.
The two men met on Wednesday, November 24, at St Patrick’s Catholic Church during the Thanksgiving mass for Most Rev. Paulinus C. Ezeokafor in celebration of his 70th birthday.
In series of photos circulating on social media, Obi and Soludo were seen embracing each other while exchanging pleasantries.
Speaking during the Thanksgiving mass, Soludo said he would soon meet with Obi to iron out their differences, noting that their rift was essentially political.
The governor also dismissed the rumour of $28m bribery allegations he allegedly collected to run down the LP candidate, saying he would have been a trillionaire if he was into such.
Soludo said, “Today is very special. When we came into the service, it was the first time, my brother, Peter Obi and I are meeting in a public event and in a Catholic Church which 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 we’re acting drama. Is it not the same people quarrelling?
“Let me tell you, we spoke two times, just last night. We’re brothers. You know I’m not one of those politicians that speak from two sides of the mouth. I can’t pretend. I’m a politician, but also wants to make heaven. I’ll keep saying the truth.
“There’s 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 forging 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 use it to construct roads. If Soludo is into bribery, I would have been multi trillonaire.
“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.”
Also appreciating God for sparing the celebrant’s life to attain 70, Soludo said Ezeokafor has been of great influence on him and his government, especially in the area of prudence and patronage of locally made products.
Soludo added; “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 in 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’re 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’re taking the prudence you taught us to the next level because when we came in, it cost us over N137m to clean offices. Now, it cost barely N11million. I can only promise to take the message to the world.”
Peter Obi did not speak during and after the Thanksgiving service as he left before the end of the programme.
KanyiDaily recalls that Babatunde Gbadamosi said that Governor Charles Soludo is showing a dark side of himself for blaming Peter Obi for the failure of investments he handed over to his predecessor, Willie Obiano.
