Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State says there is no personal rift between him and Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in next year’s general election.
Mr Soludo had weeks ago bashed the opposition candidate, saying chances of Mr Obi realising his political ambition of succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari were slim.
He also said the former Anambra governor’s investment on behalf of the state were worth next to nothing.
But on Thursday, the duo met at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Awka, during the Thanksgiving mass for Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor in celebration of his 70th birthday.
The governor said the rift between him and his predecessor were only political as they remained brothers and interact frequently over the phone and would soon resolved it.
“Today is very special. When we came into the service, it was the first time, my brother, Peter Obi and I are meeting in a public event and in a Catholic Church which two of us belong to. I think it was divine,” Mr Soludo said during the mass. “When I came in, I quickly went to where he sat and hugged him, people watched with bewilderment as if we’re acting drama. Is it not the same people quarrelling?
“Let me tell you, we spoke two times, just last night. We’re brothers. You know I’m not one of those politicians that speak from two sides of the mouth. I can’t pretend. I’m a politician, but also wants to make heaven. I’ll keep saying the truth.
“There’s no rift between Obi and I at a personal level. Nobody snatched each other’s wife. What appears to be the rift between us is fundamental political differences. Nothing else.
“So for those forging blackmail and all that, including the one they said I collected bribe to say what I said, I asked them to bring it so I use it to construct roads. If Soludo is into bribery, I would have been multi trillonaire.
“On the fundamental differences we have, we are going to meet in the next few weeks. We’ve agreed to discuss and iron out our differences. Unfortunately, he’s left. We must get it done. Anambra is for all of us.”
Appreciating God for sparing the celebrant’s life to attain 70, Soludo said Ezeokafor has been of great influence on him and his government, especially in the area of prudence and patronage of locally made products.
