[size=16]THE TRUTH ABOUT SOLUDO'S DISQUALIFICATION BY APGA.[/size]
August 23, 2013 at 12:43am
 
According to a Sun News paper columnist, "there is no doubt that this thinking had become like an epidemic in Igboland to the extent that the APGA leadership, joined by other interest groups in Igboland made pilgrimages to Chukwuma Soludo to woo him to come forward to carry the banner, just as Ojukwu had been beckoned upon at the people's hour of needs, to do the needful. It is not true as many non-informed people claim that Soludo's decision to resign from the PDP to cross over to APGA was an act of political harlotry as has become typical in Nigeria. It was rather a fact that he was recruited and asked to join the mass movement of his kith-and-kin, in the spirit of our history. The APGA 'Cock' symbol was that of Zik's NCNC, and it was not by accident that it also became that of the party founded by the late General Ojukwu".
 
APGA currently looks like a collapsed party, damaged by circumstances that are mainly its own invention and which may as well cost it the governorship in the elections. The matters being questioned behind closed doors, and in which every political strategist and policymaker is grappling with, is whether the party can retain power in Anambra state. It is our view that APGA can retain power if it is capable to address the critical issues facing the party. Experience has shown that political parties that are internally fragmented and beset with resentment, greed, infighting and bickering also find it challenging to present a credible and winnable candidate and convincing message to the electorates. Internal squabbles and infighting are the most serious challenge that might impede APGA from winning the governorship election. Whether viewed from outside or inside the party, there are plenty indications that the party and state as they are now are more fragmented, and overwhelmed with problems that are slowly destroying the party's prospects of power retention. The first internal problem that must be resolved at all cost has to do with the Chukwuma Soludo, and his aggrieved followers. Chukwuma Soludo remains a force within the party despite his being a new entrant. He commands a respectable reputation with Anamberians. So far as the party supporters are concerned, the disqualification of Chukwuma Soludo is a problem that has to be adequately resolved.
 
APGA badly needs Chukwuma Soludo who commands huge popularity among the party supporters particularly the electorates in vital constituencies. Therefore, to disqualify Chukwuma Soludo is to antagonize his diehard supporters. This is why the communication team at the governor's office and the party headquarters must begin to use every channel and possible strategy to bring Chukwuma Soludo back. Paffcomm sources revealed that some of the squabbles that are undermining the party chances of winning the governorship election emanated from the presidency. The president is against Soludo being the governor of Anambra state due to the disagreement and Soludo critical views of Yaradua's administration when he was the vice president under Yaradua, The president claimed that Soludo was disrespectful to him when he was the vice president and the refusal of Soludo to serve under his government when the president invited him were among the reasons he did not want Soludo to be the governor of Anambra state. Other reasons why the president has sworn not to allow Soludo to be the governor of Anambra State is also the fear that Soludo might be the stumbling block to his re election in 2015. Another reason is that of the concerns of the north and west and some influential and wealthy Igbo men and women who have properties outside the shores of Igboland, that Soludo with the executive power and as state elected governor including the world recognition of his intellectualism and who has served many world organisations and having experienced the queer ways the Igbos serving in the federal government are stigmatized with second class status, will command support from world bodies when eventually in 2015 Igbos decide to secede from the Nigerian republic.
 
You would remember that a few weeks ago, Ohaneze Indi-Igbo held a meeting to demand reparation to the Igbos killed and Igbo properties destroyed during the war. There is fear that if Nigeria does not meet these demands, Igbos might choose to go their way. This conference was finally held to enforce this by Ohanaze Ndigbo even though Governor Obi and some notable Igbo leaders like Chief Ojo Maduekwe are already kicking against it  because of their multimillion naira properties that are scattered all over the federation. Ozobu,  revealed that Governor Obi was asked to draw a list of Ime-Obi members for a meeting of the caucus where their (governors) recommendation for the conduct of fresh election of national executives of Ohanaeze would be tabled, and a new electoral committee drawn for the organisation to move forward. Regretably, Governor Obi knowing fully well that reparation to the Igbos would be discussed which may invariably lead to the secession of the Igbos, refused to do what Ohaneze asked him to do because of his personal interests. Chief Ojo Maduekwe has already started screaming that Igbo properties scattered all over the federation is worth more than what we have in all states in Igbo land. Therefore, Igbos should not think of seceding but remain second class citizens in Nigeria. Hence he can be appointed minister or ambassador over and over again.
 
