The inauguration of Chukwuma Soludo as Anambra State governor yesterday was ruined by a confrontation between the wife of the immediate-past governor, Willie Obiano, and the wife of late Ikemba Nnewi, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Bianca is a former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Permanent Representative to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (WTO), and also a Board of Trustees member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), on which platform Soludo was elected.
Mrs Obiano who had arrived at the venue late was seen addressing Bianca with strong words.
She was heard telling Bianca: “You said we were not going to be governor.”
As Mrs Obiano appeared to nudge Bianca’s shoulder, the former beauty queen stood and appeared to slap the former First Lady, removing her headgear in the ensuing scuffle.
Mrs Obiano held onto Bianca’s hair and dress before security operatives and guests separated them.
Following the incident, Obiano left the venue with his wife before Soludo’s speech.
Soludo apologised for the breach of protocol, promising to intervene in the rift between Mrs Obiano and Bianca.
In a statement by his media aide, Joe Anatune, Soludo said: “The breach was caused by improper communication, which itself arose from a personal issue between the two parties involved in the breach.
“Steps are being taken to resolve the misunderstanding and restore the parties to their previous relationship.
“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,” he said.
