[size=16pt]Soludo’s governorship ambition stopped [/size]
WRITTEN BY SAHARA REPORTERS, NEW YORK    
FRIDAY, 04 DECEMBER 2009 15:57







         


Soludo and his "Godfathers"


Justice Mary Odili of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, today squelched the ambition of Dr. Charles Chukwuma Soludo to emerge as Anambra governor in governorship election scheduled for February 6, 2010. Justice Odili killed Soludo’s bid for the office by ordering the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) not to recognize the controversial former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2010 polls in Anambra State. The justice also restrained Soludo from parading himself as the party’s candidate and ordered him to stop further campaign activities.
The ruling resulted from a case filed by aggrieved aspirants upset about the “backdoor” and undemocratic method adopted by some PDP honchos to select the former CBN governor as the party’s candidate. An earlier attempt by the group to stop Soludo failed at an Abuja High Court before the group approached the appellate court.

Indications emerged late last night that the case was going against Soludo, whose activities as at the CBN have been inviting growing scrutiny in recent weeks. An impeccable source informed Sahareporters.com that Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa had tried to persuade Justice Odili “not to throw the Peoples Democratic Party in turmoil with any restraining order as the party cannot afford to loose in the Anambra polls.” Our source, a senior advocate of Nigeria, told this medium that Mr. Aondoakaa was mounting pressure on Justice Odili as late as 11 pm last night.


The unraveling of Soludo’s political dreams also became apparent in the court when Justice Odili refused an application by Mr. Wole Oke, the PDP’s national legal adviser, to change the December 14 date fixed for the hearing of the substantive appeal to an earlier date. The presiding justice retorted that the court merely indulged the Party by sitting on the matter today as the panel members were supposed to be with their colleagues at a book launch in honor of the former President of the Court of Appeal who retired yesterday.

In the wake of the court’s ruling, the PDP officials cried wolf at the restraining order, describing it as “strange and curious.” The party contended that none of the parties in the matter had asked for the order that the court granted, accusing the panel of raising an issue on its own.

In delivering judgment on the call by the appellant counsel, Mr. Abubakar Sanni, for an injunctive order, Justice Odili noted that the court was mindful of the essence of time in the matter as well as the need to preserve the res – that is the subject matter of the case. The restraining order, she explained, was to ensure that the court is not over reached. She then adjourned hearing on the matter to 14th December.

Soludo’s lawyer, Mr. Patrick Ikwueto, also hinted that his client would contest the order at the Supreme Court. He called on Soludo’s supporters in the court to remain steadfast as all hope is not lost.

Today’s ouster of Soludo as a player in the gubernatorial election generated widespread celebration in several camps, including INEC whose chairman, Mr. Maurice Iwu, had vowed never to allow Soludo to become governor. INEC had informed the court that it is not perturbed by the order, describing INEC as merely an electoral umpire that has to be independent.

Iwu’s grouse against Soludo began in the run-up to the 2007 elections when former President Olusegun Obasanjo empowered the CBN governor to award the contract for ballot papers. “Iwu felt that Professor Soludo took away his feeding bottle,” said our source, referring to the kick back that the INEC chairman wanted, but which an equally corrupt Soludo hijacked.

Relations between the two men degenerated further when Soludo openly disparaged Iwu, calling him “a foolish man,” during a meeting the two men held with Obasanjo after the Supreme Court ordered INEC to put former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s name on the presidential ballot. Iwu and Soludo traded blames before Obasanjo over who was responsible for not printing standby ballots with Atiku’s name on them.

Two sources within INEC informed Saharareporters that the INEC chairman welcomed Justice Odili’s verdict as offering a window for Iwu’s plan to deliver Anambra state to his “master,” Mr. Andy Uba who is finalizing plans to pick up the governorship ticket of the Labour Party to enable him to participate in the election. “Iwu has promised Andy that he will win once he takes part in the election,” said one of our INEC sources. The information was corroborated by a source close to Mr. Uba.

With Soludo out of the way, Iwu is said to be happy that the ruling party would not breathe down his neck to rig Anambra for the PDP. The source added that Uba and Iwu have perfected a plan whereby Uba would be announced as the winner on the platform of the Labour Party, and then he would “do an Ohakim game by declaring back for the PDP.” That way, Uba would argue that he made a strategic move to bring Anambra under the PDP fold.

