In a dramatic escalation of political and personal tensions in Anambra State, Nigeria, Nonye Soludo, the wife of Governor Charles Soludo, has issued a stern 72-hour ultimatum to Uche Ekwunife, a former senator and the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), demanding a retraction of what she describes as "wilful and malicious" allegations of infidelity. The controversy, which has gripped public attention in the lead-up to the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025, stems from a viral video in which Ekwunife allegedly accused Mrs. Soludo of having an affair with the late former governor of Anambra State, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, and questioned the paternity of her children. Mrs. Soludo has categorically denied these claims, asserting her fidelity to her husband and challenging Ekwunife to substantiate her accusations through a series of public tests, including an oath of fidelity before the Catholic Church’s Blessed Sacrament and DNA paternity tests in reputable hospitals in London. This article delves into the details of the dispute, the context of the allegations, and the broader implications for Anambra’s political landscape.
The Genesis of the Dispute
The public spat between Nonye Soludo and Uche Ekwunife is rooted in a broader political rivalry that has intensified as the Anambra governorship election approaches. The conflict began when Governor Charles Soludo, a renowned economist and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, publicly questioned Uche Ekwunife’s academic qualifications, specifically her claim to hold a doctorate degree and the authenticity of her General Certificate of Education (GCE) results. Soludo’s remarks were perceived as an attempt to discredit Ekwunife’s credibility as a candidate for the APC, a major opposition party challenging Soludo’s All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the upcoming election.
In response, Ekwunife, known for her fiery rhetoric and combative political style, allegedly retaliated by targeting Nonye Soludo in a viral audio recording. According to reports, Ekwunife claimed that Mrs. Soludo had an extramarital affair with the late Governor Mbadinuju during his tenure and suggested that the paternity of her children was questionable. These allegations, which Mrs. Soludo described as “outlandish lies” intended to destroy her family, have sparked widespread outrage and debate, particularly given their deeply personal and defamatory nature.
On Saturday, September 14, 2025, Mrs. Soludo issued a strongly worded statement, published by The Guardian, in which she condemned Ekwunife’s remarks as “wilful and malicious” and demanded an immediate retraction and public apology. She warned that failure to comply within 72 hours would result in legal action, stating, “My lawyers have also been put on notice. I will still as a Christian give Uche a chance to repent and ensure restitution by recanting her wilful and malicious allegations within 72 hours and tendering an unreserved apology. Take note Uche that if you fail to do so, I will take every step necessary to ensure justice and restitution.”
Nonye Soludo’s Rebuttal and Defense
In her statement, Mrs. Soludo vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that she had never met the late Governor Mbadinuju and that her fidelity to her husband, Charles Soludo, has been unwavering throughout their 33-year marriage. “In my 55 years on planet earth, I have known only one man, Chukwuma Soludo. I married him as a virgin and my fidelity to him in 33 years of marriage and for life is ironclad,” she declared, emphasizing her commitment to her marriage and her conservative Catholic values.
Mrs. Soludo also addressed her personal and professional background to counter any insinuations about her character. She noted that she has never worked for anyone else in her life, having built a career as a professional and entrepreneur, running her own companies in Nigeria and abroad. Even as the First Lady of Anambra State, she clarified that she does not rely on public funds, stating, “As first lady of Anambra, I do not have any budget from the government.” This assertion was intended to dispel any notion that her position or resources could be linked to impropriety or dependency.
To further challenge Ekwunife’s accusations, Mrs. Soludo proposed two bold measures to vindicate herself and expose what she described as Ekwunife’s falsehoods. First, she called for both women to swear an oath of fidelity and chastity before the Blessed Sacrament in a Catholic cathedral, invoking the sanctity of the Church and the Bible. “I will swear (with my children) that in my 55 years on earth, I have known only one man—Chukwuma Soludo. On your part, you should also swear (with your children or your political ambitions) that since you got married, you have never cheated on your husband,” she challenged.
Second, Mrs. Soludo proposed that both families undergo DNA paternity tests at three reputable hospitals in London to conclusively determine the paternity of their children. She offered to cover all expenses, including travel costs for Ekwunife and her family, and promised a cash award if the tests confirmed that Ekwunife’s husband is the father of all her children. “Science has made life easy and there are things you cannot lie about nowadays,” Mrs. Soludo stated, emphasizing the reliability of modern technology to settle the dispute. She suggested that the tests be conducted between September and November 2025, aligning with the timeline leading up to the governorship election.
The Political Context
The feud between Nonye Soludo and Uche Ekwunife is not merely a personal dispute but a reflection of the high-stakes political environment in Anambra State. With the governorship election less than two months away, the clash has drawn significant attention, as it involves key figures associated with the two major political parties in the state: APGA, led by Governor Soludo, and the APC, represented by Ekwunife as the deputy governorship candidate. The allegations and counter-allegations have added fuel to an already contentious campaign season, with both sides seeking to gain an advantage in the public’s perception.
Ekwunife’s decision to target Mrs. Soludo personally appears to be a calculated move to undermine Governor Soludo’s reputation and moral authority. By questioning the integrity of his family, Ekwunife may have aimed to weaken Soludo’s standing among voters, particularly in a state where family values and personal character are significant considerations in politics. However, Mrs. Soludo’s swift and forceful response, backed by her willingness to subject herself to public scrutiny through oaths and DNA tests, has shifted the narrative, casting Ekwunife as the aggressor and raising questions about her own credibility.
