NewStats: 3,263,374 , 8,179,945 topics. Date: Thursday, 05 June 2025 at 05:38 PM 6x2o4h

Anambra: PDP aspirants allege N420m bribery
•Soludo: It’s ridiculous •More for ex-CBN governor
From Chuks Okocha in Abuja, 10.15.2009

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The controversy surrounding the emergence of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the February 6, 2010 governorship election in Anambra State is yet to thaw.



Rather than abate, it seems to be worsening as 13 of the party’s aspirants opposed to the candidacy of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor yesterday alleged that Soludo offered them N35 million each to drop their challenge and embrace his nomination.

Soludo has, however, described the allegation as “spurious and unfounded”.

There is also a groundswell of for the ex-CBN governor as major PDP stakeholders in the state including two Senators, Ikechukwu Obiora and Joy Emodi, nine House of Representatives from the state and more of the party’s aspirants have now pledged their for the Soludo/ Emma Anosike ticket.

Thirty-six of the aspirants are now alleged to be behind Soludo.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the leader of the Anti-Soludo/Anosike Group, Chief Chuma Nwofor, told journalists that the former aspirants were allegedly offered N35 million each by Soludo in a bid to get them drop their opposition to his candidacy.

“We were offered N35 million each by Prof. Soludo to his candidacy as the governorship candidate but because we are the integrity group and we believe that the race is not for sale, we rejected the offer,” Nwofor said.

When asked to be specific, the following conversation took place:

Journalists: Who offered you N35 million?

Nwofor: Prof. Soludo

Journalists: For what?

Nwofor: He said that we should take it and step down and him. We are the integrity group. Our mission is to correct the anomalies in our party. He has offered some of our people N35 million to withdraw their position. We told him point blank that it is not acceptable to us. Our aspiration is not for sale.

Journalists: How much to be precise?

Nwofor: He offered us N35 million each.

Soludo, however, described the allegation as spurious.

Speaking with THISDAY over the telephone, the former CBN governor said: “First and foremost, I never met with any aspirant and Chuma Nwofor I have never met him since the last one week. I probably saw him in the contest of meeting other aspirants since Friday last week. I have never met him.”

Soludo was asked questions thus:

THISDAY: Did you offer Nwofor or anybody any money?

Soludo: That is ridiculous, to offer money for what? This is spurious and absolute nonsense. For what would I offer him money? I mean, the nomination process has since ended since last Friday. The reconciliation process is on. Why would I offer him such money?

THISDAY: May be as part of negotiation?

Soludo: What type of negotiation? You have to go for election first and win before negotiation. I find this a little bit funny and ridiculous. I am just hearing that from you for the first time. I can’t even believe that he can say that. If he said that, he knows that he is obviously and knowingly lying. I have never met Chuma Nwofor in the last one week.

However, some PDP stakeholders in the state including two senators, nine of the House of Representatives from the state, former ministers and of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party have endorsed the Soludo/Anosike candidacy.

At a meeting yesterday in Abuja attended by PDP National Vice-Chairman for the South-east, Chief Olisa Metu; former minister, Chief Dan Chuke; of the party’s BoT; former Senator, Chief Onyeabo Obi; first PDP chairman in the state, Chief Joseph Nwankwo; and former PDP Chairman in the state, Tony Nwoye, the Soludo/Anosike candidacy was adopted and formerly presented to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

Others in attendance at the meeting included Chudi Offodile, Celestine Ughanze, Okey Udeh, CID Maduabum, Emodi, former Senator Nnamdi Eriobun and Chief Dan Ulasia among others,

Speaking at the presentation of Soludo/Anosike to the Ogbulafor-led NWC, Metu said: “We have 36 former aspirants that have adopted Prof Soludo/ Senator Anosike for the office of the Governor of Anambra State on the platform of PDP. We, as stakeholders came here to inform you, the NWC, that Anambra PDP has accepted Soludo/ Anosike nomination.

“We believe that the party is supreme and we abide by the constitution of the party. We have set up a reconciliation committee to calm frayed nerves. The process of re-building Anambra State has started.”

Also speaking, Senator Obi, a member of PDP BoT from the state, described Soludo as “God’s candidate” to heal the state, stating that he was not disappointed with the decision of PDP NWC to settle for the candidacy of Soludo.

