Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
A communication expert and media/public relations consultant, Dr. Ambrose Igboke, has criticised Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, over his continued public exchanges with former governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, describing the feud as unnecessary and urging the governor to focus on governance.
Igboke, who is also Chairman of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts, Enugu State Chapter, made the remarks while reacting to the recent controversy surrounding Obi’s debt record during his tenure as Anambra governor.
The dispute followed a series of exchanges between the Anambra State Government and Obi over claims about the state’s debt profile during his administration.
While the Soludo administration has maintained that documentary records show outstanding domestic loans and other liabilities from previous administrations, Obi has disputed aspects of those claims.
Speaking on the controversy, Igboke argued that Soludo’s repeated criticism of his predecessor reflected what he described as an unhealthy fixation on Obi, despite the former governor leaving office over a decade ago.
He suggested that the political events surrounding the 2014 succession, when Obi backed Willie Obiano as APGA’s governorship candidate instead of Soludo, could have contributed to lingering tensions, although he acknowledged he had no proof that this was the reason.
The public affairs analyst also questioned the tone of the governor’s interventions, saying that someone of Soludo’s academic and professional stature should exercise greater restraint in public discourse.
“As an economist, I don’t think Soludo should be bandying numbers without providing proof. If he wanted to challenge Peter Obi, he should publish the facts first before making comments,” Igboke said.
He praised Soludo’s achievements as a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), saying his banking reforms earned him national and international respect, but expressed concern that political engagements had changed the quality of his public communication.
Igboke further lamented what he described as a pattern of divisive politics among political actors in the South-East, urging leaders to support their preferred political interests without engaging in personal attacks against fellow Igbo politicians.
He maintained that Governor Soludo should concentrate on consolidating his own governance record in Anambra rather than revisiting political disagreements dating back to Obi’s exit from office in 2014.
