Mrs. Nonye Frances Soludo, the First Lady of Anambra State, has publicly responded to attacks from former Senator Uche Ekwunife that targeted the Soludo family, describing the allegations as baseless and a dangerous escalation of political mudslinging. She issued a strong warning on Saturday, emphasizing that such personal attacks on her, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and their children will no longer be tolerated.
In her statement, Mrs. Soludo expressed disbelief and disappointment at Ekwunife’s actions, highlighting their past personal relationship. “This is a woman for whom I have cooked and fed, together with her children, on several occasions. For her to fabricate criminal allegations against me and my children without provocation shows someone who can even kill,” she said, characterizing the accusations as “madness taken too far.”
72-hour ultimatum and legal warning
Mrs. Soludo further announced that she has put her legal team on alert, giving Ekwunife a 72-hour window to retract her statements and issue a public apology. She described the attacks as part of a political tactic aimed at undermining opponents through their families, and vowed not to allow such behavior to go unchallenged. “I will not ignore this. You have 72 hours to recant your statements, or you will face the full force of the law,” she warned.
In addition to the legal warning, Mrs. Soludo made several extraordinary demands intended to restore the family’s honor. She challenged Ekwunife to swear an oath of fidelity and chastity before the Blessed Sacrament in a Catholic cathedral, reinforcing her commitment to personal integrity. She also demanded paternity tests for her and Governor Soludo’s children, to be conducted in reputable London hospitals, with all expenses borne by Ekwunife.
Integrity and family values
The First Lady highlighted her conservative Catholic upbringing and the values she has upheld throughout her 55 years. “I pride myself on my chastity. In my 55 years, I have known only one man, Chukwuma Soludo. As a woman of conservative Catholic upbringing, I challenge you to do the same,” she stated, underscoring her lifelong commitment to fidelity and family honor.
Mrs. Soludo also pointed out that she has always lived a quiet and decent life, never relying on public funds, and has remained faithful in her 33-year marriage. While she avoids politics, she made it clear that protecting her family’s reputation is non-negotiable. “I have no desire for politics, but I will defend the integrity of my family at all costs,” she affirmed.
Dismissing the attacks
Finally, Mrs. Soludo dismissed Ekwunife’s comments as “hilarious emotional outbursts and infantile invectives,” while reaffirming her husband’s character. She described Governor Soludo as “too clean, too decent, and too sophisticated to waste his time on low lives,” emphasizing that the family remains steadfast despite the attacks and will not be intimidated by baseless claims aimed at tarnishing their reputation.