Paffcomm’s investigation also revealed that  some notable Igbo leaders out of fear of Soludo's intimidating resume are afraid that if he becomes the governor of Anambra state, he would take over the mantle of leadership of Igbos and being a no nonsense man, would not habour them because of their questionable characters. It was also revealed that governors from other eastern states fought against Soludo’s candidacy, fearing that if he is allowed to contest, he would certainly win and then go on to implement his programs which would floor every so called achievements they claim to have made as governors, thereby pitching them against the electorates who would then begin to question what they did with the state funds, thereby exposing them as corrupt governors which would result in their political careers being destroyed.
Another reason is the foreign interests in Anambra oil and gas exploration which Chukwuma Soludo made clear in a meeting with stake holders that he would not allow foreign companies to carry out oil exploration in Anambra state due to their disturbing activities in the states they have been involved. Our sources revealed that while the selected governorship aspirants in APGA and some top aspirants in other parties signed to uphold the decision of the president and oil companies, only Chukwuma Soludo refused to sign or abide by the decision, resulting in his disqualification. Chukwuma Soludo’s disqualification is not only from the presidency but also multinational oil companies. The decision for his disqualification was reached during governor Obi's vacation with the president during the Muslim cerebration.
 
Another block that fought vigorously for the disqualification of Chukwuma Soludo are the proprietors of the failed banks. Their grievances with Chukwuma Soludo stemmed from his crack down on the banks that did not meet bank establishment requirements and his refusal to bail out the banks in distress which led to the merger and closure of many banks. You would recall that some of the closed banks did not have enough financial base to survive as banks especially during the world economic recession which is still battering the economies of some countries in Europe. Most of the closed banks were established by politicians and retired generals to syphon government funds to their foreign accounts. Not only did Soludo close the banks, but he also blocked every available means of manipulating the central bank through contract payments and transfer of stolen funds to foreign accounts. Another reason but not too significant is the huge perception within the rank and file of the party that people who did not contribute to the party's electoral victory in 2010 now want to reap the benefits, while those who fought for the party appeared to have been sidelined. Most Party members do not think and feel that they have so far had that political space for which they dedicated their times, energies and resources during the 2010 electioneering campaign.
 
The pressing concern now is how to convince Chukwuma Soludo’s supporters to put their weights behind whoever emerges from APGA. This is a huge problem for the governor and the party, given the fact that any gesture by the governor might be seen by people as an attempt to use them to win the election for his crony who would come to cover his jackass and dance to the tune of multinational oil companies that have been fighting to establish their presence in Anambra state. Also important is how to convince Chukwuma Soludo’s supporters in the party hierarchy who in the first place went to his house and persuaded him to join the party and contest for governor of Anambra state. Within the party hierarchy, there are clear signals that there are divisions and acrimonies going on. A careful reading of the hand writing on the wall gives an indication that there is behind the scene conflict between executives regarding the disqualification of Chukwuma Soludo. The acrimonies are between members who wanted Chukwuma Soludo to be re-screened and those who collected financial inducement from the presidency, multinational oil companies and failed bank directors including those with personal interest in Anambra state derivation funds who wanted the matter to be swept under the carpet. From what has transpired over a couple of days, it appears that there is the fear among some executive members and screening committee members who were financially induced that the recall of Soludo may be their grave as their masters - the bribe givers - will certainly come after them which is the reason the infighting has deepened and the hurried decision of the APGA appeal to uphold the decision of the screening committee. However, it will eventually lead to some members being sacked very soon.
 
Nevertheless, from the way things look in the party, it appears that serious work has to be done by party executives and governor Obi to resolve all party conflicts, bring calm, discipline, unify all the factions and instill mutual respect and understanding, so as to build a coalition that can work to bring victory. That is if the government is willing to get the cooperation of key members and the Chukwuma Soludo teeming supporters then it must soften its position by bringing back Soludo, bury old scores and build alliances with all those that matter in the party, including the aggrieved old members who feel excluded from the party. Governor Obi also must cancel the governorship zoning system or the zoning system will in the future create division in the state and turn constituencies against each other as experienced in PDP whenever there is an election. Allow the best to lead the State. Fashola came from a different state to govern Lagos, and he is doing well. Creating zoning system in Anambra state is a dangerous legacy that will destroy the state in the future. However, which ever way one looks at the party internal wrangling, factionalism, disunity, accusations and counter accusations, one thing is certain. Chukwuma Soludo will win if allowed to contest for governor of Anambra. Any other candidate apart from Chukwuma Soludo is bound to fail. APGA should not test the people's will.
 
Igbos’ destruction during the civil war and the effects is present not only on the ground but also in our characters and personalities. Our leaders lack the mental ability to create an environment that would help Ndigbo to recover from the mental and physical wounds they incured during the war. Anambra requires a visionary leader like Soludo who has experienced the indignity accorded to Igbos who serve their nation in federal service. Give Soludo a chance to repair our battered mentality, state of mind, inferiority complex and our state and the Igbos race in general and bring home our people. Time has come for us to say no to Hausa or Yoruba or white man inducing us with money and political appointment or to tell us who should govern us. It is time for us to decide our leader by ourselves. It is time for us to liberate ourselves from mental slavery. Igbos, wake up and determine your future.

We are holding ourselves down!
If we miss the opportunity to design our destiny now, we will lose it forever, or at least until Nigeria breaks up.

And this is why i have little sympathy for what the President is going through with those that want to see him turfed out of Aso Rock in 2015! You can't complain of victimisation and on the other hand visit it on others by stealth! Karma is an ugly bitc/h!