Soludo aide rejects Peter Obi’s claim of godparent role

An aide to Anambra State First Lady Nonye Soludo has rejected former governor Peter Obi’s claim that he and his wife are godparents to the children of Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Daniel Ezeigwe said in a statement on Saturday that the clarification followed the widespread circulation of a video in which Obi described himself and his wife as godparents to Soludo’s children. The video had generated calls and enquiries seeking an explanation.

Obi made the remark on Friday at the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ 22nd Conference in Enugu. He said that, despite political differences, there was no quarrel between him and Soludo, adding that the two families were close and would remain cordial. Ezeigwe said the claim, as presented, was incorrect.

He clarified that Nonye Soludo is the confirmation godmother to Obi’s daughter, while Margaret Obi, Obi’s wife, is the baptismal godmother to one of Soludo’s daughters. “Neither Mr Obi nor Professor Soludo has served as a godparent to the other’s children,” the aide said. He added that Obi might have misspoken while making his remarks, but said the clarification was necessary because of the attention the video had received.

The statement said the relationship between the two families remained cordial and urged the public and media to disregard any impression that Obi was godfather to any of Soludo’s children. It did not indicate any dispute between the families beyond the clarification of the relationships.