Uba and Iwu have not forgiven PDP officials for “their lackadaisical stand” during Mr. Uba’s efforts to bribe the Court of Appeal in Enugu to rule that he was “governor-in-waiting.” Both the INEC chair and Andy Uba blame Soludo for drawing the party away from supporting Uba’s quest. Uba’s drive for the state governorship finally fell like a pack of cards when the Appeal Court in the Enugu Division unanimously ruled against him.

A source within the Central Bank told Saharareporters that the current governor of the bank was incensed that the Yar’adua regime had encouraged Soludo to run for office at a time of widespread scrutiny of his handling of the Nigerian banking sector. “I can tell you that, without President Yar’adua backing him, Professor Soludo would have been exposed and picked up the EFCC,” said the high-ranking source at the CBN. He added that Soludo benefited from covering up the decay in the Nigerian banking sector.

Soludo’s critics have persistently charged that he was desperate to become a governor as a way of buying himself immunity from prosecution over the unfolding banking fraud that he oversaw while he was at the head of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

An EFCC source told Saharareporters that a former bank CEO currently standing trial had told EFCC investigators that Soludo ought to be prosecuted along with them if the anti-corruption agency wishes to get to the root of the banking crisis.

“Don’t rule out his eventual arrest and prosecution,” the CBN source told us, adding that current CBN governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has refrained from commenting on Soludo’s misdeeds because Yar’adua and his powerful wife, Turai, had thrown their weight behind Soludo’s political make-over.

A source who worked briefly on Soludo’s campaigns told Saharareporters that the former CBN governor actually hopes to become a strong presidential candidate in the 2015 elections. “His plan is to use the funds of Anambra to settle the emirs and other Northern politicians to buy their support for his presidential bid,” said the source.


http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4443:soludos-governorship-ambition-stopped&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18

Guess the names of these two unarmed robbers?.

If Bode George, Fani Kayode and Tafa Balogun were tried for their transgressions, why did Andy Uba go scot free?

Aloy,
dont you think the caption of your story should have been more on iwu and andy.
But why do you guys quote sahara reporters in spite of all their crap.

Why are you confusing me,there are many thief in anambra :andy uba,chris,soludo,ngige, Which one are we talking about aloy~emeka

Ngige is no thief. The guy is about the best governor Anambra has ever had.

So the other three are!

Adultrated Journalism + Political Enslavement

It is really terrible that we(humans) can never comprehend the true motives of one another.

There are hidden activities in Obasanjo's regime, more emanating from the Yar'adua regime, with SH publishing information without true sources and relevance, I don't think we will be going anywhere by 2010/2011 elections.

Soludo, Sanusi, Andy, Iwu, Aloy-Emeka, SH, etc who are you working for?

the odili's have just shot themselves on the foot. i dey see danger! danger!, wahala dey! wahala dey!

I thought ngige once stole obi's mandate, How come he now becomes a saint,

Justice Odili and Uba camp are just playing their last moon dance . . . . No amount of underhand game/litigations would stop Cee Cee Soludo from becoming the Governor of my state in 2010.
Soludo is the Solution.

Justice Odili is just taking her pound of flesh. Remember her husband lost his bank as a result of the banking consolidation carried out by Cee Cee Soludo. What they don't know is that Soludo is smarter that all of them.

Nairalanders are mischievous at times,this caption is misleading as I thought the incumbent had been banned

metal-gong:

Justice Odili and Uba camp are just playing their last moon dance . . . . No amount of underhand game/litigations would stop Cee Cee Soludo from becoming the Governor of my state in 2010.

I fear you may be right. The PDP has declared Anambra a "must win". We saw what they did in Ekiti when they declared that State a "must win" also. Let us see if the People of Anambra will fare better against PDP tyranny than the folks in Ekiti did.

Soludo is the Solution.

He is not and I hope he gets nowhere near the Governorship seat. Wether we want to admit it or not , it is obvious that Soludo provide an enabling enviroment for stealing. Questionably , he too became a very rich man.  He is also extremely comfortable in the company of those who have destroyed Nigeria. When a man like Anenih is your Godfather you must surely reward him "handsomely" when the time comes. We can all remember how Chris Uba held Ngige to ransom because he wanted to be 'sorted' for his work to make Ngige Governor. while Ngige resisted his godfather when called upon to deliver the keys to the Anambra coffers , probably because he means well for his people , Soludo will not do that. He is morally bankrupt , IMO , and will simply deliver Anambra's treasury to his many godfathers .

I think Soludo has done enough to show that he is elitist, corrupt and callously ambitious in a "do-or-die" manner . If Nigerians are pragmatic and unemotional then I don't see how anyone can support Soludo's ambition.

