Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has claimed that he and his wife are “godparents” to Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s children.
Speaking at the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ 22nd Conference in Enugu on Friday, Obi stressed that despite political differences, there was no quarrel between him and Soludo.
“People might not know, my wife and I are godparents to Soludo’s children. Yes, we are that close. So we are not quarrelling, and we will never quarrel. If I see him any day, me and him will hug and everything. If they say anything, I’ll answer them,” Obi said.
The video of his remarks has circulated widely, prompting reactions and calls for clarification.
First Lady’s Office Issues Clarification
On Saturday, Daniel Ezeigwe, media aide to the Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, issued a statement rejecting Obi’s claim. He said the office had received numerous enquiries and needed to set the record straight.
“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’,” the statement read.
“We hereby state clearly that the claim, as presented, is false. For the avoidance of doubt:
- Mr Peter Obi is not a godfather to any of the children of Professor Chukwuma and Dr Nonye Soludo.
- Dr Nonye Soludo is the confirmation godmother to Peter Obi’s daughter.
- Mrs Margaret Obi, wife of Mr Peter Obi, is the baptismal godmother to one of Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s daughters.
- Neither Mr Obi nor Professor Soludo has served as a godparent to the other’s children.”
Ezeigwe added that Obi may have misspoken, but given the video’s circulation, clarification was necessary. He stressed that relations between the two families remain cordial.
Political Context And Public Reaction
The clarification comes amid heightened political tension. Governor Soludo openly supports President Bola Tinubu, while Obi remains a leading figure from the same region.
Analysts note that in such a charged season, even personal remarks carry political weight.
Some observers argue that Obi’s claim, even if inaccurate in detail, reflects the closeness between the families.
Others see the clarification as necessary to prevent misrepresentation. Either way, the issue has added another layer to the ongoing political conversation in Anambra State.
I’ve said this a lot, political fights is always a show, behind closed doors you see the real thing. Apart from that, okay fine, he is not their godparents, so what now happened? Maybe he takes them as such, sometimes such feelings of affinity is usually not reciprocated.
Why is this even in the public arena? It is their private matters. Everything should not be aired in the public. Mr. Soludo should be calming down. His antagonistic tendency towards Peter Obi is known to all. His record of achievements as governor of Anambra state will be known later manifest when he finishes his term in the state. He should focus on leaving a good legacy in the state.
The person who is working doesn’t need to talk too much.