Sir Paul Chukwuma, the Young Progressive Party (YPP) gubernatorial candidate in Anambra State, has pushed back against recent remarks made by Governor Charles Soludo regarding the academic qualifications of governorship contenders.
Governor Soludo had, during the inauguration of his campaign council, ridiculed certain aspirants for allegedly presenting dubious academic credentials.
He dismissed them as individuals more suited for “tipper garages” than the Government House.
In response, Chukwuma’s media team released a strongly worded statement criticizing what they called a “comic campaign” and asserting that Chukwuma is more qualified academically and otherwise than all other candidates, including the incumbent governor.
“We have watched with interest Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s attempt to mock 47-year-old Paul Chukwuma, suggesting he is too young for leadership,” the statement said.
“Ironically, at 47, Sir Paul is the most prepared to lead Anambra, based on a solid and verifiable academic and professional track record.”
The YPP candidate’s team accused Soludo of underperformance, citing criticisms from some of his academic peers who reportedly view his tenure as disappointing especially when compared to previous governors with less impressive educational backgrounds.
The statement also took aim at Soludo’s age and health, hinting that his capacity to govern may be waning.
“At his age and as a grandfather, it’s clear Soludo has little left to offer, as the past three years have clearly shown,” it added.
Highlighting Chukwuma’s educational achievements, the statement described him as a “first-class graduate in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka,” who later earned another first-class degree in Law from Baze University and completed an LLM with distinction from the University of Derby. Beyond academics, Chukwuma is also described as a successful entrepreneur with businesses in multiple sectors.
Chukwuma’s team further accused Soludo of avoiding pressing governance issues by engaging in personal attacks.
They pointed to recent insecurity in Awka, where three residents were reportedly killed, as a more urgent concern than political jabs.
“Soludo’s ego and attempts at distraction will not deter Sir Paul Chukwuma from his mission to rescue Anambra,” the statement concluded.
“The safety and progress of Anambra State must take precedence over age-based mockery or empty rhetoric.”
