• Apologizes over breach of protocol, promises to reconcile Ebele and Bianca
Less than six hours after his inauguration as the sixth Governor of Anambra, Professor Charles Soludo has announced the appointment of three persons into his administration.
The statement containing the new appointments was released to newsmen by Mr Joe Anatune, on Thursday in Awka.
The statement announced the appointment of Prof Osita Chukwulobelu as Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) and Dr Chukwudi Okoli as the Accountant General.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Mr Chinedu Nwoye was appointed as Deputy Chief Of Staff/State Chief of Protocol.
In another development, the newly inaugurated Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has apologized to all Anambra people, friends and guests who attended the ceremony over a public fisticuffs
between former First Lady, Ebelechukwu Obiano and Iyom Bianca, widow of the late Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The apology was contained in a release by Joe Anatune, Head, Soludo Media, where he apologized to all Anambra people, friends and guests who attended his inauguration on Thursday, March 17, as the Anambra State governor for the breach of protocol.
“The breach was caused by improper communication which itself arose from a personal issue between the two parties involved in the breach”, the statement partly read.
It added that steps are being taken to resolve the misunderstanding and restore the parties to their previous relationship, stressing that Anambra State has over the years been known for a huge stock of social harmony, and the stock will increase substantially in the years ahead as part of the concerted effort to accelerate the state’s development.
At the Swearing-in Ceremony, a commotion ensued. The immediate past First Lady, Ebelechukwu Willie Obiano, gave wife of the Biafra Warlord, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, a thunderous slap.
The embarrassing incident occurred immediately after Soludo took his oath of office and finished inspecting the Guard of Honour mounted for him by the police.
According to sources, dignitaries including Ex Gov Obiano were already seated when Mrs Obiano stepped in and moved to the front row where the widow of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu was seated. It is not clear what led to her moving close to the former Beauty Queen. Suddenly, she landed her a slap.
The action drew the attention of security agents and some personalities who pulled Mrs Obiano off the hold of Bianca who was visibly shocked at the action.
It took the concerted effort of security operatives to bring the situation under control.
Mrs Obiano was later taken away and shortly afterwards, her husband left the venue after his wife sealed his eight year’s administration with such public disgrace.