Ahead of the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, a political war of words has erupted between the state’s First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, and the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uche Ekwunife.
In a statement released on Saturday, Mrs Soludo accused Ekwunife of spreading “malicious allegations” and “lies,” which, according to her, included dragging her children into political conflicts. She called on Ekwunife to retract her claims and issue a public apology within 72 hours, threatening legal action if she failed to comply.
The controversy was sparked by a viral video in which Ekwunife lashed out at Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, alleging that both were part of the Chinwoke Mbadinuju administration from 1999 to 2003, a period widely regarded as a failure. Ekwunife went on to accuse Mrs Soludo of having questionable dealings with the former governor.
In response to these accusations, Governor Soludo had questioned the authenticity of Ekwunife’s academic qualifications, including her PhD certificate and GCE results, which he claimed were not credible enough for her to hold the deputy governorship position.
Not one to back down, Mrs Soludo fired back, challenging Ekwunife to take a public oath of fidelity and even undergo a DNA test with her children at reputable hospitals in London. In a passionate statement, she stressed that her commitment to her husband, Chukwuma Soludo, had been unwavering throughout their 33 years of marriage.
“I have known only one man, Chukwuma Soludo, in my entire 55 years on this earth. I married him as a virgin, and my fidelity to him is as strong as ever,” Mrs Soludo declared. “This may be hard for an Uche Ekwunife to understand.”
Ekwunife, however, was quick to respond, dismissing Mrs Soludo’s claims and stating that it was not her place to explain matters of her chastity or children’s paternity. According to the APC candidate, “Mrs Nonye Soludo doesn’t owe me any explanation on her chastity or her children’s paternity. Those explanations are owed to her husband.”
She continued, “If Soludo wants to demand a DNA test, she should do so with her full chest. Why involve me in her personal matters?”
Ekwunife maintained that her comments were intended as friendly advice and expressed her intention to avoid engaging in what she deemed as “trivial and diversionary” issues.