He said: “Soludo/Anosike is the candidate we can sell to the people of Anambra State and God with us victory is certain.”

Later, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition, Hon. Maduabum, read a resolution of the Anambra PDP House of Representatives , stating that nine of them have adopted the Soludo/ Anosike candidacy.

THISDAY reports that when the 36 aspirants alleged to have embraced Soludo, were directed by Ogbulafor to stand up for recognition only 13 of them stood up.

Ogbulafor who described the event as “a graceful day” commended the PDP stakeholders for taking their time to resolve the crisis.

The PDP chairman said: “We can quarrel and settle our disputes indoors,” while urging them to go and campaign to ensure that the party wins the February 6, 2010 governorship poll.

http://odili.net/news/source/2009/oct/15/211.html

Where did Soludo, a civil servant get N420M?. If he is planning to turn Anambra into UAE, why is he paying so much for the opportunity?. How will he recoup the money if he eventually wins?. Reps are looking for the missing 4.9BN; they should ask Soludo and Obasanjo. Bandits!

Reps to summon Soludo, Lamido, others over missing N4.9bn
From John-Abba Ogbodo and Terhemba Daka, Abuja

THE House of Representatives may quiz the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and his successor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, over an alleged missing of N4.9 billion belonging to the National Sugar Development Council.





The money, it was gathered, was kept in CBN's vaults.

The Chairman, House Committee on Industries, Solomon Agidani who announced the missing fund during an oversight exercise on the council, said the committee is to probe the alleged fraud following which it has summoned Sanusi and Soludo as well as the former and present ministers of Industries, Emmanuel Ugwu and Chief Achike Udenwa.

Others also summoned include the ant-General of the Federation, Alhaji Dan-Kwabo.

He said that all those summoned are to give insights into the missing funds kept in the vaults of the CBN at an inquiry to be emled soon by the House of Representatives.

According to the Executive Secretary of the council, Alhaji Usman Bello, while responding to questions on the financial activities of his agency, he said the missing fund was revenue accruable from 10 per cent sugar levy lodged with the apex bank.

Bello told the committee that they got to know that the fund were missing after approval was given to the council's N1.88 billion capital and recurrent budgetary expenditures.

" When we got the approvals, we went to the CBN to deduct from the N6 billion council . To our surprise, we found out that only N1.1 billion was left in the , as N4.9 billion was no more," he said.

Bello's revelation, however, irked the chairman, who retorted that "we must probe it and carry out public investigative hearing on the matter before the end of this month," adding that the exercise is aimed at exposing the perpetrators for appropriate sanctions.

Meanwhile, the lawmakers are set to abolish exploitation of female employees in corporate organisations as a Bill to that effect scaled second reading on the floor of the House yesterday.

The piece of legislation titled: "A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Corporate Prostitution and Exploitation of Women in Corporate Organisations", and other matters connected therewith, and sponsored by the Minority Whip, Femi Gbajabiamila, when ed into law, would prohibit all forms of corporate induced prostitution, especially in the country's banking sector where unrealistic targets are allegedly being given to female employees to meet, leading to sex-for- practices by the employees in order to meet the targets.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the Bill, Gbajabiamila said the practice is prevalent among corporate organisations, especially in the banking sector, adding that as representatives of the people, the lawmakers should not close their eyes and ears to the practice, which he said, should be condemned in its entirety.

He described the situation where a young lady is employed and given a target to win s worth over N500 million in just nine months as despicable, expressing regret that the practice has led to several break in relationships and marriages in the country.

Quoting from the 1999 Constitution and other relevant conventions as well as the Universal Declaration on Human and Peoples Rights, Gbajabiamila said the practice runs contrary to all known laws of human rights and dignity, noting that section 17 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees human sanctity of all Nigerians, as well as protection from all forms of exploitation.

But in their separate contributions to the debate, Garba Shehu Matazu and Abike Dabiri-Erewa opposed the Bill. While Abike was of the opinion that even though it appeared to be seeking better protection for women, the law, if ed, would rather be demeaning the womenfolk, noting that what is required is for the House to ratify all existing conventions on the protection of women against all forms of exploitation.

