According to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, he once opposed Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s desire to become governor of Anambra State.
Obasanjo said he had doubts when his former Chief Economic Advisor came him and said he was vying for the governorship seat in the state of Anambra. Obasanjo was speaking in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, at an event to commemorate Soludo’s first year in office.
According to the former president, Soludo was more suited for “something worldwide or national” than governor of Anambra.
“Because of my experience with Chukwuma, I earmarked him for something greater in my mind, until one day he came to me and said he was going to contest election as governor of Anambra. I did not disguise my anger against him.”
“And I said, ‘Chukwuma, governor of Anambra, no, I see you for something national or international.’
“What is this governor of Anambra? He said to me, ‘You remember one morning when we were together and I came for morning devotion and I said let us pray for the new governor of Anambra, and I snapped and said, ‘What prayer are you making?
Obasanjo said his experience of Anambra then was Dr (Chris) Ngige and Uba. “And then, you will not blame me for my reaction.”
He said Soludo reminded him of what he said on that occasion. “I said, oh yes I remember,” Obasanjo added.
Ngige, who is the current Minister of Labour and Employment, was Governor of Anambra between 2003 and 2006.
Emmanuel Uba (Andy Uba) was elected and sworn in as the governor of Anambra State on May 27, 2007. He was removed by a Supreme Court decision on June 14, 2007. He governed the state for 14 days.
“I said to Chukwuma, ‘When people like you are running away, what do you expect? Hooligans will take over, and then people like him should not complain.”
He said he later told Soludo he could contest, but he should not forget he reserved him for national or international assignment. “But go for this governorship as an appetiser, then the main menu will come later. So, you are on your appetiser stage,” Obasanjo said, turning to Soludo.
He said Soludo’s performance confirmed what he said to the governor in the past.
“From what I have heard and what I have seen, you have not disappointed me and I believe you have not disappointed the people of Anambra State,” Obasanjo added.
Soludo is a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who served between 2004 and 2009, including when Obasanjo was President.