AWKA, ANAMBRA — The political landscape of Southeast Nigeria has been jolted in January 2026 by a deepening rift between Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his predecessor, Peter Obi, as strategic maneuvers for the 2027 presidential election take center stage.
The long-standing friction between the two leaders escalated significantly in late 2025 and early 2026, shifting from local governance critiques to a high-stakes battle over national alliances and regional leadership.
The APGA-Tinubu Alliance
In a move that has reshaped regional politics, Governor Soludo formally declared that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will support President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027. Soludo cited a 22-year friendship with the President and an “ideological alignment” between APGA and the ruling APC as the basis for this partnership. Analysts view this as a strategic effort to isolate Peter Obi in his home state by leveraging federal support for Soludo’s administration.Â
Peter Obi’s 2027 Trajectory
While Soludo consolidates power within APGA, Peter Obi has formally signaled his intent to contest the 2027 presidency. In a significant development on December 31, 2025, Obi defected from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), joining a broader opposition coalition intended to challenge the APC.Â
Key Flashpoints in 2026
- The “League” Dispute:Â Following Soludo’s re-election in late 2025, Obi dismissed the Governor’s regional influence as “junior league” politics, asserting that his own focus remains on the “Champions League” of national governance. Soludo retorted by labeling Obi a “frustrated, clubless politician” who is wandering between parties.
- The One-Term Pledge: Tensions peaked over Obi’s vow to serve only a single four-year term if elected in 2027. Soludo publicly mocked the promise, suggesting that any politician making such a claim should undergo a “psychiatric evaluation”. Obi responded by questioning the mental fitness of those who dismiss constitutional integrity and service-oriented leadership.
- Grassroots Testing: As of January 17, 2026, both camps are mobilizing for the upcoming May 31 local government elections in Anambra [previous context]. This vote is widely regarded as a litmus test for Obi’s “Obidient” movement against Soludo’s state-wide structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.Â
Strategic Implications
The Soludo-Obi conflict is no longer merely a local dispute; it represents a fundamental split in the Southeast’s approach to the 2027 cycle. While Soludo advocates for a strategic partnership with the “center” (the APC), Obi continues to build an alternative opposition front through the ADC and youth-led movements. Political observers warn that this fragmentation may hinder the region’s ability to present a unified front in the next presidential race.