Emmanuel Jime, who also opposed the Bill ing the second reading in the chamber, said section 15 of the Constitution had sought protection for all Nigerians, and as such, the law would mean another form of protection for the women, whom he noted, were given equal targets like their male counterparts in the banks.

http://odili.net/news/source/2009/oct/15/24.html

Professor or General, all nah same, Naija go better o ne day

Chris Ubah and his camp at work . . . . . Its a pity that PDP has denied him the opportunity to install his brother in-law.

Does it make any difference?. PDP is like the NAZI, slowly turning Nigeria into their private property. Any PDP member in Nigeria is a potential criminal.

PDP is like the NAZI? Give me a break! Soludo knew well of that group to make his camp with them. Now for the allegation, not sure if it is true or false at this time but an investigation would be welcome.

I don't see how the man can have that much money to spend, even if he spent 30 years as CBN governor.

Court stops Soludo

MORE hurdles are apparently being placed in the way of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2010 election, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, as an Awka high court has restrained him from parading himself as the candidate of the party.

This is consequent upon a suit numbered FHC/AW/CS/254/2009, instituted by one Ken Emeakayi as applicant. The party has been listed as the first respondent, while its national chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor; the National Secretary, Alhaji Kawu Baraje; Professor Soludo, his running mate, Senator Emeka Anosike and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as second, third, fourth and fifth respondents, respectively.

The motion ex parte, which was filed on Monday, prayed the court for an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from presenting or continuing to present; to recognise or continuing to recognise the fourth and fifth respondents as the governorship candidate and the deputy governorship candidate of the first respondent for the 2010 governorship election in Anambra State, pending the determination of motion on notice.

It asked for an order of interim injunction restraining the fourth and fifth respondents from parading themselves or continuing to parade themselves for the February 2010 governorship election in Anambra State, pending the determination of motion on notice.

More from Tribune.


Soludo will be dropped. . . . . .eventually.
Too much trouble for the guy. . . .Chris Uba/Ngige are no fools.
They know how to play this game better that those idiotic PDP!

all i can do is laugh my butt off. . . .

Kobojunkie:

PDP is like the NAZI? Give me a break! Soludo knew well of that group to make his camp with them. Now for the allegation, not sure if it is true or false at this time but an investigation would be welcome. 

I don't see how the man can have that much money to spend, even if he spent 30 years as CBN governor.

That is why N4.9Bn is missing from the vault.

must_a_far:

all i can do is laugh my butt off. . . .

No laugh yet. More surprises are coming from PDP.

This is not exactly a funny incidence, i just can't help but imagine that somehow, somewhere a tragedy lies in wait

The tragedy had better happen now, itz keeping everyone in suspense.

The issue is not really about pdp but about a typical igbo man, when are they going to be their brother's keeper?.46 aspirants for just one seat?

That is the easiest £140,000 or $ 190,000 dollars ever make, how much was the form again was it 5 million Naira or £20,000 , $35,000.00 not a bad return for a 3 weeks investment.

No wonder we had 47 candidates even some people who knew they have no chance in hell paid this money for the form knowing fully well that the returns will be mind blowing.

How are wish I am from Kano State because the circus will be moving north soon when the nomination for the PDP Guber begins late next year, I can guarantee that 100 PDP Stalwarts will be running against Mohammed Abacha.

I am surprised PDP did not take over the National Sports Lottery

Never knew so many people play Baba Ijebu With Class

~Bluetooth:

The issue is not really about pdp but about a typical igbo man, when are they going to be their brother's keeper?.46 aspirants for just one seat?

What happens to silence when you have nothing to contribute on a topic?
We are in a democracy where even citizen is eligible to vote and be voted for.
It doesn't matter how many people contesting for the position since only one man emerges at the end.

Aloy~Emeka:

Where did Soludo, a civil servant get N420M?. If he is planning to turn Anambra into UAE, why is he paying so much for the opportunity?. How will he recoup the money if he eventually wins?. Reps are looking for the missing 4.9BN; they should ask Soludo and Obasanjo. Bandits!

Can't you use your brain?
We need evidence to this effect since Soludo has denied it. So without evidence the case remains an allegation

KnowAll:


How are wish I am from Kano State because the circus will be moving north soon when the nomination for the PDP Guber begins late next year, I can guarantee that 100  PDP Stalwarts will be running against Mohammed Abacha.

