Amanze Chinonye
The political temperature in Anambra State is rising as Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Senator Uche Ekwunife, deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), continue to trade sharp words ahead of the November 8, 2025 governorship election.
The contest, which pits the incumbent governor against a former two-term senator running alongside Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, is one of the most closely watched races in Nigeria. Beyond the personalities, the outcome will shape how the state balances its tradition of political independence with the lure of federal influence under a ruling APC government.
First Lady Enters the Fray
The political tension took a dramatic twist over the weekend when the governor’s wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Frances Soludo, broke her silence in a strongly worded statement responding to what she described as “malicious allegations” by Senator Ekwunife against her, her husband and their children.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMrs. Soludo said she could no longer remain silent after a viral audio circulating on local social media allegedly featured Ekwunife boasting about fabricating damaging claims to hurt the Soludo family. She accused the APC candidate of “crossing a dangerous red line” by dragging her children into political mudslinging and issued a 72-hour ultimatum for Ekwunife to publicly retract the comments or face legal action.
“My weapons are decency, character and grace. I am a long-distance runner, and I welcome you to the marathon,” Mrs. Soludo declared, adding that her lawyers had been put on notice.
In an unusual challenge, the First Lady invited Ekwunife to swear an oath of fidelity before the Blessed Sacrament and to subject both families’ children to paternity tests in three reputable London hospitals, offering to pay all costs.
Mrs. Soludo further stated again in her own words that she has been faithful to her husband throughout their 33-year marriage and had never met the late Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, contrary to claims she said were circulating.
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Performance Under Fire
Senator Ekwunife, on her part, has accused Governor Soludo of “losing touch with governance,” citing insecurity, heavy taxation and what she calls “underwhelming delivery” of campaign promises. She argues that traders and artisans are being burdened by “obnoxious levies.”
The Soludo administration rejects those charges, pointing to official programmes such as free education from nursery through senior secondary school, free antenatal and delivery services, and the One-Youth-Two-Skills youth empowerment scheme as proof of people-centred governance.
Credentials and Counter-Claims
The campaign has also turned personal. Soludo’s team has questioned the academic qualifications of both Ekwunife and her principal, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, alleging that Ukachukwu submitted a General Certificate of Education (GCE) with multiple failing grades and demanding that Ekwunife clarify the source of her PhD. These are allegations from the APGA campaign, which the APC has not formally addressed.
Ekwunife dismisses the attacks as a “smear campaign” meant to distract voters from what she describes as governance failures.
High Stakes for Anambra
The escalating drama underscores a deeper choice for voters: whether to reward Soludo’s welfare-focused record or to embrace an APC ticket that promises a different economic direction and potential federal leverage. Questions over academic credentials, attacks on family honour and the unprecedented woman-versus-woman confrontation have turned the race into a referendum not only on policies but also on values such as integrity, education and gender representation.
What happens on November 8 will determine whether Anambra maintains its tradition of political independence or opens the door to the ruling party at the centre.
The result will signal how much personal scandals, social-media battles and federal influence truly shape electoral decisions in Nigeria’s South-East and may redefine the limits of political decorum in the state for years to come.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
