Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, over what he described as their inadequate educational qualifications.
Soludo made the remarks through the Director General of the Soludo-Ibezim Campaign Organisation (SICO), Prof. Solo Osita Chukwulobelu, who also serves as the Secretary to the Anambra State Government.
In a statement, Chukwulobelu argued that the APC candidates lack the capacity to lead the state due to their academic records.
“Part of the fundamental issues in any election is the qualification of candidates for office. For Anambra, a state known for excellence and home to some of Nigeria’s most educated leaders, this is a crucial factor in selecting a governor,” the statement read.
It compared the APC ticket to past governors, including Soludo, whose credentials were described as “sterling,” while highlighting the alleged poor qualifications of Ukachukwu and Ekwunife.
According to the campaign office, “We can confirm that the APC ticket of Nicholas Ukachukwu and Uche Ekwunife represents the weakest qualifications for the office of governor in Anambra State history. Nicholas Ukachukwu submitted a GCE certificate showing F9s in English, Mathematics, and Economics, raising concerns about his literacy and numeracy—basic requirements for effective governance. Anambra cannot have a governor whose ability to read, write, or calculate is in doubt.”
On Ekwunife, the statement added, “She declared on her INEC form that she holds a GCE and a PhD without an undergraduate degree. Together, the APC gubernatorial ticket has arguably presented the poorest or questionable credentials for governing Anambra. The state is moving forward, not backward.”
Chukwulobelu concluded, “We are committed to earning every vote based on the value we have created and will continue to create for the people. However, the issue of basic qualifications to govern remains legitimate. Anambra is far too sophisticated to be led by semi-illiterates or individuals of questionable capability.”