AWKA — High-ranking dignitaries, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, have arrived at the Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri for the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and his deputy, Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim, for their second term in office.
The Vice President, representing the Federal Government, was joined by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, highlighting the national significance of the transition in Anambra State.
Oath of Office
Governor Soludo and Dr. Ibezim are scheduled to take the oath of office today at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka. The ceremony follows Soludo’s decisive victory in the November 8, 2025, gubernatorial election, where he secured a mandate across all 21 local government areas under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Security and Logistics
The Anambra State Police Command and other security agencies have deployed a massive joint task force to ensure a hitch-free event. Several major roads leading to the venue have been cordoned off, with traffic diverted to allow for the smooth movement of the presidential and diplomatic convoys.
Distinguished Attendance
In addition to the former presidents, the event has drawn a diverse crowd of political leaders, including:
- Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General.
- Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State.
- Members of the South-East Governors’ Forum.
- Prominent traditional rulers and captains of industry.
The Vision for “Soludo 2.0”
The Governor is expected to use his inaugural address to outline the “Soludo 2.0” agenda, which reportedly focuses on completing the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City (AMIC), expanding the state’s digital infrastructure, and enhancing security through community-based policing models.
The day’s proceedings will culminate in a state banquet, with a formal Inauguration Thanksgiving Mass scheduled for Sunday, March 22, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral.
