By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) on Sunday chided former Central Bank Governor (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo, for talking down on candidates that presented WAEC as their qualifications for the November 6 governorship poll in Anambra State.

Soludo who made mockery of the candidates during the formal launch of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship campaign at the Ekwueme Square in Awka had described Anambra State as being too sophisticated to be governed by a school certificate holder.

The party said the former CBN Governor has ridiculed himself by becoming a political puppet of the outgoing Governor Wille Obiano, in the ignoble design to sustain failed leadership in the state.

Disclosing this in a statement, Spokesman of ZLP Campaign Council, Mr. Afam Dozie Ofomata, said that as far as the November 6, 2021 governorship election is concerned, Soludo is never a match to its candidate, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo.

The statement reads: “We note his happiness in becoming the political son of outgoing Governor Obiano and his willingness to be used to detain Anambra State on the tortuous road of failed leadership and disdain for public interests.

“It is indeed pathetic that Prof. Soludo is coming out to seek the governorship seat after his infamous claim that “it is not broken.” As a man, long used to theories, Soludo has failed to hear the verdict of Ndi Anambra that Anambra is broken and therefore needs serious and urgent mending

“The governorship election in the state is now time for reckoning; to know, not only those who stand for the people, but also those who speak the truth for public good rather than twist facts for personal ambitions.

“In fact, the sorry state of affairs in Anambra State and the derogatory names Ndi Anambra call the outgoing governor have been traced to the poor counsel Soludo has been offering the failed APGA led administration.

“It is public knowledge that Soludo have never had anything to offer Ndi Anambra. Prof. Soludo cannot comfortably point to any landmark project for the benefit of Ndi Anambra in his 5 years as CBN governor, even a project as ordinary as a hospital he raised money for in memory of his mother is abandoned.

“Instead, he engaged in disdaining and talking down on honest and hardworking Ndi Anambra to the extent of asserting that compatriots who strived to attain the level First School Leaving Certificate or WAEC are not fit to govern.

“Now that Soludo is in the INEC list, we will see how he would tell the many very successful Anambra businessmen and women that do not have First School Leaving Certificate and WAEC, why he wants their votes.

“In any case, we know that Prof. Soludo is no match for our candidate, the people’s candidate, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, a humble, honest, highly resourceful, practical, successful administrator and businessman, who is loved by Ndi Anambra and has continued to bestow and empower them in many sectors of life.

“Ndi Anambra are gifted people who are not moved by rhetoric and certificates alone. That is why ZLP is happy that our flag bearer, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, has excelled in character, learning and earning as well as making others earn their living and live their dreams without talking down on them.

“We therefore congratulate Soludo for joining the governorship contest in Anambra State, because he would soon learn that talk is cheap.”

Ofomata said Anambra people across board are resolute in their resolve to take back their state on the platform of the coalition, ZLP with Dr. Obiora Okonkwo as their standard bearer.

According to him, no form of manipulation can alter the resolve.

“It is therefore clear that Soludo do not fit into the mould of the leader Ndi Anambra yearn for in this election. If Soludo does not see the sorry state that Anambra has degenerated, then he has no business aspiring to be governor. This is because, a genuine ambition to serve the people should be predicated on itemising the problems and recommending workable solutions.

“In fact, the sorry state of affairs in Anambra state and the derogatory names that Ndi Anambra call the outgoing governor have been traced to the poor counsel Soludo has been offering the failed APGA-led administration.

“Unfortunately, the era when politicians use lies and deception to get into public offices is gone. Ndi Anambra know the kind of state they wish for themselves, especially the kind of governor they want to clear the mess that APGA has created in the state.

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