By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Caucus of the 10th House of Representatives has denied reports that they have endorsed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s bid for a second term in office.
In a statement signed by the Leader of the Caucus, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, the lawmakers described the reports as “wild rumours.”
According to Ogene, the Caucus paid a courtesy visit to Governor Soludo at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia on Friday, June 28, 2024, to discuss development synergy for the state’s overall interest.
He emphasized that the visit was focused on forging a collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms, and did not involve any discussions on personal or party aspirations.
Ogene urged “meddlesome interlopers” not to disrupt this development-centric collaboration with narrow partisan considerations.
The statement clarified that the Caucus had not endorsed anyone, and their deliberations were centered on championing initiatives that would benefit the people of Anambra State.
Ogene said, “Our attention has been drawn to wild rumours, circulating across several WhatsApp platforms, to the effect that the Anambra State Caucus, 10th House of Representatives, has endorsed Governor Chukwuma Soludo for a second tenure in office.
“Although the Caucus, made up of nine, out of its 11 members, paid Governor Soludo a courtesy visit on Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, our deliberations centred, primarily, on forging a development synergy for the overall interest of our state.
“Indeed, at no time during the almost five-hour chit-chat – during which both sides dissected the multifarious development and security challenges that confront our people – everyone was allowed to freely make contributions, in a free, no-holds barred manner.
“As a matter of fact, Governor Soludo himself aptly captured the essence of our visit, when he wrote on his X handle thus, “Yesterday, I had the honor of welcoming the Anambra State Caucus of the Federal House of Representatives to the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia. It was a pivotal step towards fortifying our collaboration in infrastructural partnership and development.
“Our discussions were marked by a shared commitment to transcend party affiliations and work together harmoniously to champion initiatives at the national level that will significantly benefit Ndi Anambra,” Governor Soludo wrote.
“We wish to add that personal, or party aspirations, never featured in our exchanges during the visit. We, therefore, had no cause to endorse anyone.
“As we begin this new chapter of development-centric collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms, we urge meddlesome interlopers not to truncate this laudable gesture, in the guise of projecting narrow partisan considerations.”
The Caucus’ denial of the endorsement reports comes amidst speculation on the governor’s re-election bid.
The visit was seen as a significant step towards fostering a development partnership between the Executive and Legislative arms.
The denial of the endorsement reports had put to rest speculation on the Caucus’ stance on Governor Soludo’s re-election bid.
