Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, says he holds no personal grievance against Governor Charles Soludo and has instead prayed for God to “grant him even greater heights,” despite what he described as the governor’s “unfortunate and bitter” public outburst.
Speaking with journalists at the just-concluded Guild of Editors meeting at the Naval Base, Abuja, Obi congratulated Soludo on winning a second tenure and urged him to respond to God’s mercies with humility, gratitude, and compassion. He said leadership must be approached with “service, gratitude, and love for our people,” not resentment.
In a statement by his spokesman Ibrahim Umar yesterday in Abuja, Obi’s appeal comes in the wake of Soludo’s certificate-of-return ceremony, where the governor mocked his critics and referred to Obi as a “frustrated politician without a club,” also accusing him of damaging the education system in Anambra. Obi said he felt “compelled to respond” because silence might be misinterpreted.
But Obi said, “On an occasion meant to celebrate his certificate of return, instead of thanking Almighty God for granting him a second tenure — a moment to demonstrate love and magnanimity — he chose to show bitterness and resentment. It was deeply unfortunate.”
He explained that his involvement in the Anambra election was minimal.
“I only attended three public events with the Labour Party candidate, strictly where I was invited,” he clarified. “There was nothing I said to warrant controversy or speculation.”
Obi recounted witnessing irregularities on Election Day but said he ensured calm in his community, reminding his people that “integrity must always take precedence over politics.” Leadership, he said, is measured not by the contest for power but by “the courage to uphold fairness, restraint, and the dignity of our people — even in the most trying circumstances.”
Responding to Soludo’s taunts, Obi used a football analogy: “If gubernatorial candidates are in the first division, I am in the Champions League. I ran for Vice President in 2019 and for President in 2023, winning 11 states and Abuja. My record speaks for itself.”
Reflecting on his tenure and age, he said: “In both the old and new Anambra, only Jim Nwobodo and I became governors in our forties. I was the first to serve a second tenure.”
Despite the controversy, Obi said he harbours no ill will toward Soludo. “I pray that God grants him even greater heights — if that will inspire him to show humility, compassion, and a genuine concern for the people.”
He concluded with a reminder: “We must recognise the mercies God grants us. Leadership is not about resentment or bitterness — it is about service, gratitude, and love for our people.”