Nice investment opportunity.  I will raise 5 million  for any of my friends from KANO ( or whatever the price tag) to pick KANO state PDP governorship form next year.

We( Our company ) will collect the form, and hopefully   hope to negotiate ROI of 45Million . 

Can't you use your brain?
We need evidence to this effect since Soludo has denied it. So without evidence the case remains an allegation

Mr man are u a Nigerian, u think those traders from Ontisha and Nnewi will invest N5 million Naira of their hard earn cash and not get anything back, Mr man wake up and smell the coffee.

If u sabi any mallam that u can sponsor u better the bandwagon, u should be thinking of how u go get some of our looted money back from Abacha next year.

What rubbish!

The way Nigerians throw accusations at will and all of a sudden it becomes fact and folklore.

N420m my freaking arse!

What rubbish!

The way Nigerians throw accusations at will and all of a sudden it becomes fact and folklore.

N420m my freaking arse




Mr don’t sit in London and say nonsense,  there are more Billionaires in that Cesspit let me use a word that I seem to come across amongst our Biafra brothers, than the UK this is no lie.

Soludo and OBJ announce to the world when they where in power that Nigeria had $52 billion in reserves, what gives u the impression this figure is correct. What stops the figure from being $55 billion and they announce $52 billion, those goons Soludo and OBJ are billionaires in dollars take it or live it.

A credit card fraudster in London who was hustling for £300.00 only 19 years ago  is now a billionaire

KnowAll:

Mr don’t sit in London and say nonsense, there are more Billionaires in that Cesspit let me use a word that I seem to come across amongst our Biafra brothers, than the UK this is no lie.

Soludo and OBJ announce to the world when they where in power that Nigeria had $52 billion in reserves, what gives u the impression this figure is correct. What stops the figure from being $55 billion and they announce $52 billion, those goons Soludo and OBJ are billionaires in dollars take it or live it.

A credit card fraudster in London who was hustling for £300.00 only 19 years ago is now a billionaire

Please come again with this rant.

So your evidence is that they might have not announce the right earnings but you don't think that is a conjecture?

Fuuuuuuuuuuck me!

Please come again with this rant.

So your evidence is that they might have not announce the right earnings but you don't think that is a conjecture?

Fuuuuuuuuuuck me!


I have friends who have restaurants in London, and my friend keeps on changing the guys on the till, sacking them at times, I asked him one day why does he keep on doing this he said they are all thieves, that they steal his money. How much more kleptomaniac politicians.

KnowAll:

I have friends who have restaurants in London, and my friend keeps on changing the guys on the till, sacking them at times, I asked him one day why does he keep on doing this he said they are all thieves, that they steal his money. How much more kleptomaniac politicians.

So you are comparing a governmental operation in a democratic setting, where multiple people (public servants [ministry and CBN], oil firms, academic staticians) are involved in or privy to records and record keeping to your friend's staff selling Akara in London">

And that is your evidence that looting or tweaking of figures has taken place?

bleeping interesting, please go on. Let me hear more.

This is how such lame accusations would go unchallenged, and all of a sudden 3 years from now, some fool would be quoting this as "evidence" that Soludo is corrupt.

Negative rumours are created by foes,
Propagated by ignorants,
And accepted by fools.

A man that has a career-life of being in the military, ruled the counrty and corruption was institutionalised, billions go missing, refused to record and for expenditure during his rule, uses court injunctions to avoid reporting to any investigative , never had a visible business venture and yet is building & buying multi-million buildings (home and abroad) and having a private jet and living a £ bilionaires life is a criminal in my books.


So you are comparing a governmental operation in a democratic setting, where multiple people (public servants (ministry and CBN, oil firms, academic staticians) are involved in or privy to records and record keeping to your friend's staff selling Akara in London?  

And that is your evidence that looting has taken place?

bleeping interesting, please go on. Let me hear more.



Written in bold is your accusation that IBB is a fraud. Whatever thread I contribute I always make sure my stance is consistent.

What evidence do u have against IBB, that u don’t want to on to OBJ and Soludo are u saying these 2 gentlemen are saints and IBB is a devil.

