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By Madu Obi
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, Uloka Chibuike, has accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of running a nepotic government, claiming that while his in-law is the defacto governor, his daughter is allocated a staggering amount of money every year for her fashion project.
But in a swift reaction, the state government said there is no iota of truth in Uloka's claim, describing it as a mischievous allegation.
In a terse statement in Awka, Uloka said if it were to be President Bola Tinubu, supporters of Governor Soludo would have accused him of nepotism, alleging that through the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Soludo’s daughter collects N60 million every year for her fashion expo.
According to him, the fashion expo does not contribute any economic value to the state, but rather a channel through which money is siphoned.
The statement read in part: "Professor Soludo had been speaking for a decade about his desire to transform Anambra State into Dubai, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
However, today, Anambra, under Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has returned to the dark era. Charles Soludo’s knee is on the neck of Ndị Anambra; we can’t breathe.
"Following the fight and resignation of former Finance Commissioner, Ifeatu Onejeme, over who would control the state’s finances between him and Soludo’s in-law, who is the de facto governor, Soludo appointed his nephew, Okafor Moses, as the new Commissioner for Finance.
"This decision went against his own public statement that he would not appoint a commissioner from his Aguata local government, not to talk of his own community and kindred.
Reacting to the allegations, the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, described Chibuike as an ignorant person.
He argued that while the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism may choose to support any initiative that is promoting culture and tourism in the state, regardless of who is involved, Adaora, the governor's daughter, funds her fashion shows all by herself.
Aburime said: "The hardworking young lady is resourceful and responsible enough to do her own stuff without pulling the weight of her governor-father or drawing support from the state resources.
"Governor Charles Soludo is too busy working diligently to fulfill his promises to the people of Anambra to be dragged off course with senseless criticisms and baseless allegations every now and then.
"While challenges persist, it is crucial to appreciate the broader vision the governor holds for the state’s future and the intentional efforts he is making to transform Anambra for good.
"There is no amount of toxic trash that can pull this government down. There is no quantity of disoriented subversive elements like Chibuike that can halt the governor in his progressive tracks.
"Anambra State will keep moving forward under Governor Soludo with the kind support of the good people of the state who are breathing free in a safer, saner environment.
"Let Chibuike know that Anambra State is in the early stages of transformation; Rome wasn’t built in a day. The governor is very clear about his vision, unlike Chibuike’s vague and nebulous haze of misrepresentation."
"Sadly, he is either living in a stone-age cave far from Anambra State civilization or he is intentionally too blinded by mischief to see the good work Governor Soludo is doing in diverse sectors of the State."
"There is no amount of toxic trash disguised as public affairs analysis that can pull this government down. There is no quantity of disoriented subversive elements that can halt the governor in his progressive tracks".
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