South East Patriots To Soludo: Focus On Issues, Not Character Assassination

A group, the South East Patriots (SEP), has berated Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State over recent “character assassination” launched against multiple indigenes of the state ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship election.

In a statement signed by its convener, Barrister Obunike C. Ohaegbu, SEP urged Governor Soludo to “focus on issues” and desist from character assassination.

In the statement entitled “Stop the dance of shame, focus on issues, not character assassination“, Barrister Ohaegbu said:

“The South East Patriots (SEP) have watched with grave concern the pattern of escalating attacks emanating from the Anambra State Government and its media machinery against some of the most distinguished sons and daughters of the South East.

“This troubling trend undermines, not only our politics but also, the dignity of governance.

The Pattern of Escalation

Ohaegbu regretted four recent incidents that he described as “irresponsible and despicable” of Soludo to include attacks on the Chairman of the Governing Council of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, allegations against Senator Uche Ekwunife, response by Senator Ekwunife and circulation of a private conversation.

1. Attacks on Prof. Chidi Odinkalu

Ohaegbu recalled that weeks ago, Governor Soludo’s aides launched coordinated attacks on Prof. Odinkalu.

“Instead of calling them to order, the Governor later endorsed the offensive while announcing the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor, using the occasion to hurl scathing remarks at her opponents,” he lamented.

2. Allegations Against Senator Uche Ekwunife

Ohaegbu, a former Federal Commissioner of Public Complaints Commission [PCC], noted that on August 3, 2025, a senior media aide to the Governor alleged that Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife parades a fake PhD certificate.

He fumed: “A few days later, Governor Soludo himself publicly claimed that Ekwunife had only a School Certificate and PhD, citing INEC forms as authority.

“As a sitting Governor with full access to official channels of verification, he could have quietly investigated her credentials.

“Instead, he chose the path of public demonisation,” Ohaegbu decried.

Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife

3. Response by Senator Ekwunife

“In a viral video, Senator Ekwunife responded robustly, but notably without dragging Mrs. Soludo or her family into the matter,” Ohaegbu observed.

4. Circulation of a Private Conversation

The lawyer expressed shock that aides associated with a governor can condescend so low as to circulate what they claimed was a private conversation involving Ekwunife.

He observed further: “It was this supposed conversation — allegedly recorded and leaked without consent — that triggered Mrs. Soludo’s public intervention.

“If true, this raises disturbing questions about whether the Governor’s team procured and weaponised an illegally recorded private discussion to justify further attacks.

“This, in SEP’s view, is the real red line,” he firmly stated.

SEP noted that while Soludo has nonetheless recorded credible achievements, he has seemingly failed to deliver security to the state.

Some of the achievements include:

• Massive infrastructure projects.
• Large-scale recruitment of teachers and medical professionals.
• Governance reforms.

“These are solid and verifiable records that should form the backbone of his campaigns and public discourse — not the politics of destruction and gutter fights,” Ohaegbu said.

Barrister Obunike C. Ohaegbu

Respect for Distinguished Leaders

Ohaegbu remarked that “Ekwunife is not just another politician, rather, “a distinguished Senator” and “a proven leader who has won four fiercely contested elections in Anambra’s shark-infested political waters”.

He described her as a legislator whose performance in both the House of Representatives and the Senate remains a reference point.

“Beyond politics, she is a wife, mother, and grandmother — roles deserving of dignity, not derogation,” he reminded Soludo.

“It is therefore irresponsible and despicable for official aides of the governor to continue referring to her in the most demeaning manner,” he added.

SEP’s Position

SEP, therefore, holds that the true red line has been crossed by Soludo and his team, who appear to deliberately manufacture situations, then turn around to weaponise them against respected leaders.

“Politics must be fought on the field of ideas, policies, and performance, not through smear campaigns, family attacks, or illegal recordings.

“The South East cannot afford to squander its brightest talents in petty quarrels while insecurity, economic decline, and marginalisation persist,” Ohaegbu insists.

SEP, in the meantime, charged Soludo to call his aides to order immediately.

The group stated categorically that Soludo “must end the dance of shame and redirect the narrative towards… verifiable achievements”.

It reminded the governor that tearing down fellow leaders does not elevate his legacy, rather, diminishes it.

“The South East needs unity, not division; respect, not insults; progress, not propaganda. Enough is enough!” SEP concluded.

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