The incoming All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led government of the Governor-elect of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo has rejected the title ‘His Excellency’ title stressing that he preferred to be addressed simply as Prof Chukwuma Soludo or Mr. Governor.
The incoming government may also be headed for troubled waters as the state Governor Chief Willie Obiano and leaders of the party on Thursday shunned the inauguration of the 80 man committee.
Also, several journalists were barred from the conference Hall of the Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu, Anaocha local government area of the state, venue of the inauguration ceremony.
Among the journalists who were denied entry into the Conference Hall of the Golden Tulip Hotel Agulu in Anaocha local government area of the state are representatives of the Daily Trust, News Agency of Nigeria NAN , New Telegraph, ThisNigeria, Guardian, Nigeria Pilot, Leadership, Daily Times and several others.
Investigations revealed that Obiano and key leaders of the party stayed away from the ceremony following the raging misunderstanding between forces loyal to the outgoing administration and Prof. Soludo.
It was learnt that Soludo failed to include key actors of Governor Obiano’s cabinet members into the 80 man committee selected from across professional bodies and disciplines.
The ugly development has sparked controversies and misgivings amongst key actors in the APGA led government in the Agu Awka Government House, core leaders and elders in the ruling party and camp loyal to Soludo.
A source close to the Government House who spoke on the conspicuous absence of Governor Obiano and other top government officials said the governor had no business to be at the inauguration of the committee.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Don C. Adinuba when contacted said he and the governor were not in the programme and also not a member of the committee, adding that he has serious businesses in the ministry of information.
“The governor is not there and I am not there. I am not bordered being there. I have more serious things doing in the ministry ” he said
It would be recalled that Governor Obiano’s tenure and his Deputy Governor Dr. Nkem Okeke will end on March 17th after eight years in office and Soludo and his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim will take over the reins of power in the state.
Further findings showed that wife of the governor and First Lady of the State Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano is said to be miffed by the latest turn of events with the onslaught against the incumbent government going by the Hardline posture of forces behind the incoming administration of Prof. Soludo.
Efforts by some of the barred journalists to prevail on organizers of the event including Mr. Joe Anatune the Media aide to Prof Soludo, to allow them to cover the event failed.
However, Soludo had directed that those who find it inappropriate to call him by his name can feel free to address him as Mr Governor.
The former Central Bank Governor who was speaking during the inauguration of the transition committee said some of such little mistakes were things that would be addressed during the meeting if the transition committee.
He said: “I was called His Excellency a while ago, but may I plead that that Excellency tag should please wait for now.
“That is part of what we will discuss in this committee. You may just need to learn how to call me by my name, but if that isn’t good for you, the, may I request that you simply call me ‘Charlie Nwangbafor’. If that one is so difficult for you that you must be formal in addressing me, then you can address me as Mr Governor.
