Soludo-Ibezim Campaign Organization Reaffirms Commitment to Issue-Based Politics Amid Rising Desperation from Opponents
Soludo and ibezim
The Soludo-Ibezim Campaign Organization (SICO) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to an issue-based campaign, focused on the development and future of Anambra State.
In a statement issued by the Director-General, Prof. Solo Osita Chukwulobelu, the campaign emphasized that it will not be distracted by “a rising tide of falsehoods and fabricated obscenities” being peddled by desperate political opponents.
Prof. Chukwulobelu stated that the Soludo-Ibezim team is focused on governance, not mudslinging, and will not descend into the political gutter by engaging in petty personal attacks. “Replying to fabricated personal insults only dignifies those spreading them. Our energy is fully dedicated to presenting Ndi Anambra with a clear, credible, and visionary path for continued transformation,” he said.
According to SICO, one of the most critical issues in any election is the qualification of the candidates seeking to occupy high public office.
Nigeria’s Constitution stipulates a minimum educational qualification for anyone seeking to become a state governor.
In a state like Anambra renowned for its intellectual legacy and historically high standards this requirement is not a formality, but a matter of principle.
Anambra has produced some of Nigeria’s most illustrious and educated leaders Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Akwaeke Nwafor-Orizu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Prof. Chinua Achebe, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Kenneth Dike, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Francis Cardinal Arinze, among others.
“This legacy of excellence must not be diluted,” the statement noted.
Since 1999, Anambra has been governed by highly qualified individuals,Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju (PhD),Dr. Chris Ngige (MBBS, UNN),Mr. Peter Obi (BSc, Philosophy, UNN),Chief Willie Obiano (BSc, MBA – UNILAG),Prof. Charles Soludo (BSc, MSc, PhD – Economics, UNN) . A globally renowned economist and former CBN Governor, recipient of numerous international awards including the Financial Times’ Central Bank Governor of the Year.
While Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim (MBBS),an accomplished medical doctor and administrator.
Together, Soludo and Ibezim are leading a bold social and economic transformation of Anambra, with over 120 impactful achievements in just three years,all without borrowing.
This performance has earned endorsements from nearly every major stakeholder group in the state. The last bye-election, in which APGA secured over 75% of the vote, is testament to the people’s confidence in their leadership.
The campaign organization raised serious concerns about the questionable academic qualifications of the APC governorship and deputy governorship candidates—Mr. Nicholas Ukachukwu and Senator Uche Ekwunife.
Mr. Ukachukwu submitted a GCE certificate allegedly from May/June 1986 raising red flags, as GCE exams are typically conducted in November/December. The certificate reportedly contains F9 grades in English, Mathematics, and Economics, which casts doubt on his basic literacy and numeracy an alarming shortfall for anyone aspiring to govern a state like Anambra.
Senator Uche Ekwunife, in her INEC documentation, declared only four GCE subjects (insufficient for university admission), and claimed to possess a PhD from an unaccredited foreign institution with no traceable undergraduate education.
“No recognized university, in the U.S. or anywhere else, awards a PhD without a prior degree,” the statement read. Investigations reveal that the so-called university is neither accredited in the U.S. nor recognized by Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC).
“This is not a trivial matter,” “What we are dealing with is a fraudulent certificate declared under oath. Once the fake PhD is discounted, the only stated qualification is a GCE with four subjects. This raises a legitimate ethical, legal, and moral issue for public scrutiny.”SICO noted.
Rather than responding to these serious allegations, Ekwunife has chosen to deflect with what SICO described as “hilarious fabrications” and “cheap distractions”.
She has even resorted to smearing the First Lady of Anambra State a woman widely celebrated for her grace, decency, and contribution to the state.
“This attempt to drag the First Lady into political mudslinging is not only dishonourable but also politically unwise. Ekwunife has made a strategic miscalculation,” the campaign stated.
SICO emphasized that the Soludo-Ibezim administration stands for ethical and intellectual leadership, and part of its moral reawakening agenda includes rooting out all forms of falsehood and fake influences that threaten to corrupt Anambra’s youth be it through fake native doctors, miracle peddlers, or fake academic degrees.
“Those who parade fake qualifications or titles send a dangerous message to our youth—that hard work and merit no longer matter. This is unacceptable in Anambra. The issue of qualifications is not just legal it is moral, educational, and deeply symbolic.”it stated.
In a recently leaked audio, Senator Ekwunife reportedly admitted she was “already in the mud” and vowed to “throw more mud” at the Soludo-Ibezim team. To this, the campaign responded: “We are not joining her in the mud. We are too busy building roads, schools, hospitals, and a 21st-century economy. Our campaign is not about mud; it’s about substance.”
“We do not take the support of Ndi Anambra for granted. We are working to earn every vote, not through propaganda, but through the value we have delivered and the vision we are presenting. However, the issue of who is qualified to govern this great state will remain central to the campaign—today, tomorrow, and always.”
“Anambra is too sophisticated, too proud, and too forward-looking to be dragged backward by semi-literates or ethically compromised individuals. The people of this state will not allow that to happen.”
