Governor Soludo’s endorsement of President Tinubu for 2027 below APGA sparks outrage throughout the South-East. Why did APGA undertake Tinubu? Learn full story now.
AKWA — A political storm is raging within the South-East following Governor Charles Soludo’s dramatic declaration that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has adopted President Bola Tinubu as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Soludo made this controversial announcement throughout Tinubu’s one-day working go to to Anambra State, the place a number of initiatives had been commissioned. Based on Soludo, APGA’s endorsement is consistent with the celebration’s “tradition of supporting the federal government on the centre.”
However the declaration has ignited livid reactions throughout Igboland, with stakeholders accusing Soludo of appearing unilaterally, betraying celebration beliefs, and dragging APGA into an unpopular alliance for private acquire.
“Soludo has overreached himself. He has no mandate to talk on behalf of APGA in such a vital nationwide matter,” mentioned APGA founder, Chief Chekwas Okorie, who branded the endorsement as perfidious and an affront to the need of Ndigbo.
Soludo, defending his transfer, advised President Tinubu:
“APGA supported Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. We’re a progressive celebration. Our alignment with the centre is strategic and constant. We’re absolutely backing your second time period.”
Tinubu, visibly happy, responded by throwing his weight behind Soludo’s re-election bid within the upcoming November 8 governorship ballot.
“Soludo is my good friend and a superb thoughts. Anambra is rising below him. We’ll work collectively to carry prosperity to this state,” Tinubu declared throughout a city corridor assembly at Alex Ekwueme Sq..
The President commissioned main initiatives in the course of the go to, together with the brand new Authorities Home, the Resolution Enjoyable Metropolis, and the enduring Tower of Gentle.
Whereas Soludo praised Tinubu’s braveness in dealing with {economic} reforms, critics say the endorsement is rooted in desperation and political survival slightly than strategic alignment.
Notably, Minister of State for International Affairs and APGA BOT member, Bianca Ojukwu, additionally supported the transfer, describing Tinubu’s go to as proof of inclusivity.
“As a celebration, we’ve got supported the PDP up to now. There’s nothing new right here. APGA will again Tinubu in 2027,” Bianca mentioned, though she firmly dominated out defecting to APC.
Nevertheless, political observers say this shift may spell doom for APGA’s id, which has lengthy stood as a voice of regional independence.
An APC chieftain, Osita Okechukwu, welcomed the endorsement, calling it a return to the previous Zikist alliance between South-East, South-West, and North.
“It’s time to go away isolationist politics behind. The Igbo nation can not afford to be in opposition without end,” he acknowledged.
However not everybody agrees. Throughout Anambra and the broader Igbo neighborhood, many really feel blindsided.
“This isn’t nearly politics; it’s about betrayal,” mentioned a senior APGA member who spoke anonymously. “Soludo has put private ambition above celebration integrity.”
The backlash comes amid a broader wave of defections to APC from PDP, particularly in Delta and Edo states, strengthening Tinubu’s political equipment forward of 2027.
As Tinubu guarantees federal intervention on erosion in Anambra and main infrastructure initiatives, critics warn that political endorsements should come from correct celebration organs—not private declarations by governors.
“Soludo’s ambition can not override the collective will of APGA members and Igbo pursuits,” Okorie warned.
As 2027 attracts nearer, the query stays: Will APGA survive this inner storm, or has Soludo completely altered its political DNA?
