Leadership (Abuja)
Chibuzo Ukaibe
6 November 2009
Abuja — Embattled gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday said the kidnap of his octogenarian father has brought home the reality of how insecure life and property have become in the state.
Pa Simeon Soludo spent nine days in captivity after he was seized by unknown gunmen in his Isuofia country home.
Prof. Soludo, at the national secretariat of the PDP yesterday, told reporters that the experience was harrowing, adding that it has emboldened their resolve to make kidnapping a thing of the past in the state and wherever they can find it.
He said, "I'm very excited and I give all glory and adoration to God almighty. I think God has answered the prayers of millions of Anambra people and Nigerians. So, we simply say to God be the glory. We are emboldened by the experience that we passed through for the nine days he was in captivity.
"So we have resolved to serve Anambra and to serve Nigerians. And it has emboldened us also to make kidnapping history in the state and wherever we can find it. It's a harrowing experience and you don't wish that for your enemies. But it brought home realities about insecurity of lives and property in the state and the need for all of us to rededicate our lives to make it better than we met it".
Asked whether he has spoken to his father since his release, he said, "Yes I did. I spoke to him immediately he was released last night and we have also spoken this morning. I think he is frail and will probably need some medical attention." He however stated that the identity of the kidnappers is still not known.
Meanwhile, the National Working Committee of the PDP has appointed a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the party in the state until a new State Executive Committee is elected.
According to a press statement by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, this followed the expiration of the tenure of the Anambra State Executive Committee.
Members of the caretaker committee are Dr. Osita Ogbu, (Chairman) Hon. Anthony Muobike, (Member/Secretary), Vincent Achigwe, Chief Chisata Okoye, Hon. Emmanuel Nsoedo, Chief Alphonsus Oguonu, Hon. K. G. Enemuoh , Mrs. Oby Okeke-Okwubanego and Chief Solomon O. D. Onyekwelu.
Other members are Chief Dennis Ngene, Chief Odumegwu Sunny, Hon. Mbamalu Emmanuel, Chief Joe Oforkansi, Dr. Ugochukwu Okafor, Hon. Okwudili Uzoka, Barr. Ike Onyeabor, Handel Okoli and Dr. Harry Oranezi.
The NWC directed the dissolved state executives to handover all party property to the new caretaker committee immediately.
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Thank God 4 the safe return of Pa Simeon Soludo.My prayer is that we Anambrarians should love ourselves and be our brothers keeper.finally a leader is going to emerge on FEB 6.And we should co operate with the governor elect foe the betterment of our state.Longlive Anambra state.Longlive Nigeria.
THANKGOD Soludo's father is finally released by kidnappers ,they are those who instead of seeking political seat in right way they go ahead bringing more shame of kidnerping saga to nigeria ,PDP must change their system to internal democracy and do fast to push in electoral reform in nigeria before 2009 runs off, otherswise this country is going into dangerous situation before the 2011 election.