A fresh wave of political tension has emerged in Anambra State following allegations leveled against Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, accused of orchestrating a targeted campaign of intimidation and harassment against Senator Uche Ekwunife, CON.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Tony Ezike, Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, the Soludo-led administration is accused of fostering an environment of hostility towards opposition figures, particularly Senator Ekwunife, a former federal lawmaker and a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ezike described the continuous smear attacks on Ekwunife—first pushed anonymously and now openly advanced by Soludo’s media aide, Chinedu Obigwe—as “a threat to democracy and a reflection of political desperation.”
“The smear campaign, first pushed by anonymous social media accounts and now openly championed by Soludo’s media aide, Chinedu Obigwe, reflects an alarming trend of political suppression,” the statement said. “Obigwe’s most recent comments, in which he labeled Senator Ekwunife’s lawful campaign activities as criminal, illustrate an attitude that is not only undemocratic but deeply troubling.”
Ezike decried the labeling of Ekwunife’s voter engagement efforts as criminal, describing it as “absurd and dangerous.” He warned that such narratives endanger democratic values and silence women leaders through systemic harassment and defamation.
He also accused Governor Soludo of remaining silent in the face of misogynistic attacks aimed at Senator Ekwunife, calling the silence “complicity.”
“The repeated attacks on Senator Ekwunife, a private citizen not currently in government, further reveal a desperate effort to diminish the influence of a woman whose leadership, integrity, and development impact are widely acknowledged,” Ezike stated.
Drawing a sharp contrast between Senator Ekwunife and the governor’s wife, Ezike asserted that the former senator outshines in public service, political relevance, academic record, and community impact.
The statement also criticized the state government’s alleged policy of demanding high fees from opposition parties for political publicity, while simultaneously trying to suppress their voices through “targeted attacks and public shaming.”
Ezike called on women and all well-meaning citizens of Anambra to rise against what he described as “a culture of targeted harassment, public misrepresentation, and political intolerance.”
In closing, he warned Governor Soludo against continued misuse of his office for political vendettas, noting that such conduct could ultimately tarnish his legacy.
“Leadership is not proven by office alone, but by conduct, accountability, and respect for democratic norms,” Ezike concluded.
As political temperatures rise in the build-up to the senatorial by-election in Anambra South, this development adds a new layer to the unfolding drama between the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the resurgent opposition in the state.
