By Christian ABURIME
The political arena is, by its nature, a battlefield of ideas. It is where visions for the future clash, where policies are debated, and where the character and competence of those who seek to lead are rightfully placed under intense public scrutiny.
In a functioning democracy, this scrutiny is not a nuisance; it is a necessity. It is within this context that we must address the glaring and unresolved questions surrounding the academic credentials of the Anambra State APC deputy governorship candidate, Uche Ekwunife, and her alarming choice to respond not with facts, but with defamatory smears.
Recently, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo raised serious and specific doubts regarding Ekwunife’s academic qualifications. These were not casual insinuations but pointed inquiries demanding verification: questions about inadequate GCE results that form the foundational basis of her higher education, and the cloud of doubt surrounding her claimed PhD degree, a qualification that remains conspicuously unverifiable.
Instead of rising to the occasion to clear the air, Ekwunife’s response has been a despicable masterclass in political diversion and desperation. Rather than presenting certificates, transcripts, or a simple explanation, she chose to launch a vicious, baseless attack on the character of the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Nonye Soludo, falsely accusing her of infidelity. This tactic is as old as it is pathetic: when you cannot defend the indefensible in your own record, you attempt to drag your opponent into the mud with you.
We must not be distracted. The question before Ndi Anambra is not the fabricated personal life of a respected private citizen, but the very real and verifiable public record of a person asking to be entrusted with high office. The issue is Ekwunife’s credibility deficit for the role of Deputy Governor.
Academic integrity is not a minor issue; it is a fundamental pillar of public trust. A claim to a PhD is a claim to the highest academic achievement, representing years of rigorous research, intellectual discipline, and a contribution to a field of knowledge. To claim such a qualification fraudulently is not a simple resume padding; it is a profound deception that speaks directly to a person’s honesty and integrity. If a candidate cannot be truthful about their own education, on what other matters of state import can we expect them to be honest?
Furthermore, the foundational GCE results are equally critical. They are the gateway to further learning. Any discrepancy here calls into question the entire academic edifice built upon it. Governor Soludo, an internationally renowned economist and professor, understands the immutable value of academic rigour. His credentials are public, verifiable, and beyond reproach. His challenge to Ekwunife was, therefore, not a petty jab but a legitimate demand for transparency from a fellow contender for public office.
Yet, this scandal transcends politics; it is about the example we set for the future and our children. Anambra State is famously known as the “Light of the Nation,” priding itself on the intellectual prowess and entrepreneurial drive of its people. Our young people are encouraged to strive for academic excellence, to work hard for their grades, and to value education as a sure path to upward mobility. What message does it send to them when a deputy governorship candidate appears to stand on a platform of academic fabrication? It tells them that hard work is optional, that integrity is negotiable, and that you can indeed fake it until you make it. This is a catastrophic lesson and a betrayal of the very values we seek to instil.
Therefore, we directly challenge Mrs. Uche Ekwunife: stop the diversionary tactics. Cease the pathetic and defamatory attacks on the Soludo family. The people of Anambra are not fools; we see your strategy for what it is: a smokescreen. Step into the light of public accountability. Provide verifiable, incontrovertible proof of your academic qualifications. Make your claimed PhD certificate and transcripts public. Clarify the discrepancies in your GCE records
All said, leadership begins with integrity. The office of the Deputy Governor is too important to be occupied by someone whose fundamental credibility is in question. Anambra deserves leaders who are built on a foundation of truth, not those who, when challenged, resort to throwing mud to hide the emptiness within. Ndi Anambra demand answers!