Ex-PSC Chairman Raises Alarm Over Soludo’s Attack on Obi, Calls for Ohanaeze, Monarchs’ Intervention
Chief Simon Okeke
Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke, has raised the alarm over what he described as an alleged display of hatred and envy by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, towards Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the forthcoming 2027 general election.
The elder statesman warned that the development could undermine Igbo unity and damage the image of Ndigbo across Nigeria if urgent steps were not taken to address the situation.
Chief Okeke, who disclosed that he had been in the United States since late August for routine medical checks, expressed disbelief and disgust over the unfolding situation.
He called for urgent intervention to prevent further damage to the unity and collective interests of the Igbo people.
In a message addressed to Senator John Azuta Mbata, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha; and Igwe Amb. Christian Uchechukwu Agubuzu, Coordinating Chairman of the South-East Traditional Rulers Council, Okeke expressed concern about the implications of the disagreement for the perception of Ndigbo by other Nigerians.
He described the development as a major setback to Igbo unity, warning that its consequences could linger for a long time if urgent measures were not taken to resolve the situation.
“Our guess is as good as yours what can now be the perception of Ndigbo to the rest of the country. What remedy can you think of? How can further damage be mitigated?” he asked in the message.
The former Police Service Commission chairman lamented that the situation was making the Igbo people a subject of ridicule across the country.
He insisted that the development must be halted before it caused further damage to the collective image, dignity and interests of the ethnic group.
He appealed to the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the traditional rulers to use their influence and leadership positions to calm tensions and prevent the disagreement from deepening divisions among Igbo leaders.
As a possible way forward, the elder statesman proposed a closed-door meeting involving the key actors, with some prominent traditional rulers participating, to facilitate dialogue and secure an immediate resolution.
“Perhaps you may invite them for a closed-door discussion with you and some of our leading traditional rulers,” he suggested.
Okeke urged the Igbo leadership to take whatever immediate measures were necessary to halt further damage, stressing the need to protect the unity, dignity and collective interests of Ndigbo.
The appeal comes amid tensions surrounding the political relationship between Governor Soludo and Obi, whose national political profile has made their interactions a subject of considerable public interest.
