A statement by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi about his relationship with Governor Chukwuma Soludo has sparked a clarification from the office of the Anambra First Lady.
Obi had said he and his wife were godparents to Soludo’s children while speaking at the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ conference in Enugu on Friday.
The former governor made the comment while dismissing suggestions that his recent political differences with Soludo had resulted in a personal dispute.
According to Obi, the relationship between the two families was close enough for him and his wife to serve as godparents to Soludo’s children.
He said:
“People might not know, my wife and I are godparents to Soludo’s children. Yes, we are that close.”
Obi further said he would embrace Soludo if they met and insisted that they were not quarrelling.
Aide asks public to disregard claim
Reacting to the widely circulated video, Daniel Ezeigwe, media aide to First Lady Nonye Soludo, said his office received inquiries from members of the public about Obi’s statement.
Ezeigwe subsequently clarified that Peter Obi is not a godfather to any of Governor Soludo’s children.
The aide said the statement was issued to set the record straight following the attention generated by Obi’s remarks.
Obi and Soludo maintain different political positions
The comments were made against the backdrop of recent disagreements between Obi and Soludo over Anambra State’s finances and the legacy of Obi’s administration.
Despite those disagreements, Obi has publicly rejected suggestions of a personal feud with Soludo.
At the Guild of Editors conference, he described Soludo as a respected elder brother and said political disagreements should not automatically translate into personal hostility.
The conflicting statements over the alleged godparent relationship have now added another point of public discussion between the former governor and the current administration.