Mrs. Soludo’s statement also alluded to Ekwunife’s alleged history of using similar tactics against political opponents. She claimed that Ekwunife has a “rehearsed strategy” of targeting the families of her rivals, citing an example of Ekwunife allegedly attempting to destroy the reputation of a senator’s wife during a previous political contest. “Well, let me assure you Uche Ekwunife that you are in for a different season with a different woman,” Mrs. Soludo warned, signaling her determination to confront the allegations head-on.
The Personal and Social Dimensions
Beyond the political implications, the dispute has sparked a broader conversation about the role of personal attacks in Nigerian politics and the toll they take on individuals and families. Mrs. Soludo’s statement highlighted her reluctance to engage in the “shameless obscenities” that she associates with politics, noting that she has lived a quiet family life and shunned publicity. Her decision to respond publicly, she explained, was driven by Ekwunife’s attempt to “drag my innocent children into the arena and set to destroy them.”
The inclusion of Mrs. Soludo’s children in Ekwunife’s allegations has been particularly controversial, as it crosses a widely recognized boundary in Nigerian political culture, where family members, especially children, are generally considered off-limits. Mrs. Soludo’s emotional appeal as a mother and wife resonated with many, as she described her pain at seeing her children targeted by what she called “fabricated inanities.” Her reference to Ekwunife as a “mad dog” and a “madman” underscored the intensity of her anger and her belief that Ekwunife’s actions were reckless and destructive.
Mrs. Soludo’s emphasis on her Christian faith and conservative values also served to frame the dispute as a moral battle. By invoking the Blessed Sacrament and offering to swear an oath of fidelity, she positioned herself as a woman of integrity and piety, contrasting sharply with Ekwunife’s alleged lack of “shame or character.” This appeal to religious and cultural norms may resonate with Anambra’s predominantly Christian population, particularly those who value chastity and family honor.
The Legal and Ethical Implications
Mrs. Soludo’s threat of legal action signals that the dispute could have far-reaching consequences for Ekwunife, both politically and personally. Defamation laws in Nigeria allow individuals to seek redress for false statements that harm their reputation, and Mrs. Soludo’s reference to her lawyers being “put on notice” suggests that she is prepared to pursue this avenue if Ekwunife does not comply with her demands. A lawsuit could further escalate the conflict, potentially damaging Ekwunife’s campaign and public image as the election approaches.
Ethically, Ekwunife’s decision to make such serious allegations without evidence has raised questions about the boundaries of political discourse. While Nigerian politics is known for its combative nature, targeting an opponent’s family with unverified claims of infidelity and paternity disputes is widely seen as crossing a line. Mrs. Soludo’s challenge for Ekwunife to substantiate her claims through an oath and DNA tests places the burden of proof on the former senator, forcing her to either back up her allegations or face accusations of malicious falsehoods.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
The controversy has dominated headlines in Nigeria, with media outlets and social media platforms buzzing with reactions to the dispute. Supporters of Governor Soludo and APGA have rallied behind Mrs. Soludo, praising her for her dignity and resolve in the face of what they describe as baseless attacks. Many have commended her willingness to subject herself to public tests, viewing it as a bold demonstration of confidence in her integrity.
Conversely, some APC supporters have defended Ekwunife, arguing that her remarks were a legitimate response to Soludo’s attack on her academic credentials. They contend that politics is inherently a rough arena and that Ekwunife was within her rights to hit back at the governor’s family. However, this view has been met with criticism, particularly from those who argue that targeting a spouse and children is unjustifiable, regardless of the provocation.
Social media platforms, particularly X, have been flooded with opinions on the matter, with hashtags related to the dispute trending in Nigeria. Some users have called for Ekwunife to accept Mrs. Soludo’s challenges, arguing that doing so would demonstrate her confidence in her allegations. Others have urged both parties to de-escalate the conflict, warning that it risks overshadowing the substantive issues of the governorship election.
The Road Ahead
As the 72-hour ultimatum issued by Mrs. Soludo approaches, all eyes are on Uche Ekwunife to see how she will respond. Will she retract her statements and offer a public apology, as demanded, or will she double down on her allegations, risking legal action and further public backlash? Her decision could have significant implications for her campaign and the APC’s prospects in the November election.
For Mrs. Soludo, the dispute represents a rare foray into the public spotlight, driven by her determination to protect her family’s reputation. Her willingness to confront Ekwunife head-on, coupled with her bold challenges, has positioned her as a formidable figure in her own right, separate from her role as the First Lady. Her statement’s closing remarks about her husband—“the globally celebrated professor is too clean, too decent, and too sophisticated to waste his time on low lives”—suggest that she views the dispute as beneath her family’s dignity but necessary to address given the severity of the accusations.
The controversy also raises broader questions about the state of political discourse in Nigeria and the extent to which personal attacks can overshadow policy debates. With the Anambra governorship election looming, voters will be watching closely to see how this feud influences the campaigns of both APGA and the APC. For now, the ball is in Uche Ekwunife’s court, and her next move could determine not only the trajectory of this dispute but also her political future in Anambra State.
