Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, began his rule, Thursday, on an apologetic note, occasioned by the show of shame between former First Lady, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano and Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu during his swearing-in ceremony in Awka.
Mrs. Obiano had, during the ceremony, left her seat and walked to where former Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu sat, and rained invectives on her. Obiano was alleged to have called Bianca a ‘bitch’, and the latter reportedly slapped her.
The breach caused a disruption in the programme.
But barely had he settled in his office in the Governor’s Office than Governor Soludo tendered an apology, on behalf of Bianca Ojukwu and Ebelechukwu Obiano, to all Anambra people, friends, and guests who attended his inauguration.
Speaking through his media aide, Joe Anatune, the governor, in a statement, egretted the breached which he said was caused by improper communication which arose from a personal issue between the two ladies.
Stating that steps were being taken to resolve the matter, Governor Soludo said the breach happened after the wife of the former governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, approached Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu and muttered some words that made tempers flare.
The statement reads: “Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo hereby apologizes to all Anambra people, friends and guests who attended his inauguration this morning as the Anambra State governor for the breach of protocol.
“The breach was caused by improper communication which itself arose from a personal issue between the two parties involved in the breach.
“Steps are being taken to resolve the misunderstanding and restore the parties to their previous relationship.
“Anambra State has over the years been known for a huge stock of social harmony, and the stock will increase substantially in the years ahead as part of the concerted effort to accelerate the state’s development. God bless Anambra State, the Light of the Nation.”
Recall
Drama ensued on Thursday at the inauguration of Prof Chukwuma Soludo as the governor of Anambra when the wife of outgoing Gov. Willie Obiano, Ebelechukwu and Mrs Bianca Ojukwu had an altercation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the incident occurred immediately after Soludo took his oath of office.
NAN reports that dignitaries including Ex-Gov Obiano were already seated when Mrs Obiano stepped in and moved to the front row where the widow of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu was seated and slapped her.
But another account reported that it was Bianca that slapped Obiano’s wife after the former called her unprintable names.
The action drew the attention of security agents and some personalities separated both women.
Mrs Obiano was later taken away and shortly afterwards, her husband left the venue since the incident happened after the new governor had been sworn in.
