The media aide to the Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, Daniel Ezeigwe, has disputed former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s claim that he and his wife are “godparents” to the children of the incumbent governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo. Ezeigwe said Obi is not a godfather to any of Soludo’s children, clarifying that the relationship between the two families does not correspond with the former governor’s description.

Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, had said he and his wife were “godparents” to Soludo’s children, stressing that despite their political differences, there was no quarrel between them. The former governor made the remarks on Friday at the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ 22nd Conference in Enugu. His comments have since circulated widely on social media, prompting calls for clarification.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ezeigwe said the office had received several calls and enquiries concerning Obi’s claim. He said the clarification was necessary to set the record straight. The statement read: “The attention of the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo, has been drawn to a viral video in which the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, claimed that ‘he and his wife are godparents to Soludo’s children’.”

Ezeigwe stated that the claim, as presented, is false. For the avoidance of doubt, he clarified that Mr Peter Obi is not a godfather to any of the children of Professor Chukwuma and Dr Nonye Soludo. However, Dr Nonye Soludo, First Lady of Anambra State, is the confirmation ‘godmother’ to Peter Obi’s daughter, while Mrs Margaret Obi, wife of Mr Peter Obi, is the baptismal godmother to one of Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s daughters.

Ezeigwe suggested that Obi might simply have misspoken while making his remarks. “It is possible that Mr Peter Obi simply misspoke in the course of making his remarks. However, given the widespread circulation of the video and the enquiries it has generated, it is important that the record be set straight.” He maintained that the relationship between the two families remained cordial.

The aide urged members of the public, the media and other concerned parties to take note of the clarification and disregard any impression that Obi is godfather to any of Soludo’s children. Ezeigwe emphasized that there is no need to misrepresent the relationship between the two families in any manner.

Key points to note are that Peter Obi is not a godfather to any of Soludo’s children, Dr Nonye Soludo is the confirmation godmother to Peter Obi’s daughter, and Mrs Margaret Obi is the baptismal godmother to one of Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s daughters.

Key points

  • Peter Obi is not a godfather to any of Soludo’s children.
  • Dr Nonye Soludo is the confirmation godmother to Peter Obi’s daughter.
  • Mrs Margaret Obi is the baptismal godmother to one of Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s daughters.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.