From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Evang. Chinedu Obigwe, National Coordinator of the All Progressives Grand Alliance Media Warriors Forum, has refuted claims made by Owelle Mbaso, a former aide to ex-Governor Willie Obiano. Mbaso, who recently became an aide to the Senate President, has been leading an association of former Obiano appointees threatening to oppose Soludo’s second term if they don’t receive severance allowances.
Obigwe, in a statement on Monday, accused an Anambra Senator of fabricating a story that led to Mbaso’s appointment. He denied Mbaso’s claim that he was part of Victor Oye’s entourage that visited Soludo to request his support for Obiano’s second term in exchange for becoming governor after Obiano.
Obigwe clarified that Soludo joined APGA when Victor Umeh was the chairman and never left the party. He emphasized that even when Soludo was unfairly disqualified from the 2013 APGA governorship election, he remained loyal to the party.
“Therefore, Eneh Victor Chigozie’s claim that Owelle Mbaso and Victor Oye visited Governor Soludo to woo him to APGA and support Obiano’s second term is a blatant lie,” Obigwe stated. “Owelle Mbaso, as an aide to former Governor Obiano, did not play any special role in Soludo’s election as governor.”
Obigwe rejected attempts to label Soludo as ungrateful. “I have never seen anyone who appreciates and rewards favours like Governor Soludo, especially when he is aware of what you did for him,” he said. “Ubah and Owelle Mbaso deceived our Senate President in a desperate bid to secure an appointment for Owelle.”
Obigwe believes that the recent appointment of Mbaso as a senior aide to the Senate President will not erase his reputation as a mercenary, as labelled by former Governor Obiano. He believes Mbaso’s agitation for severance allowances was merely a smokescreen to gain attention.
“I completely disagree with the claim that he played any special role in Soludo’s election as Anambra Governor,” Obigwe stated. “2025 is around the corner, and it is good that Mbaso has come out openly to let people know that he is now working for the APC. We will now see how he will make Ubah Governor of Anambra State.”
Obigwe expressed confidence that the people of Anambra will not be deceived and will prevent their “game of deceit” from succeeding in 2025. He believes that Soludo’s second-term mandate is already secured by God and cannot be thwarted.