Soludo Warms Up For Anambra Governorship Race?

Leon Usigbe, Abuja - 20.06.2009

Immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, may be warming up to contest the gubernatorial position of Anambra State in the election due to be conducted in January next year.

The tenure of the present governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, expires next year, and even though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to release the timetable for the Anambra poll, many politicians across the major political parties in the state are already priming themselves for the coveted post.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is looking to cash in on the crisis in the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to recapture the governorship seat and believes the involvement of a credible heavyweight like Prof. Soludo could make the contest a walkover.

He is also seen as a possible compromise candidate for the contending factions in the state as his perceived neutrality may enable him to forge a united front among PDP loyalists in Anambra.

Even though the national secretariat of the party had recently thrown its weight behind the Chief Uchenna Emodi-led executive committee in the state, following its victory in the court, party member, led by Chief Ifeatu Okoye, who is loyal to Dr. Andy Ubah, have refused to recognise the executive and are spoiling for war.

Saturday Tribune learnt in Abuja that the former CBN boss might have succumbed to pressure from party members to contest for the post and has apparently decided to channel his energy towards politics, having been unable to secure a renewal of his appointment, though he was eligible for a second tenure at the apex bank.

Despite not openly declaring for the party, Prof. Soludo is known to be very close to the PDP and has, in fact, been active in many of the party’s activities in the past.

A top official of the party, who spoke to Saturday Tribune in confidence, confirmed that since leaving the apex bank, he had started to nurse political ambitions and would be welcome just like other aspirants, if indeed he made up his mind to join the fray.

“As a governorship aspirant, we welcome him to join the other people that have already shown interest and we will see how it goes,” PDP source said.

It added that “Soludo has interest in the PDP and he is close to the party and I think he is a member of the party. I have not confirmed from his ward, but from all the party activities, I can confirm that Prof. Soludo is a member of the PDP.”