2027: Soludo Inaugurates Tinubu Re-election Campaign Structure in Anambra, Calls for End to Opposition Politics

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has inaugurated the campaign structure for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the state, urging the South-East to move away from what he described as opposition and protest politics and embrace greater participation in national governance.

The inauguration, held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka, brought together political leaders and stakeholders from different political parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party.

Speaking at the event, Soludo, who serves as the Anambra State Coordinator of the Tinubu re-election campaign, described the emerging cross-party alliance as a political movement with implications for Nigeria, the South-East and Anambra State.

He argued that the region must reconsider its political strategy and position itself more actively within the nation’s central political structure.

According to the governor, the era of opposition and protest politics that has largely characterised the South-East’s political engagement since 2015 should give way to what he described as strategic participation in national governance.

Soludo characterised the 2027 presidential election as a contest between emotion and reason, arguing that political decisions should be guided by long-term interests rather than sentiments.

He said the primary objective of the coalition was to secure President Tinubu’s re-election, while assuring candidates contesting other elective positions on different party platforms of a level playing field.

“The unified focus of this strategic alliance is the re-election of President Bola Tinubu,” he stated.

Citing the political history of the South-East, Soludo recalled that prominent Igbo leaders, including Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr Alex Ekwueme and Dr Chuba Okadigbo, played significant roles in national politics.

He maintained that Ndigbo could not afford to isolate themselves from national political developments.

“The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) recognises this imperative and has resolved to align with the central administration,” the governor said.

He further described APGA and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as parties with shared progressive ideals, particularly in their positions on federalism and shared prosperity.

Soludo also argued that state governments alone could not deliver major infrastructure projects, such as federal rail lines and gas pipelines, without effective partnerships with the Federal Government.

Reflecting on the 2023 presidential election, the governor noted that Tinubu secured just over 5,000 votes in Anambra State but maintained that his administration had nevertheless extended support to the state.

He questioned the level of federal support Anambra could attract if more residents backed the President in the 2027 election.

On the broader political landscape, Soludo observed that incumbent governments and fragmented opposition parties have historically shaped electoral outcomes, adding that he had accurately predicted the outcome of every Nigerian presidential election since 1983.

He also spoke about the anticipated rotation of presidential power between the North and South, arguing that the South-East needed to establish a stronger presence in national political calculations ahead of future leadership transitions.

On his relationship with political opponents in the state, the governor said political disagreements had not affected his personal relationships with individuals across party lines, stressing that their differences were largely rooted in political strategies and ideologies.

He also acknowledged ongoing Federal Government fiscal interventions aimed at improving foreign exchange availability for importers, noting that although progress had been made, more work remained.

Outlining the campaign’s operational plans, Soludo announced that campaign structures across the state would be streamlined before the end of the following week.

He stressed that electoral victories were determined at polling units and ward levels, urging supporters to remain committed to the campaign despite criticism and verbal attacks, particularly on social media.

The governor also urged members of the coalition to remain focused on what he described as the long-term interests of the state and future generations.

Speaking at the inauguration, Senator Anosike disclosed that he had initially approached the meeting with some reservations but said his participation had given him a different perspective on the developmental activities taking place in Anambra State.

He explained that the coalition was primarily intended to ensure that the South-East played a more direct role in national governance.

While calling for unity among political stakeholders, Anosike maintained that candidates seeking elective offices under different party platforms remained free to pursue their individual ambitions but should collectively support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of APGA, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, described the gathering as an unprecedented political coalition united by the objective of securing Tinubu’s re-election.

Ezeokenwa commended Soludo for facilitating the political alignment and reaffirmed APGA’s readiness to mobilise its party structures in support of the campaign.

The inauguration signals a developing cross-party political alignment in Anambra ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Soludo positioning the state as a key participant in the emerging national re-election campaign.
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