2027: Soludo Inaugurates Tinubu’s Re-election Campaign in Anambra, Urges Igbo to Abandon Opposition Politics
By Titus Eleweke
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has urged Ndigbo to abandon opposition and protest politics and embrace strategic participation in the nation’s political leadership, declaring that the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is crucial to the political and economic future of the South-East.
According to the statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Mr Christian Aburime,Soludo made the call while inaugurating the presidential campaign structure at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka, where he described the cross-party coalition formed in Anambra State as a battle for the soul of Nigeria, Ndigbo and Anambra State.
The governor, who is the Anambra State Coordinator of Tinubu’s re-election campaign, said the coalition was established primarily to secure the President’s return to office in 2027.
Framing the forthcoming election as a contest between emotion and reason, Soludo argued that emotional politics could only prevail temporarily before yielding to strategic calculations.
Addressing candidates contesting other elective positions on different political platforms, he assured them of a level playing field but stressed that the alliance’s central objective remained the re-election of President Tinubu.
Soludo said the decision to align with the Federal Government was rooted in the political history of Ndigbo, recalling that prominent Igbo leaders, including Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr Alex Ekwueme and Dr Chuba Okadigbo, had consistently engaged in national politics.
He maintained that Ndigbo could not afford to isolate themselves from the country’s political dynamics, stressing that active participation in national governance was essential to securing the region’s interests.
According to him, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) recognised this imperative and resolved to align with the Federal Government, noting that the party and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) shared progressive ideals anchored on federalism and shared prosperity.
He added that President Tinubu understood the need for progressives to unite in advancing national development.
Reflecting on his political journey, which began in 1980 under the ideals of “one nation, one destiny,” Soludo cited historical examples to underscore the importance of national political alliances.
He recalled that when Azikiwe contested the presidency, Ekwueme emerged as Vice-President through political alignment at the centre.
The governor urged Ndigbo to carefully consider their long-term political interests, arguing that state revenues alone were insufficient to finance major infrastructure projects, such as federal rail lines and gas pipelines, without strategic partnerships with the Federal Government.
Soludo also pointed to the support Anambra had received from the Tinubu administration despite the President securing just over 5,000 votes in the state during the 2023 presidential election.
He challenged the electorate to consider the potential benefits of stronger political support for Tinubu in 2027, asking what more the state could attract if voters mobilised massively for the President.
He declared that the era of opposition and protest politics practised since 2015 should give way to active participation in national governance.
On the broader political landscape, Soludo argued that a strong incumbent had never been defeated by a fragmented opposition, adding that he had accurately predicted every Nigerian presidential election since 1983.
He further observed that, following the completion of the South’s second presidential term, power was expected to return to the North before rotating back to the South around 2039.
He said the political reality made it imperative for Ndigbo to secure a place within the national political structure now rather than remain on the sidelines.
Addressing relations with political opponents, Soludo said his personal and family ties with rivals remained cordial, despite differences in political strategy and ideology.
He also commended the Federal Government’s fiscal interventions aimed at improving foreign exchange availability for importers, while acknowledging that significant challenges remained.
Outlining the campaign’s operational plans, the governor announced that campaign structures across the state would be streamlined before the end of the following week.
He emphasised that elections were won at polling units and ward levels, urging supporters to remain committed to the campaign and resist opposition attacks and online abuse.
Soludo called on the coalition to remain focused on the truth, saying his decisions were guided by a commitment to securing a better future for coming generations.
The inauguration attracted political leaders across party lines, including representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party and APGA, underscoring the broad realignment behind Tinubu’s re-election bid in Anambra.
Speaking at the event, Senator Anosike said he had initially been sceptical about the gathering but expressed appreciation for the developmental strides he had witnessed in the state.
He said the coalition’s central objective was to ensure Anambra’s direct participation in national governance.
While appealing for unity among political stakeholders during the period of political change, Anosike said candidates contesting on different party tickets were free to demonstrate their individual capacities but must collectively work towards Tinubu’s re-election.
In his remarks, APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, described the gathering as an unprecedented coalition united by the common goal of securing Tinubu’s re-election.
He commended Soludo for facilitating the political alignment and reaffirmed the party’s readiness to mobilise its structures and implement campaign directives to deliver victory at the polls.
