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An obviously flustered newly inaugurated Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo has embarked on damage control exercise in apologizing to the citizens and other embarrassed Nigerians over a disgraceful outing by former First Lady, Ebelechukwu Obiano, in fighting Bianca, widow of the late Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu at the swearing-in ceremony.
In a release by Joe Anatune, Head, Soludo Media, Soludo, short of mentioning names, 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 noted.
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, got a slap from the wife of the Biafra Warlord, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu.
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.
Eyewitness accounts said Obiano’s wife, Ebelechukwu, initiated the fight by taking on Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu at the event.
The drama ensued when Obiano’s wife arrived the inauguration after Soludo and his Deputy, Onyekachi Ibezim, had been sworn in by Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, at exactly 10.55am.
Obiano’s wife, who sat close to Senator Uche Ekwunife and Anambra Speaker Uche Okafor, stood up to stay with her husband when the fracas happened.
On her way to where Obiano was sitting, she saw Ojukwu’s wife gorgeously dressed and seated.
Facing her, Mrs. Obiano reportedly said: “You said we’re not going to be Governor, you ‘bitch.”.
An enraged Bianca responded with a slap.
In retaliation, Obiano’s wife held Bianca’s hair and dress before security operatives and other dignitaries barricaded the arena, warning reporters to dismantle their equipment immediately.
While the fight lasted, Obiano, Soludo and Senator Uche Ekwunife among others were stunned.
Before Mrs. Obiano got to the arena, security operatives stopped her from driving through the main gate while Bishops were allowed in through the same route.
She alighted from her vehicle and started hitting the gate, ordering the security operatives to open for her.
But the security operatives refused, saying they were working on instruction.
After the fracas, Obiano immediately left the inauguration venue with his wife, looking dejected, before Soludo’s speech.
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.