•Governor: it’s not true
Former Anambra State Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju has been blacklisted by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, in what looks like ‘hall of fame’ list, some residents have alleged.
The state government has embarked on drawing leaders in the state, past and present, on the three flyovers built by former Governor Willie Obiano.
Names of prominent leaders like the first President of Nigeria, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Mr. Peter Obi, Chief Obiano, Senator Chris Ngige and Prof. Soludo have been drawn on the bridges.
The bridges are built at Amawbia junction, Kwata junction and popular Aroma junction, all on Onitsha-Enugu expressway.
The government’s action has set tongues wagging. Residents have berated Soludo over what they termed injustice to Dr. Mbadinuju.
Mr. Festus Ozomma from Ihiala Local Government told The Nation that Soludo was unfair for delisting someone like Mbadinuju.
Francis Uzoma from Ekwulobia alleged that what Governor Soludo did by blacklisting the first executive governor of the state was pure witch-hunt, adding: “Nobody knows tomorrow.”
Others, who did not want to be mentioned, told The Nation that Mbadinuju did a lot in the state during his tenure between 1999 and 2003, noting that anyone who tried to disparage him would get his reward.
Reacting, the state government said no one blacklisted the former governor, adding that his own turn was coming.
Speaking with The Nation, the Press Secretary to Soludo, Mr. Chris Aburime, said what some people were doing was to create unnecessary enmity “between the two illustrious sons of the land.”
He said it would be unfair for the government or anyone in the state to forget Mbadinuju, who, according to him, was instrumental in opening the capital city during his administration.
According to Aburime, “the paintings have not ended. The people are still working and areas have been mapped out where Mbadinuju’s drawings will appear.
“Some people like creating unnecessary troubles when they do not exist. Nobody has forgotten or blacklisted ‘Oderaa’ (Mbadinuju). I assure you his picture will appear soon. The work is going on.”