Back Tinubu In 2027, Don’t Waste Your Votes, Soludo Tells Ndigbo
Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has urged the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, cautioning against what he described as “wasting” votes on alternative candidates.
Soludo made the appeal on Tuesday during his second-term inauguration held at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Onochie Anyachebelu, administered the oath of office and allegiance to the governor at 11:47 a.m. The ceremony was attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, among other dignitaries.
Soludo’s address focused on governance, security, unity, and political strategy for the South-East. He urged political stakeholders to put aside partisan differences and focus on development following the conclusion of elections.
He said the South-East should align with the current administration, noting that while the political future of the Igbo remains important, the region should be strategic in its political decisions.
“President Tinubu is a cerebral, courageous and patriotic Nigerian. We trust him to make a major difference for Nigeria and the South-East,” Soludo said.
He maintained that political contests in Anambra have ended and attention should now be directed towards governance, peace, and development.
Soludo also highlighted key achievements of his administration over the past four years, particularly in the area of security, noting that the state has witnessed significant improvements.
“The debilitating one-sit-at-home is over, and our schools, markets, businesses, and public servants are back to work. Ndi Anambra say that ours is now the safest, or at least one of the safest, states in Nigeria,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to development, the governor declared that “Anambra is now back to winning ways.”
He also emphasised the need for moral and cultural rebirth, warning against practices that encourage criminality and societal decay.
“If we build the skyscrapers and flyovers to be inhabited by the ‘Okeite’ and ‘Ezenwanyi’ generations, our homeland will be desolate and our efforts in vain,” he warned.
Soludo said his administration introduced a “revolution” and moral reorientation to address insecurity, adding that the enforcement of the Homeland Security Law 2025 has intensified the fight against criminal elements.
“With the enforcement of our Homeland Security Law 2025, Oso Soludo is real. Hundreds of these dangerous native doctors are on the run. The poster boy of the new phenomenon—Akwa Okuko tiwara aki—has pleaded guilty and sentenced to a jail term,” he said.
He added that such actions are part of a broader campaign for ethical and cultural rebirth aimed at restoring traditional values of enterprise and integrity, while discouraging drug abuse, cultism, and criminal activities.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, praised Soludo for his leadership and contributions to governance, describing him as a public servant guided by intellect and integrity.
Shettima said the President’s administration has benefited from Soludo’s constructive advice, despite his membership of the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
“The policies of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have benefited from the candour, specialist insights, and patriotic counsel of this distinguished economist—this restless thinker, this public intellectual of uncommon range,” Shettima said.
He added that effective governance requires placing national interest above partisan considerations.
Shettima also stressed the importance of teamwork, urging the deputy governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, to demonstrate loyalty and discipline in supporting the governor.
“And as Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim takes this oath once again beside him, the state is also affirming that leadership is not only about the brilliance of the man at the top but also about the steadiness, loyalty, and discipline of those who help translate vision into order and progress,” he said.
The event was widely attended by political leaders and stakeholders, reflecting broad national interest in the occasion.
Soludo’s swearing-in followed his victory in the November 8, 2025, governorship election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to INEC, Soludo polled a total of 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 99,445 votes. The candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Sir Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes.
Sixteen candidates participated in the election. Out of 2,788,864 registered voters, 598,229 were accredited. A total of 595,298 votes were cast, while 11,244 votes were rejected across the 21 local government areas.
Soludo won in all 21 local government areas, consolidating what observers described as a strong mandate for his second term.
The governor has pledged to consolidate on his achievements and deepen reforms in security, infrastructure, and economic development, while promoting unity and stability across the state.
