The Anambra State Government has denied any involvement by the First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, either directly or indirectly, in the alleged ₦38 million contract awarded at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
A report circulating by unknown sources claimed that the university awarded a ₦38 million contract to Mrs Chinwe Umerie, the All Progressives Grand Alliance deputy state women leader, who is also an SSA to Mrs Nonye Soludo and works in the audit unit of the university.
The report further alleged that the ₦38 million contract was awarded to her company, Autograph & Events Planning, while also questioning the honorary doctorate degree the university awarded to the governor’s wife.
However, in a press statement released on Monday, the Senior Media Aide to the Anambra State Governor, Daniel Ezeigwe, dismissed the allegations of complicity involving Mrs Soludo and her purported aide.
Ezeigwe clarified that there is no office of the First Lady in Anambra and no SSA to Mrs Nonye Soludo, adding that Umerie is not the SSA to Mrs Soludo and does not work for her.
He further advised the general public to disregard the “rumour” and “baseless” allegations, saying they are the handiwork of the opposition.
The statement read in part, “We have been informed of another spurious post by agents of mischief and mongers of falsehood dragging the Governor’s wife’s name into an alleged matter concerning Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU).
“While it has, sadly, become peculiar for the poor opposition in Anambra State to roll in the dirty mud in the name of politics and desperate pursuit of mirage, we wish to advise the reading public to disregard such information, which can best be described as a senseless attempt to malign the name and character of a woman whose life reflects decency, straightforwardness, and peerlessness.
“For avoidance of doubt, let it be on record that there is no office of the First Lady, and there is no SSA to Mrs Nonye Soludo. Mrs Chinwe Umerie is not SSA to Mrs Soludo and does not work for Mrs Soludo.
“Mrs Soludo is not involved in any contract process in the Anambra State government, let alone a ‘₦38 million contract’ at COOU. A Vice Chancellor does not unilaterally award honorary doctorate degrees. The Senate and governing council approve the award of degrees. We understand that this is the season of politics, and there is no level that some people won’t descend to in their desperate chase for nothing.”
The PUNCH
