By Praise Chinecherem
Former President-General of Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Mr. Sylvester Odife Jnr has accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of pursuing ideals and ideology which are at variance with that of Ndigbo.
Odife in a statement said since Soludo’s ascendancy to office, his actions seemed to suggest that he is not in conformity with the goals of Ndigbo.
“First of all, Soludo started to do everything possible to stop sit-at-home undermining the factor that ignited it.
“He went ahead to obtain authority from power that be to use soldiers to wipe out criminals in the forest of Anambra State but after that operations it is only him who knows how many criminals they killed”.
Odife who also was chairman of Onitsha Main Market Traders’ Union (OMMATU) said the market leader, also boasted that the operation was successful.
“As if that was not enough, he demonstrated the highest venom against Ndigbo and Nigerians in general when he said a lot of unprintable words against Nigeria’e hopeful Presidential candidate in the person of Peter Obi (Okwute Ndi Nigeria) whose rising profile is divine, very unprecedented , never seen in the history of Nigeria”.
Odife said he recalled that Late Senate President, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo did similar thing to the Great Zik of Africa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, lamenting that Soludo forgot to see the spiritual aspect of Obi’s unprecedented rise in profile politcally.
“When you speak against him, the rising popularity will alarmingly increase. That shows the Grace of God is upon him”, said Odife.
Ironically, said Odife, Soludo who wanted Ndigbo to stop Monday Sit -at -home for Nnamdi Kanu, has turned around to tell Federal Government that releasing Nnadi Kalu is panacea for peace in South East. The latest, he said, is that he is currently erecting a giant bill board at Awka for Nnamdi Kanu.
“But the question is why is it now that the election is barely few weeks to go? The erection is to reduce the popular votes of Obi in the South East. l want to remind Prof. Soludo that when the grace of God is upon a person, what ever any other person is doing is like pouring water on a brick wall.
“Please my Governor, Nigerians, both at home and in diaspora have decided. The retired Generals who fought for the unity of this country have echoed their endorsement for Obi. Nigerians see him as their last hope . Youth, men and women see him as their only hope” Odife said.
Odife whose father was a lawmaker in the Second Republic, founder of Onitsha Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (OMATA) and its Secretary General, said God in Peter Obi is giving Nigerians the last chance, saying ” He found Peter Obi as a worthy vessel of honour to use to liberate us from the misdeeds of the past and present leaders of the country such as : corruption , injustices ,nepotism.. favouritism. inequalities”. .
He said: “Obi symbolises the hope for the oppressed NIgerians. He has the competence, character and will power to navigate the country out of its myriads of problems”.