@Gbawe/Alloy,
Say whatever you like but Soludo will surely emerge as our governor in 2010.
He's the best candidate as far as Anambra state is concerned.

cantell:

@Gbawe/Alloy,
Say whatever you like but Soludo will surely emerge as our governor in 2010.
He's the best candidate as far as Anambra state is concerned.

How much is he paying you for this publicity?

saintneo:

Adultrated Journalism + Political Enslavement

It is really terrible that we(humans) can never comprehend the true motives of one another.

There are hidden activities in Obasanjo's regime, more emanating from the Yar'adua regime, with SH publishing information without true sources and relevance, I don't think we will be going anywhere by 2010/2011 elections.

Soludo, Sanusi, Andy, Iwu, Aloy-Emeka, SH, etc who are you working for?

There is no honor among thieves. Remove my name from your list cos I work for me.

i guess no more dubai for us

We can still get Sidney or Brisbane.

Sunny_bobo:

Justice Odili is just taking her pound of flesh. Remember her husband lost his bank as a result of the banking consolidation carried out by Cee Cee Soludo. What they don't know is that Soludo is smarter that all of them.

and which bank might that be?

Sunny_bobo:

Justice Odili is just taking her pound of flesh. Remember her husband lost his bank as a result of the banking consolidation carried out by Cee Cee Soludo. What they don't know is that Soludo is smarter that all of them.

mistaken identity.
it is not her own Odili but Chief Victor Odili, one of the owners of HiTv and the owner of Aeromaritime.

Aloy Emeka

When you accuse someone of being paid for holding the view they hold you confirm that you have already been paid for holding yours because regardless of the political view you hold somebody somewhere stands to benefit.

So you might like to start by telling us who has paid you to smear Soludo.

Meanwhile be aware that Soludo has neither been finally stopped nor banned because the Supreme Court will set aside Mary Odili's ruling. Courts have no business chosing nor endorsing nor rejecting party political candidates.

Justice Mary Odili should be ashamed of herself. She should spend more time appologising on behalf of her husband for the attrocities they committed instead trying to decide Anambra politics for Anambra people.

This is a duplication of a post i already have on a thread and also my take on that thread
by aloy~Emeka which was locked by the admin before i could come in.
Soludo is intelligent, educated and smart no doubt***But I am convinced, you don't need a professional to do a good job in public office.**my take, that Soludo worked well_{(though i strong smell something yet to come)} as CBN Governor does not mean he can perform as a state Governor in Anambra state.
Soludo coming out for the governorship position in Anambra  state at this time is badly timed and ill advised, for me it is an insatiable urge for power
usually possessed by those who have tested it***and a desperate attempt by the PDP to recaputure Anambra state.
It will be unfair for me to call him a thief but i must say that there are so many unanswered questions surrounding his candidacy and the money he
is throwing around.
as al0y emeka rightly quoted before****“By doubting we come to question, and by questioning, we perceive the truth.” (Peter Abelard, 1079-1142)
Lets us then look at his strong opposition which is Ngige****any political minded person heard, knew or saw what happened in Anambra state during
his time but one thing i want to point out was that the man(Ngige) had to make a choice***
1st Choice was to loot Anambra state tresuery,thereby making some people like Chris Uba rich and making himsel richer becuase he is the one in charge of the *money* he will also be working in a condusive environment to the detriment of Anambra State People
2nd Choice***to disobey his God-father, make less money for himself and  work for the *betterment* of Anambra state people

He choose the second option,**and the battle of supremacy in Anambra plotics ensured.
I respect Prof. Charles Soludo but Ngige is my man for Anambra state Governorship, and the people of Anambra state knows it, *vox populi vox Dei*
Let your conscience be the judge,

mikeansy:

Meanwhile be aware that Soludo has neither been finally stopped nor banned because the Supreme Court will set aside Mary Odili's ruling. Courts have no business chosing nor endorsing nor rejecting party political candidates.

Justice Mary Odili should be ashamed of herself. She should spend more time appologising on behalf of her husband for the attrocities they committed instead trying to decide Anambra politics for Anambra people.

