Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has urged the Igbo to prioritize their collective stake in national politics over personal or party preferences ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. Speaking recently, he emphasized that the outcome of the election is inevitable, and it is in the Southeast’s interest to secure influence in the process.
Soludo said, “I, at a personal level and at the party level, when I came in here, I’ve said at a personal level, yes, there’s no question. And I said President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is my friend, okay? And I believe he’s done well. And he deserves a second term. No apologies about it. That’s my position. Anybody can differ.”
However, he stressed that beyond personal opinions, the focus must remain on the people of the Southeast. “It is about my people. They have to have a stake. They have a stake on the table. He would win with or without us,” Soludo said, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the region has a meaningful voice in national decision-making.
Reflecting on the party’s previous presidential endorsements, Soludo recalled, “In 2011, APGA did not field a presidential candidate. APGA fielded and adopted President Jonathan, then President, as its presidential candidate.” He acknowledged that communicating support for candidates like Tinubu to the Southeast will require careful engagement, especially where there are reservations.
The governor urged for strategic, enlightened politics over protest, saying, “Once they understand that it is in their own enlightened self-interest… we need to get back to the politics of the Azikiwe. Who taught us to build politics of alliances It’s not politics of protest. It’s politics that build bridges in the First Republic, that build bridges in the Second Republic.”
Soludo’s remarks underscore his message that the Southeast must act pragmatically in national politics, ensuring they have a stake in the 2027 elections by strategically engaging with candidates like Tinubu rather than standing aside.
