By Izunna Okafor, Awka
In what appears to be a historic convergence and landmark moment in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has publicly declared the support of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Anambra State for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. The governor’s declaration came on Wednesday, May 8, 2025, during President Tinubu’s historic working visit to Anambra State —a visit that drew national attention, brought together some of Nigeria’s most prominent political and business figures, and also featured the commissioning of a series of legacy projects executed by the Soludo-led administration.
Addressing a mammoth crowd at the newly renovated and upgraded Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka during the grand civic reception and stakeholders’ meeting held in the President’s honour, Governor Soludo described the visit as historic, symbolic, and deeply consequential for Anambra and the Southeast. He emphasized that APGA and APC are not political enemies but ideological siblings, both rooted in progressivism and committed to national transformation.
According to him, “All progressives must unite,” even as he urged President Tinubu to lead a new movement of progressives that transcends partisan barriers and focuses instead on ideas, performance, and united purpose.
“We are brothers,” he emphasized, adding that “We are one family with one goal — a better Nigeria. Anambra State stands firmly behind you, Mr. President, in 2027 and beyond.” He noted that Anambra is throwing its full weight behind President Tinubu, not just for what he represents today but for the renewed hope he inspires in the future of the country, further emphasizing that the support is rooted in ideological alignment and in the President’s renewed commitment to national unity and transformation.
President Tinubu’s visit to Anambra was marked by the commissioning of several landmark projects, including the newly-built Anambra State Government House; the Governor’s Lodge — the first in 34 years; the Solution Fun City; a refurbished State House of Assembly Complex; and the prestigious Emeka Anyaoku Institute of International Studies and Diplomacy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. These achievements, Governor Soludo said, represent only the beginning of his administration’s transformative journey for the state, highlighting some other key achievements and programs of his administration in different sectors and re-assuring Ndị Anambra of brighter future ahead.
Governor Soludo, concluding, re-emphasized the importance of collaborative governance and national unity. He re-affirmed that his administration shares philosophical alignment with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stating, “We’re getting all that is due to us from Abuja, and the partnership is working.”
Responding, President Tinubu, visibly moved by the reception and infrastructural strides, described Anambra as a rising star, not just in the southeast but in the Nigerian federation at large. While praising Soludo as “visionary leader and a brilliant friend who knows the way” the President also attested that Soludo’s past leadership in the Central Bank of Nigeria was proof of his reformist capabilities, noting how he (Soludo) successfully consolidated the banking sector of the country during the period and at a time many considered it impossible.
“Soludo is still my friend, he is a brilliant man and he knows the way. We will work together…
“I know him. I trusted him with the Central Bank of Nigeria, and he delivered. Today, he is delivering again for his people,” the President stated. He also commended the dramatic improvement in security across the state, declaring Anambra as one of the safest in the country — an achievement he attributed to Soludo’s community-based leadership style and his investment in peace and public order.
President Tinubu also announced several federal commitments to the state. In reaction to the Governor’s request, he also pledged immediate intervention in addressing Anambra’s gully erosion crisis, which has earned it the unfortunate label as Nigeria’s erosion capital. He further promised that critical federal roads — including the Onitsha–Owerri Road, Anambra–Kogi highway, and Amansea–Nsukka Road — would receive urgent attention. He also revealed that Anambra would be captured in the next phase of the national railway master plan.
In a symbolic yet cheerful remark, Tinubu requested Governor Soludo to find him a land for his retirement home in Anambra State “Soludo, please find me a plot of land in Anambra for my retirement home. I want to be part of this land of progress.” The statement stirred up a thunderous applause among the audience, especially the youths and some Yoruba indigenes living in Anambra, who chanted joyfully, “Na our papa be this o, we no get another papa!”
The event drew a galaxy of distinguished personalities from across the political, traditional, business, and religious sectors, including the Governors of Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Delta, Gombe, and Borno States, among other state and federal political figures.
In a goodwill message, an elder statesman and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, while lauding the commissioning of signature projects in the state (including the Institute named after him), also expressed optimism for the future, further praising both Tinubu and Soludo for their developmental strides and for prioritizing national interest above party affiliations. “This kind of partnership is what Nigeria desperately needs,” he proposed, praying for divine guidance for the President, while also declaring his support for Governor Soludo’s re-election.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Southeast Zone, Lady Ada Chukwudozie, hailed Soludo for achieving so much without borrowing, describing him as a financial wizard whose achievements should be emulated across the nation; while business mogul Chief Emeka Offor affirmed that President Tinubu’s visits to commission projects at non-APC states such as Enugu, Abia, and Anambra demonstrates an admirable sense of national unity and maturity. He opined that Tinubu’s presence and words were a tacit endorsement of Soludo for a second term.
Similarly speaking, the Secretary General of the Ohaneze Ndị Igbo Worldwide and former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Chief Emeka Sibeudu praised the Tinubu-led federal government’s establishment of the Southeast Development Commission and the appointment of Anambra’s Mark Okoye as its pioneer Chairman, describing it as a clear sign that the Anambra-Abuja partnership is already bearing fruit.
On his own part, Prince Rapuluchukwu, a youth agropreneur and beneficiary of Governor Soludo’s “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative, attested to the transformative impact of the Governor’s programs on the lives of young people across the state, revealing that Anambra now export talents abroad while Soludo produces over 5000 millionaires annually — far above the 1000 annually he promised.
From the civil service, Mr. Bayo Adeyinka, an Osun state indigene who was appointed a Permanent Secretary in Anambra State by Governor Soludo, described the state as peaceful, inclusive and very comfortable for all, including the non-indigenes, hailing the Soludo’s administration’s people-centered governance style.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTUC) and Traditional Ruler of Obosi, H.R.M. Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III), lauded the President for the working visit.
On behalf of Ndị Anambra, Igwe Iweka conferred on President Tinubu the chieftaincy title of “Dikesimba Anambra” (Hero from Another Land), in recognition of his statesmanship and renewed commitment to the Southeast — an honour heartily appreciated by President Tinubu, who recounted that he had earlier received the title of “Omenife Awka” from the Traditional Ruler of Awka (Igwe Gibson Nwosu) back in 2005, reinforcing his emotional and longstanding bond with Anambra.
As the 2027 general elections inch closer, speculations abound that the evolving alliance between APGA and APC, championed by Soludo and Tinubu, may herald a major realignment in Nigeria’s political history —one driven not by partisanship but by shared purpose, visionary governance, and the urgent need to deliver true dividends of democracy to the people.
More photos and videos from the scenes:
