By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Governor-elect, Prof Charles Soludo, has opted for the accolade of Prof Chukwuma Soludo or Mr Governor for those who may not be comfortable with calling him by his name, rather than be referred to as ‘His Excellency’.

He made the statement during the inauguration of the transition committee on Thursday saying that some of such little mistakes were things that would be addressed during the meeting of the transition committee.

Soludo said: “I was called His Excellency a while ago, but may I plead that that Excellency tag should please wait for now.

“That is part of what we will discuss in this committee. You may just need to learn how to call me by my name, but if that isn’t good for you, then, may I request that you simply call me ‘Charlie Nwangbafor’. If that one is so difficult for you that you must be formal in addressing me, then you can address me as Mr Governor.

Meanwhile, the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano’s absence at the event is raising suspicion that there may be an ongoing rift between the governor-elect and his political godfather.

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C.Don Adinuba, said that he and the governor were not invited for the programme.

He added: “I am not a member of the committee, moreover I have serious businesses in my office.

“The governor is not there and I am not there. I am not bothered by not being there. I have more serious things to do in the ministry.”

While the event lasted, some correspondents of national media organisations in Anambra State which includeNew Telegraph,Daily Trust,The GuardianandNigeria Pilotand News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, were barred from covering the inauguration ceremony.

A member of the Soludo media team however bragged that they are not interested in coverage of national media.

According to him, “Soludo can govern without the media. He has media influencers to cover his events as they did during the election.”