I am not a member of APC, says Soludo

Charles Soludo, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and cannot contest the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra state on the platform of the party.

Emeka Ibe, chairman of the Anambra chapter of the party, had included Soludo’s names among those seeking the party’s ticket.

But in a statement on Thursday, Soludo, who said he had received several calls, texts and emails seeking clarification on the matter, maintained that Ibe’s statement was incorrect.

“I wish to clarify that I am not a member of the APC and cannot therefore contest for its party nomination,” Soludo said.

“I have received hundreds of calls, texts and emails on the matter. Because of the pressure, I sought and obtained the phone contacts of the party chairman to ascertain the veracity of the story.

“I wish to clarify that I am not a member of the APC and therefore not seeking its party nomination.”

Ibe has since explained that the inclusion of Soludo and Uche Ekwunife, a former senator, was not intended to create confusion within the party.

He said the party had since discovered that Soludo was yet to register at his ward as being speculated.

“Soludo has not registered from the ward level; Ekwunife has also not indicated interest in contesting,” he said.

“We premised our action on the fact that Soludo is a friend of government and that a friend of government is assumed a friend of the party.”