By Praise Chinecherem
Oil Mogul, Prince Arthur Eze has said that the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, is the expected Nigerian president of Igbo extraction not the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
He said he advised Obi to perish his presidential ambition, but he ( Obi) did not listen to him.
According to a report from Legit.ng, Eze reportedly made some remarks about Obi in the presence of Governor Charles Soludo, traditional rulers, and women groups on Saturday, December 24 on the occasion of the 2022 Ofala festival of HRH Igwe (Dr.) Robert Eze, the traditional ruler of Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state.
The billionaire oil mogul was reported to have said that he was not part of Peter Obi’s presidential aspirations.
He said: “I warned Peter Obi to withdraw from this race but he would not listen. I told him plainly that I am not part of his plans.”
“I told him to drop his ambition and wait for next time. When he told me about his ambition, I asked him the states he thinks he can win in the west and the north – he told me; but I was not convinced. I told him he cannot win; so that he would not waste his time and money.”
Pointing at Soludo, Arthur Eze, said, “This is the person we are tipping to take over as Nigerian president of Igbo extraction in the time to come.
“We have a presidential candidate that we are supporting now. After his tenure, he will hand over to Soludo as president.”
However, a women’s group, Umuada Igbonine Home and Abroad, whose members were present at the occasion, expressed shock at Prince Eze’s comment, describing it as one made under an influence.
Meanwhile, Prince Arthur Eze has come under severe criticisms, over comments against Mr Peter Obi.
Former publicity secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Olisa Metuh has advised Eze to steer clear of politics to avoid infamy.
Metuh who mimicked Eze, refered to him as “My dear Princh”, while insisting that people should focus on their candidate and leave Obi alone.
He said: “Some of us are now non-partisan and will no longer make public comments on our political choices but then, we are not expected to make certain categorical statements. For indeed, no man is God and no man should attempt to play the Almighty role.
“God has blessed you for decades, you have acquired untold riches and unimaginable wealth. Calm down and do not allow political punditry to lead you to infamy and public opprobrium.
“Let all the mini Amadioha’s in our land campaign for their candidates and leave that poor man alone.”
He recounted that similarly, Anambra power brokers had stood against him in previous elections he contested, but he won.
“Obi has been accused severally of not having structure, not having crowd, but he has disappointed them all. Only God knows who the next winner will be,” he said.
Supporters and non supporters of Obi while berating Eze, said his support amounts to less, especially as he has never supported a winning candidate in a presidential election, or even been able to produce a governor in his home state.
Many who wrote on social media said he only had money, but had little sense, while others berated him for supporting an outsider against his brother.
Mr Barth Ifediora who wrote in Igbo said: “This man has money, but lacks sense.”
Harrison Madubueze wrote: “Someone who killed his own brother can not boast to be a warrior.”
