When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu touched down in Anambra on May 8, 2025, it wasn’t merely a routine state visit—it was a historic convergence of kindred spirits, a reaffirmation of shared values, and, more significantly, a bold endorsement of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision for Anambra State.
As Governor Soludo stood to welcome the President at the grand reception, his words went far beyond ceremonial greetings. “Nnoo Asiwaju! Nnoo Omenife Awka!” he called out warmly, invoking both national respect and local affection. His voice carried the confidence of a man who, despite belonging to a different political party, shares a deep ideological and personal alignment with Nigeria’s current leader. This was not the first time their paths had crossed. Soludo reminded the nation that their relationship stretches back to their time in public service between 2003 and 2007, when Tinubu was Governor of Lagos State and Soludo served as Economic Adviser to the President and later Governor of the Central Bank. Their bond was forged in debates over federalism and economic reforms. Tinubu, Soludo said, “was our professor on federalism at every National Economic Council meeting.”
This isn’t just political nostalgia; it’s a reminder that what binds these two men transcends party lines. They are united by a commitment to progressive ideals—centered around federalism, inclusive development, and economic transformation. While Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) carries the torch of progressivism at the national level, Soludo’s All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), registered in 2002 as Nigeria’s first party to boldly profess “progressivism” in its name, is deeply rooted in the same ideology. That alignment, Soludo emphasized, is not accidental. It is principled. “Before I joined APGA in 2013,” he recounted, “it took me 12 months of review and reflection on the party’s manifesto.” Even after being disqualified from its primaries, he stayed, grounded in ideological conviction.
During the reception, Soludo didn’t hesitate to showcase what progressive governance looks like in action. He painted a compelling picture of an Anambra on the rise—500km of roads constructed, world-class trauma centers, general hospitals, smart schools, new markets, and monumental landmarks unveiled—all in under three years. These weren’t just vanity projects; they were strategic building blocks in Soludo’s ambitious master plan to transform Anambra into the African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley axis. “You ain’t seen nothing yet,” he quipped, drawing inspiration from American optimism.
But it wasn’t only about local achievements. Soludo acknowledged that such transformation could only be sustained through strategic partnerships, especially with a receptive federal government. President Tinubu, he said, has already proven himself a willing partner—through major appointments of Ndi Anambra into national positions and critical infrastructure projects worth hundreds of billions of naira, including the Enugu-Onitsha road, the Onitsha-Owerri road, and the Second Niger Bridge access roads.
The synergy between Anambra and the federal government, Soludo affirmed, was more than functional—it was ideological. “In Anambra, we are firmly and comfortably progressives,” he declared. “Our policies are rooted in centre-progressivism—in the tradition of Awolowo and M.I. Okpara.” From free education and antenatal care to youth empowerment, agricultural transformation through palm and coconut distribution, and tax exemptions for the poor, the Soludo administration is not just building infrastructure; it is building people.
The visit was also a moment for Soludo to gently table pressing needs. He highlighted the severe gully erosion in Anambra, the state’s exclusion from the national gas and rail master plans, and the decades-long neglect of the Onitsha River Port. Yet he expressed faith that only Tinubu—“the man who tamed the Atlantic”—has the vision and capacity to solve these long-standing issues.
In response, President Tinubu made a strikingly personal declaration: “Soludo is my friend. He is a visionary and competent leader. My government will support him to actualise his vision for Anambra.” These words went beyond protocol. They were a resounding endorsement, a seal of confidence from the nation’s highest office. Tinubu, it seems, recognizes in Soludo not a rival from another party, but a brother-in-vision—one committed to lifting Nigeria through innovation, competence, and progressive governance.
In this spirit of unity, Soludo issued a rallying call that all progressive-minded Nigerians must now heed. “It is time for all progressives, federalists and all parties with social-democratic, centrist, and left-of-centre credentials to unite—to advance the purpose of a united and progressive Nigeria,” he urged. He wasn’t merely appealing to political elites; he was speaking to every voter, every trader, teacher, youth, and entrepreneur who believes in responsible governance and shared prosperity.
President Tinubu’s visit has, without a doubt, validated Soludo’s leadership—not just in projects but in ideology and vision. Now, the ball is in the court of the people. Those who cherish progress must organize, mobilize, and re-elect Soludo. It’s not just about continuity; it’s about aligning with a broader national purpose—an agenda anchored in principles, history, and a shared dream of a better Nigeria.
The message is clear: Soludo has been endorsed, not just by a President, but by a progressive movement that knows no party boundaries. And for the people of Anambra, that endorsement is a call to action.
