They claimed that Chude was arrested over an anti-Soludo tweet.
Nigerian tweeps have knocked Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State for denying knowledge of the arrest of a Labour Party supporter, Nnamdi Chude.
They claimed that Chude was arrested over an anti-Soludo tweet.
Chude who is a supporter of the Labour Party was arrested by the operatives of the Anambra State Police Command in Onitsha on Saturday evening for allegedly likening the Soludo-led government to the administration of former governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju.
While the State House of Assembly election was going on in the state on Saturday, Chude tweeted that thugs allegedly operating under the directive of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) - Governor Soludo's political party, were on a rampage, snatching ballot boxes and disrupting elections in 3'3 and Awada areas of the state.
Chude had tweeted, "#Breaking: APGA thugs are on rampage in Trans-Nkisi, 3’3 & Awada snatching ballot box.
"LP is winning comfortably across Anambra.
"I can't remember the last time I heard of ballot box snatching in Anambra. This is the height of it. @CCSoludo has taken us back to Mbadinauju’s era."
After the tweet, he was reportedly arrested at around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday by security operatives in Onitsha and swiftly taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka where he is being detained.
However, Governor Soludo on Sunday afternoon denied knowledge of Chude's arrest, saying that the state commissioner of police has confirmed his arrest but the state government has no information about the specific allegations or basis of his arrest.
"The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command has confirmed to me, that one Mr Nnamdi Chude was arrested yesterday (18/03/23) in Anambra by the Cyber Crime Unit of Interpol and taken to Abuja today (19/03/23).
"The Anambra State Government has no information about the specific allegations or basis of his arrest. CC Soludo CFR," the governor wrote on his verified Twitter page.
Reacting to his denial of being involved in Chude's arrest, a Twitter user, @ofem_jnr said, "Pathological liar. Shameless power monger. May you meet your recompense soon."
Another angry Nigerian, @euniceokwari said, "I know how I actively campaigned for you offline,in my WhatsApp status and all that,alas I made a grave mistake because I’m trying to sync the man I campaigned for and the current man in the last few months, I was so wrong."
Also, @EduikeCollecti2 apologised for being among the people who voted Governor Soludo into power in 2021.
"My sincere apology to my fellow obidient for ever voting this man.
“I know I deserve no forgiveness but I'm here pleading for forgiveness cos I still can't believe I was among those that voted this man into power," he said.
@iamdpassword said, "The chief security officer of the state does not know why a citizen of his state was arrested."
@Macalauleyone wrote, "Soludo why have you suddenly Squandered the enormous good will that brought you to office? I remember celebrating your victory.
"I'm very sad on the path you have chosen, this will only end your political career sooner than expected, I urge you to make peace with your people."