Yes Soludo has not been finally stopped,Supreme court might rule in his favour_{with the help of his Godfather**abi na Godmother} but note that the case was taken to court first by his Party members who were wronged by the selection method used for choosing him as the flag bearer,

I dnt c d reasn y u ppl ar mekin unnecesary arguemnt ova wat we dnt knw abt, u ppl ar sayin bad tins abt odili,uba,ngige n soludo,wat abt u? Wat was ur efort so far as a Anambraian? Is quite a pity we dnt knw wat we nid, sum talk hw soludo bankrupt CBN, airn't u steal sumbdy tins? C,no body is pafet evn me,so d best tin is 2 try soludo,i gues,he wil try mor dan previous governors cos Anambra nid 2 b develop,althou,i like ngige vry wel,bt dia is no free n fair election in Anambra state,so lets try dis opportunity( soludo)

What next now for Soludo and his godfathers

Ikem44:

I dnt c d reasn y u ppl ar mekin unnecesary arguemnt ova wat we dnt knw abt, u ppl ar sayin bad tins abt odili,uba,ngige n soludo,wat abt u? Wat was your efort so far as a Anambraian? Is quite a pity we dnt knw wat we nid, sum talk hw soludo bankrupt CBN, airn't u steal sumbdy tins? C,no body is pafet evn me,so d best tin is 2 try soludo,i gues,he wil try mor dan previous governors cos Anambra nid 2 b develop,althou,i like ngige vry wel,bt dia is no free n fair election in Anambra state,so lets try dis opportunity( soludo)

What are you talking about? how could you say that Soludo is an opportunity*** opportunity based on what?***if there is something you know, then bring it out and stop strolling around the bush. Chukwuma Charles Soludo have disrespected himself by running for Governor in Anambra state. As an economist and a professor there are other ways he could be more useful to his state and Nigeria as a whole. He should have gone back to school and impact his knowledge and wealth of experience. His governorship ambition has exposed the kind of person he really is, We all need to stress becoming a better people 1st and foremost regardless of our education or training,then we can rule with common sense.**Take a greedy person through law school or medical school,what you get is a greedy doctor and a greedy lawyer.
GIGO.

Pssshhhh. . . . .

This ruling will be overturned.
Just watch.

@Omo igbo,
It should be.

OMO IBO:

Pssshhhh. . . . .

This ruling will be overturned.
Just watch.

cantell:

@Omo igbo,
It should be.

We are waiting and watching, nothing do us!

danexd:

This is a duplication of a post i already have on a thread and also my take on that thread
by aloy~Emeka which was locked by the admin before i could come in.
Soludo is intelligent, educated and smart no doubt***But I am convinced, you don't need a professional to do a good job in public office.**my take, that Soludo worked well_{(though i strong smell something yet to come)} as CBN Governor does not mean he can perform as a state Governor in Anambra state.
Soludo coming out for the governorship position in Anambra  state at this time is badly timed and ill advised, for me it is an insatiable urge for power
usually possessed by those who have tested it***and a desperate attempt by the PDP to recaputure Anambra state.
It will be unfair for me to call him a thief but i must say that there are so many unanswered questions surrounding his candidacy and the money he
is throwing around.
as al0y emeka rightly quoted before****“By doubting we come to question, and by questioning, we perceive the truth.” (Peter Abelard, 1079-1142)
Lets us then look at his strong opposition which is Ngige****any political minded person heard, knew or saw what happened in Anambra state during
his time but one thing i want to point out was that the man(Ngige) had to make a choice***
1st Choice was to loot Anambra state tresuery,thereby making some people like Chris Uba rich and making himsel richer becuase he is the one in charge of the *money* he will also be working in a condusive environment to the detriment of Anambra State People
2nd Choice***to disobey his God-father, make less money for himself and  work for the *betterment* of Anambra state people

He choose the second option,**and the battle of supremacy in Anambra plotics ensured.
I respect Prof. Charles Soludo but Ngige is my man for Anambra state Governorship, and the people of Anambra state knows it, *vox populi vox Dei*
Let your conscience be the judge,


[size=13pt]Yes Soludo has not been finally stopped,Supreme court might rule in his favour_{with the help of his Godfather**abi na Godmother} but note that the case was taken to court first by his Party members who were wronged by the selection method used for choosing him as the flag bearer, [/size]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your retorts. I particularly liked that you included the part I chose to highlight there in font 13 and bold. 

It is a shame that soludo thought the only way to get into that seat, is by playing "GODFATHER" politics, the same that Yar adua played to get in office. Only, I am amazed at how short people's memories are in Nigeria.

OMO IBO:

Pssshhhh. . . . .

This ruling will be overturned.
Just watch.

Is that how they overturn judgments in Nigeria?