In the arena of Nigerian politics, where theatrical displays and verbal jousting are considered par for the course, there exists an unwritten code that separates legitimate political discourse from the unseemly. Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State appears to have crossed this line with his peculiar and increasingly uncomfortable fixation on Senator Uche Ekwunife, the Deputy Governor candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
What emanates from my governor is not political strategy but something far more disturbing—a voyeuristic obsession that reveals more about the observer than the observed.The spectacle of a sitting Governor, who should be ostensibly focused on governance and development, repeatedly turning his attention to dissecting, diminishing, and attempting to delegitimize a female political opponent raises fundamental questions about leadership, professionalism, and the quality of our democratic discourse.
Soludo’s fixation on Ekwunife has become so pronounced that it borders on the pathological—a Governor who seems more preoccupied with one woman’s political aspirations than with the manifold challenges facing his state.This obsession becomes even more troubling when viewed through the lens of Soludo’s academic credentials and supposed intellectual sophistication.
Here is a man who apparently has walked the corridors of international finance, who has lectured in prestigious universities, and who has advised governments on economic policy. Yet, when faced with a formidable female political opponent, he has chosen to descend into the gutter, trading his alleged intellectual capital for cheap political point-scoring. The question that begs asking is: why would an academic of Soludo’s supposed stature engage in such profane political theater?
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The answer might lie in recognition—a grudging acknowledgment that Senator Ekwunife represents everything his administration is not or apparently lacks. Her political curriculum vitae reads like a masterclass in public service excellence. From her distinguished career in the private sector to her impactful tenure in both chambers of the National Assembly, where she championed numerous legislative initiatives and consistently delivered democratic dividends to her constituents, Ekwunife embodies the kind of competent, results-oriented leadership that Anambra desperately needs. Her track record in both the public and private sectors should indeed “scare the jitters” out of Soludo and his cheerleaders, for it presents a stark contrast to his own governance style.
Faced with this formidable opponent, Soludo has resorted to the lowest common denominator of political warfare. His attempt to portray Ekwunife as a certificate forger represents perhaps the most desperate and unfounded attack in recent Anambra political history. Without evidence, without substantiation, and without regard for the damage such baseless accusations might inflict on our democratic processes, the Governor chose to impugn the integrity of a woman whose educational credentials and professional achievements are matters of public record.
This reckless accusation not only failed to diminish Ekwunife’s stature but succeeded brilliantly in exposing the paucity of Soludo’s own political arsenal.
Even more shocking was Soludo’s declaration that Ekwunife cannot be Governor of Anambra State because, despite hailing from Igbo Ukwu, she is married to a man from Nri. In the 21st century, when the world is systematically dismantling barriers and embracing inclusivity, Governor Soludo, with his supposed national and global exposure, has chosen to behave like a political dinosaur. His position that a woman, by virtue of her marriage, forfeits her right to aspire to govern her home state represents not just archaic thinking but a fundamental assault on the principles of gender equality and women’s rights.This retrograde stance raises critical questions about the silence of feminist organizations and female activists who should be screaming “blue murder” at such blatant discrimination. Where are the voices that have championed women’s political participation? Where are the organizations that have fought tirelessly for gender inclusivity in governance? Their silence in the face of such overt misogyny is as troubling as the original statement itself, for Soludo’s position essentially argues that marriage transforms a woman from a full citizen with political rights into some form of political helot, forever bound by the geographical origins of her spouse rather than the distinction of competence.The irony of this position becomes even more pronounced when one considers that Ekwunife’s marriage, rather than diminishing her connection to Anambra, has actually deepened her understanding of the state’s diverse communities and challenges. Her dual perspective as both an Igbo Ukwu indigene and an Nri resident should be viewed as an asset, providing her with broader insights into the needs and aspirations of different constituencies within the state.
Soludo’s attempts to diminish Ekwunife’s political stature have achieved the exact opposite of their intended effect. Rather than undermining her credibility, they have succeeded in diminishing his own persona and reducing the overall quality of political discourse in Anambra State. Each attack, each baseless accusation, each desperate attempt at character assassination has stripped away another layer of the intellectual veneer that once defined the Soludo brand. The academic who once commanded respect in international financial circles has transformed himself into a political street fighter, and the transformation has been anything but flattering.This devolution raises a more fundamental question about the Soludo administration’s governance priorities.
Why is a sitting Governor spending so much time and energy focused on a Deputy Governor candidate rather than showcasing his own achievements? Why is the administration not campaigning on its performance record, which is what any serious, achievement-oriented government would naturally do?The answer to this question is both simple and damning: the Soludo administration cannot run on its record because, after four years in office, there is precious little record to run on. The absence of significant developmental milestones, the lack of transformative projects, and the failure to address the fundamental challenges facing Anambra State have left the administration with no choice but to resort to personal attacks and character assassination. When you have nothing to sell, you attempt to destroy the competition—a strategy that reveals more about your own inadequacies than those of your opponents.
The tragedy of Soludo’s fixation on Ekwunife lies not just in its voyeuristic nature or its contribution to the degradation of political discourse, but in what it represents: the spectacle of a failed administration desperately trying to distract from four years of underachievement by manufacturing controversies around a competent opponent. In choosing this path, Soludo has not only diminished himself but has also disserviced the people of Anambra State, who deserve leaders focused on solutions rather than distractions, on development rather than destruction, and on progress rather than petty political gamesmanship.
