Date Published: 01/19/10

Dear Editor,

Anambra 2010: Funding things not believed in

The PDP as a party is doing everything possible to prove to people that it is genuinely making every effort to win back Anambra State, hence it arranged various fund launching for its preferred candidate, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

On the 14 th January 2010, the PDP made good their earlier announced plan and raised a sum said to be N2billion for Professor Soludo who is striving to govern Anambra. Earlier before Soludo’s desire was made public, a pseudo fundraising was indirectly carried out for Soludo in Abuja where Chief Anenih, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and some other top PDP stalwarts were present. As I am writing this piece, I read where another fundraising for the same candidate would take place in Anambra on 17 th Janaury, 2010.

Some aggrieved governorship primary candidates went to court against Soludo’s choice but this seems to have been withdrawn now. Nevertheless, two PDP stalwarts namely, Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and a member of the PDP Board of Trustee, Chief Don Etiebet had earlier in November 2009 at a gathering of APGA members at a reception organized for them in Awka stated that the past PDP governors in Anambra governed over, or created Anambra a failed State. Both men eulogized APGA’s Peter Obi for returning the State to what they assume now – a well governed State. In the DAILY SUN of 13/01/10, page 31, in a story entitled “Annie Okonkwo to Soludo: You won’t be governor”, the PDP’s Senator Annie Okonkwo who is believed to be supporting the candidacy of PPA’s Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, insisted that Soludo will not make it.

But out of the total of the N2billion raised for Soludo at the PDP fundraising launch of the 14 th January, it was reported that all the PDP State governors jointed raised N1.5billion out of the figure; in which case Governor Akpabio may have donated to what he never believed in.  And if properly scrutinized, it may be found out that even Senator Annie Okonkwo also donated towards the same cause he does not believe in.