The political tension in Anambra State has escalated following a bold public challenge issued by Mrs. Nonye Frances Soludo, wife of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, directed at Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, the deputy governorship candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mrs. Soludo’s challenge follows allegations made by Senator Ekwunife accusing her of being close to former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju and involving her children in political mudslinging. In a strongly worded statement released on September 12, 2025, Mrs. Soludo described these claims as malicious fabrications aimed at tarnishing her family’s reputation.
The Anambra First Lady, known for her quiet family life and conservative Catholic upbringing, invited Senator Ekwunife to jointly swear an oath of fidelity and chastity before the Blessed Virgin Mary at any Catholic cathedral. Mrs. Soludo committed herself, alongside her children, to swear that her 33 years of marriage to Governor Soludo have been marked by faithfulness and chastity since marrying as a virgin.
In return, she challenged Senator Ekwunife to do likewise, swearing either with her children or her political ambitions that she has been faithful to her husband since marriage. This proposal is intended to settle their differences publicly and once and for all.
Taking her challenge further, Mrs. Soludo offered to submit both families to paternity tests conducted in three reputable London hospitals. She pledged to cover all expenses, including travel and treatment for Senator Ekwunife and her family. Should the results affirm Ekwunife’s husband fathered her children, Mrs. Soludo promised to congratulate the senator and award her a cash prize.
The First Lady’s unveiling of her unyielding stance underscores her confidence in her family’s integrity and paints a picture of determination to defend their name with dignity. She also stated that her earlier attempts to ignore Ekwunife’s “habitual tantrums” ended when innocent children became targets of political vendettas.
Mrs. Soludo’s statement likened their political rivalry to a long-distance race, emphasizing her readiness to engage with grace, character, and resilience.
The saga traces back to public disputes concerning academic qualifications and personal allegations between Governor Soludo and Senator Ekwunife, now intensified by personal challenges and calls for transparency.
This confrontation adds a new and dramatic dimension to the build-up toward the November 8 Anambra gubernatorial election, capturing widespread public and media attention as both parties await responses.
More than news- Its Icegate