Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has said the South-East could improve its chances of producing Nigeria’s next president by supporting President Bola Tinubu and building a political alliance with the South-West.
Soludo made the remarks at a recent event.
Speaking in Igbo, the governor stressed that political leadership in Nigeria often depends on discussions, agreements and cooperation between different regions.
According to the governor, supporting Tinubu, who is from the South-West, could help build a political understanding that would encourage leaders from the same region to support an Igbo presidency when the opportunity arises.
“Presidency is about discussion and agreement. Now that President Tinubu, from the South-West, is in power, if we in the South-East support him, then when power returns to the South after going to the North, the South-West will support an Igbo presidency,” Soludo said.
Soludo is a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), while Tinubu is of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In September, Soludo disclosed that APGA was working in partnership with the Tinubu-led Federal Government and the APC, describing the relationship as a practical arrangement aimed at advancing Nigeria’s development.
He made the disclosure on Thursday during a visit to Anambra State by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
During the engagement, the governor argued that APGA and the APC shared progressive political ideals, adding that the history of the two parties provided a basis for cooperation despite their separate identities.
Soludo noted that APGA was registered in 2002, about 12 years before the APC was formed, and maintained that elements of APGA had contributed to the development of the ruling party.
“Progressives are working and it’s not just a slogan but a statement of truth, the All Progressives Grand Alliance is the oldest political party registered in 2002 and was registered as a progressive. The All Progressives Congress, APC, came about 12 years later including as a consortium a faction of APGA, so even in APC there is a part of APGA DNA,” he said.
The governor maintained that APGA had built a strong political base in Anambra State, where it has remained influential, but argued that political differences should not prevent parties from working together in the national interest.
“APGA has since dug-in in Anambra State and here we say that Anambra is APGA and APGA is Anambra but progressives in Nigeria have no choice but to work for Nigeria’s greatness,” Soludo said.
He added that the shared objective of progressive political forces should be to create a country where citizens have greater economic opportunities and can enjoy sustainable prosperity.
“As progressives we are united by the objective to see a Nigeria where there is shared and sustainable prosperity with expanding opportunities for all,” the governor said.
Soludo described the relationship between APGA, the APC and the Federal Government as a partnership that had produced practical results rather than a political slogan.
“So far, ours is a partnership that works, a partnership between APGA, the federal government, and the APC, it’s a partnership that works,” he added.
The governor has also praised Tinubu over federal government approvals for two major road projects expected to improve transportation links between Anambra and neighbouring states.
In July, Soludo announced that the President had approved the design and procurement processes for the proposed dualisation of the 108-kilometre Otuocha–Anam–Abaji road, which links Anambra and Kogi states, and the 150-kilometre Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube road, which connects Anambra and Imo and provides a route towards the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway through Abia State.
According to Soludo, the approvals followed a meeting with Tinubu on July 1, during which the governor discussed infrastructure projects affecting Anambra and the wider South-East.
He said the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, subsequently requested details of the proposed projects. Soludo added that he submitted the information on July 3 and received confirmation from Umahi on July 15 that the President had approved both roads for design and procurement.
Reacting to the development, the governor expressed appreciation to Tinubu, describing the projects as important to the economic development of the South-East and neighbouring regions.
“I can’t contain my joy and that of my people regarding the great news from DIKESIMBA Anambra; DIKESIMBA NDIGBO, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Soludo argued that the road projects could improve transportation, strengthen commercial activities and deepen economic connections between the South-East, South-South and North Central regions.
“Certainly, President Tinubu has a date with history, and even more so with the Southeast. He continues to demonstrate his avowed commitment to orchestrating the reconstruction of the Southeast, thereby finally healing the wounds of the Civil War. There are several unprecedented, foundational infrastructural rebirths going on in the Southeast at the moment,” the governor said.
Soludo added, “Today, 15th July, I received a message from the Minister of Works that the President has graciously approved both roads for design and procurement. These two roads constitute critical game-changers for the Southeast, South-South and North Central. The man who tamed the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos is certainly redefining politics, and the Southeast won’t be the same again.”
He also thanked Tinubu for approving the projects, expressing confidence that the decision would be remembered positively.
“History will be kind to you,” Soludo told the President.
An Igbo man, Peter Obi, will be on the ballot in 2027, under the opposition Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).