On Thursday in Awka, Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo and Onyeka Ibezim, took their oaths of office in a low-key ceremony, as they assumed office as Governor and Deputy Governor. It was supposed to be the new governor’s special day, but some unscripted developments ensured he became the sideshow and not the most reported news of the day.
On that auspicious occasion, the wife of his predecessor, Mrs. Ebele Obiano and wife of the late Biafran leader, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Bianca, decided to spice up proceedings with some fisticuffs.
Their antics put into the shade Soludo smaller government ideas which he planned to begin unveiling at the inaugural.
As part of his plan to run an austere government, he had announced, through the Head, Soludo Media Office, Joe C. Anatune, that the ceremony would be devoid of unbridled celebrations that are usually associated with occasions of such nature.
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And so it was. There was no crowd; no fanfare. About 50 people only were invited for the event, amongst them were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Victor Oye and wife; Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Uchenna Okafor and wife and a few other dignitaries.
The drama that was to overshadow the actual reason for the ceremony occurred just as Soludo was to take his oath of office. Dignitaries, including Obiano, Oye and others, were already seated when Mrs. Obiano, who came unusually very late to the ceremony, left her seat, proceeding to where Ojukwu’s widow, an ex-beauty queen, was seated.
An altercation ensued between the duo and before anybody could come in between them, Bianca landed what she was later to describe as a ‘dirty slap’ on the beautifully made-up face of the outgoing First Lady. All hell was let loose as the two women went for the kill. Peacemakers and security details at the event were quick to intervene, preventing further physical display of strength by the women, but not before Obiano’s wife had her wig removed from her head. She was, however, quick to retrieve the prized item in the melee that ensued.
She was later taken away from the scene while some dignitaries stayed back to pacify Bianca. So disturbed by the incident was the outgoing governor that he left the event shortly afterwards. It was not until them was Soludo, the real celebrant of the day, was able to continue with other activities of the day.
The new governor, in his inaugural speech, vowed to change the economic fortunes of the state, promising citizens that his government would make them proud, as he was assuming office to serve them. He vowed to work hard every day to make the state a better place.
The arrest of Obiano later in the night of same day at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) completed the queer overshadowing of the much-awaited swearing in ceremony of the ‘Double Governor’ as Soludo is now known.