You might want to use this in defence as your opening gambit in defence of your inconsistent stance “ In a democratic setting”   -  that IBB is different from Soludo and OBJ, I am pre-empting you, if I should go by your assettion that fraud cannot be perpetuated in a democracy,  it simply means the Alam’s and Igbenidion’s that have being convicted for embezzlement should be suing the EFCC and the FG because fraud in a democracy is impossible due to the plethora of officialdom.

Man be consistent whatever thread u contribute on.

KnowAll:

A man that has a career-life of being in the military, ruled the counrty and corruption was institutionalised, billions go missing, refused to record and for expenditure during his rule, uses court injunctions to avoid reporting to any investigative , never had a visible business venture and yet is building & buying multi-million buildings (home and abroad) and having a private jet and living a £ bilionaires life is a criminal in my books.


So you are comparing a governmental operation in a democratic setting, where multiple people (public servants (ministry and CBN, oil firms, academic staticians) are involved in or privy to records and record keeping to your friend's staff selling Akara in London? 

And that is your evidence that looting has taken place?

bleeping interesting, please go on. Let me hear more.



Written in bold is your accusation that IBB is a fraud. Whatever thread I contribute I always make sure my stance is consistent.

What evidence do u have against IBB, that u don’t want to on to OBJ and Soludo are u saying these 2 gentlemen are saints and IBB is a devil.

You might want to use this in defence as your opening gambit in defence of your inconsistent stance “ In a democratic setting”   -  that IBB is different from Soludo and OBJ, I am pre-empting you, if I should go by your assettion that fraud cannot be perpetuated in a democracy,  it simply means the Alam’s and Igbenidion’s that have being convicted for embezzlement should be suing the EFCC and the FG because fraud in a democracy is impossible due to the plethora of officialdom.

Man be consistent whatever thread u contribute on.

I am being very consistent, mate.

IBB is a career soldier that is living a billionaire lifestyle after ruling as a MILITARY DICTATOR, I repeat billionaire, without any known business venture that can "possibly" provide such wealth.

Someone throws some lame accusation against Soludo, all of a sudden, it is believable because he might have tweaked figures of the country's reserve in a DEMOCRATIC SETTING.

Fraud can be committed in a democratic setting but it is best to not throw conjectures until specific and REASONABLE accusations (in line with living outside possible means) are placed on someone.

I have no more comments, one rule for some and another rule for others, I rest my case

Sagamite:

I am being very consistent, mate.

IBB is a career soldier that is living a billionaire lifestyle after ruling as a MILITARY DICTATOR, I repeat billionaire, without any known business venture that can "possibly" provide such wealth.

Someone throws some lame accusation against Soludo, all of a sudden, it is believable because he might have tweaked figures of the country's reserve in a DEMOCRATIC SETTING.

Fraud can be committed in a democratic setting but it is best to not throw conjectures until specific and REASONABLE accusations (in line with living outside possible means) are placed on someone.

he he he ,money ritual . Why did you say IBB lives like a billionaire when he doesn't have a common private jet like our pastors?. If it's his ability to finance isiewu and nkwobi every evening, then I am a billionaire.

I think there are few serious questions we have refused to ask.

1. Why is there more campaign after the contest was over than before the contest.
There was almost no primary campaign, Soludo held a rally in Awaka and other candidates adopted a wait and see approach. When their party made their choice, all of a sudden folks like Chuma Nwafor started granting press conferences for the first time. Why was this the case? did all the 46 candidates who bought the form honestly think they had a shot?

And more seriously is it not curious that people are only making bribery allegations after the contest was over? does chuma nwafor have any further proof to his bribery allegation? or do we want to have a rule that anybody who looses out in an election can simply make spurious claims without needing to prove those claims?

If there is any proof of Soludo giving bribes, I will love to see him go to jail. But politicians need to also realise that unfounded and childish allegations of bribery because you lost our in politics is unacceptable.

Aloy~Emeka:

he he he ,money ritual . Why did you say IBB lives like a billionaire when he doesn't have a common private jet like our pastors?. If it's his ability to finance isiewu and nkwobi every evening, then I am a billionaire.

My understanding is that, only his private jet utilises the Minna airport.

Another "Do or die hard trying' politics