By Romanus Okoye
Traditional rulers in Anambra State have endorsed Governor Charles Soludo for a second term during their quarterly meeting, citing his outstanding performance as the driving factor behind their decision.
The endorsement came during the quarterly meeting of traditional rulers held at Agu Awka on Thursday, with the monarchs emphasising that their support was based purely on governance achievements rather than political considerations.
Speaking at the gathering, the traditional rulers stressed that their decision was entirely performance-driven rather than politically motivated. “We are not involved in issues of politics as fathers of all, but our endorsement of Soludo is because of his outstanding performance,” the monarchs declared during the session.
The endorsement adds to a growing list of high-profile supporters backing Soludo’s re-election campaign. Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and Chairman of Chrome Group, Sir Emeka Offor, have previously endorsed Governor Soludo for a second term, demonstrating broad-based support across different sectors.
Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Chief TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, who represented Governor Soludo at the meeting, expressed gratitude to the royal fathers for their unprecedented support. He underscored the critical role traditional rulers play in maintaining peace and stability within their domains.
“I urge you to ensure there is peace in your domain, that politicians do not incite the youths to engage in any form of violence,” Nwabunwanne told the assembled monarchs, highlighting the government’s commitment to peaceful electoral processes.
The Commissioner also revealed an innovative incentive programme designed to encourage civic participation, announcing that “there is an award for Igwes whose zone gives the governor the highest number of votes in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.” This initiative aims to transform traditional rulers into advocates for democratic participation whilst maintaining electoral integrity.
Nwabunwanne further cautioned the traditional rulers against external political pressures, urging them to “guard against unnecessary pressure from politicians who may want to entangle them in unnecessary controversy of endorsements.” This advice seeks to protect the integrity of traditional institutions whilst allowing for performance-based political assessment.
The endorsement comes amid growing recognition of Soludo’s achievements across various sectors. Earlier, traditional rulers from different zones in Anambra State had conferred the prestigious title of “Oluatuegwu” on Governor Soludo in recognition of his exceptional leadership and development initiatives. In addition, traditional rulers from Anambra North Senatorial Zone had previously conferred titles on him, whilst thousands of residents from the 99 wards organised rallies endorsing his re-election bid, indicating widespread grassroots support.
In a different forum, APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, expressed supreme confidence in Soludo’s re-election prospects, describing the upcoming election as a “walkover” and asserting that “the people of Anambra have already endorsed Governor Soludo’s candidacy.”
The traditional rulers’ decision reflects their assessment of Soludo’s governance record, which includes significant infrastructure development, security improvements, and economic initiatives across the state. The governor recently signed the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025, establishing the “Operation Udo Ga-Achi” security network, comprising 2,000 crack personnel from various security agencies, demonstrating his commitment to addressing security challenges.
As the gubernatorial election approaches, the traditional rulers’ endorsement provides Soludo with institutional legitimacy, potentially influencing voters who respect traditional authority and value performance-based governance over partisan considerations.
Meanwhile, the quarterly meeting at Agu Awka historically focuses on cultural preservation, community development, and conflict resolution.
