Tag: Chukwuma Soludo

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Tinubu hails Soludo’s re-election, pledges FG support, lauds INEC

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday congratulated Governor Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election, calling the result “an affirmation of visionary leadership” and promising closer federal–state collaboration with Anambra.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Soludo the winner of Saturday’s off-cycle poll after he swept all 21 Local Government areas.

In a statement he signed and released on Sunday, Tinubu praised voters, security agencies and INEC for a peaceful exercise and urged the governor to be “magnanimous in victory.”

He also commended the new INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan and charged the commission to sustain higher standards in future polls.

The overwhelming victory he recorded in Saturday’s poll has now made him the third governor in the state’s political history to win a second term.

He wrote, “I must also congratulate the people of Anambra State, the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission on the peaceful and successful conduct of the governorship election.

“Professor Soludo’s re-election is a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance.

“Governor Soludo, the Solution, has demonstrated that indeed knowledge is power and that academic principles can be applied in serving the people, undergirding accountability, transparency and prudent management of people and resources.”

Tinubu reminisced on his visit to Anambra State in May, where he inaugurated some projects executed by the Soludo administration.

During the visit, he highlighted the good thinking behind the landmark projects being embarked upon by the governor, whom he called “Mr Solution.”

“That experience is indeed remarkable and will remain indelible in my mind,” he stated.

The President commended Soludo for bringing discipline, grace, brilliance, and a fresh perspective to governance in Anambra, saying, “Under him, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation.”

Assuring Soludo of his support, the President urged the former Central Bank Chief to be magnanimous in victory and to seek the cooperation of his opponents in the just-concluded elections.

He stated, “I assure Governor Soludo of my unwavering support, and I look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government.

“The victory of the opposition All Grand Progressives Alliance in the election again demonstrates the vitality of our political system and the fact that victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied.

Tinubu also thanked the new INEC Chairman, Amupitan, and his team for conducting what, according to him, observers have described as a credible election, “based on the reports I have received thus far.”

“I charge the commission with maintaining the standards and further improving its performance, so we can continue to strengthen and deepen our electoral system,” said Tinubu.

Soludo’s victory extends APGA’s two-decade dominance of Anambra politics and makes him the third governor in the state’s history—after Peter Obi and Willie Obiano—to win a second term.   Channels TV and other outlets reported that the governor won by a landslide, with some tallies showing a haul of more than 420,000 votes against his closest rival of the APC.

Ahead of the vote, analysts had framed the contest as a test of APGA’s entrenched base and of opposition strength in the South-East.

With INEC’s declaration, APGA tightened its grip while Soludo’s tenure—due to run to March 2026—gained new momentum.

Tinubu said he looks forward to “continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government,” adding that Soludo has brought “discipline, grace and a fresh perspective” to governance in the state. (Punch)

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Anambra: Soludo mocks APC, party vows to end reign

The All Progressives Congress has declared that it will put an end to the 19-year reign of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra State.

The National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party would defeat APGA in the November 8, 2025, governorship election.

Yilwatda stated this on Friday at the All Saints Anglican Church Cathedral, Onitsha, during the APC governorship campaign rally for its candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu.

He described the APC as “a messenger of hope,” stating that he was in the state to deliver the message of hope.

“The APC will uproot APGA in the next remaining eight days and 196 hours to the November 8 governorship election. We in the APC cannot afford to allow APGA to continue governing an important state like Anambra as an adopted son when we have our own son in the person of Ukachukwu.”

Speaking at the rally, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the APC couldn’t afford to lose Anambra, adding that he would like the state to become the 25th APC-controlled state.

Ukachukwu expressed optimism that the APC would soon replace APGA’s “deceitful nonperformance” in the state with a high level of development in the nearest future.

“We will soon replace insecurity, multiple taxation, corruption, and nonperformance with adequate security, steady power supply, industrial development, and an agricultural chain,” Ukachukwu stated.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum assured the electorate in the state that their votes would count in the coming election.

The State Chairman of the APC, Chief Basil Ejidike, and the National Coordinator of Ikemba Front, Arinze Awogu, in their separate speeches, expressed optimism that the APC would take over the Anambra Government House at Agu-Awka this time around.

Meanwhile, the state governor and APGA candidate, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, mocked the APC and its candidate for flagging off their campaign seven days before the election.

Soludo, while speaking at the APGA campaign rally held at Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state, said the APC campaign was proof that the party was not serious about the contest.

He urged the people to come out en masse on November 8 and vote out the APC and other opposition parties contesting the race.

Soludo said, “This is shocking and a mockery for a political party like the APC to flag off its campaign seven days before the voting process. Though it’s not a surprise, because its candidate is in the race to gain cheap popularity.

“Please, on the day of the election, step out en masse, collect their money, eat it, and vote them out.

“What I can tell you here today is that I have no competitor in this governorship race. What you have seen in the last three years of my administration in terms of transformation is evidence that we will win the election — and we can only win when we all go out and vote.” (Punch)

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Soludo gives conditions for release of detained native doctors

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has outlined the conditions under which he could consider the release of native doctors currently standing trial in the state.

The detained individuals — Chigozie Nwangu (popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki) from Oba, Eke Hit from Okija, and Onyeze Jesus from Nkpor — were arrested in February on allegations of promoting get-rich-quick practices, preparing charms for suspected criminals, and misleading youths into believing in wealth without hard work.

Responding, Soludo emphasized that the matter was now in court and beyond his unilateral control.

“You are asking for the release of Akwa Okuko, but I want to say that there is a process. There is a process for me to follow, and there is a process for the court to follow too. Where we are now is the process of the court,” Soludo said.

He acknowledged the concerns of the youths but cautioned that the actions of the detained individuals had negatively influenced young people.

“What we should be praying for is a speedy trial. If he is found guilty and convicted, after that, your leaders can meet with me, and we can discuss the possibility of a pardon. But until the judicial process is concluded, my hands are tied,” he added.

The governor further urged the youths to support efforts to rid Oba and other communities of social vices such as drug abuse, kidnapping, and the pursuit of “fast money,” stressing that the state government is committed to restoring values of hard work and integrity. (Vanguard)

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My opponents in November gov poll are merely looking for appointments – Soludo

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has downplayed the chances of rival candidates in the forthcoming November 8 governorship election, saying those presenting themselves as contestants are only seeking appointments and cheap popularity.

Soludo, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made the remarks on Saturday at the Chuba Ikpeazu Sports Complex, Onitsha, during a political rally organised by the Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association, where traders endorsed his second term bid.

Addressing the large gathering of market leaders and traders, the governor reiterated that he has no real opponents in the poll.

“The journey to the November 8 election is still far. We are not going to take it for granted. Although we have no contestants, we are going into the election with all seriousness.

“Every other contestant is looking for an appointment, but instead of them to come and tell us what they are looking for, they are claiming to be contesting for the election.

“Our opponents don’t have a certificate. Gone are the days when charlatans rule Anambra; this is the state of the great Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chinua Achebe, Alex Ekwueme; no unknown character will be allowed to rule Anambra again. They should go and continue their land-grabbing business and stop contesting to be governor.”

Soludo also assured traders of a new tax system where no one would be compelled to pay cash.

Thanking the people for their support in the August 16 by-elections, which APGA candidates won, the governor said the victory reaffirmed the party’s dominance in the state.

“The election in Onitsha became a national election, because the election was about leadership by selection against leadership by competence. Election is not about sympathy, it’s not about ‘oh, vote for me, my husband is no more’… But I am glad you guys voted for competence over sentiment.

“Some people who were ready to write result said it was a mock election for November, but they were defeated at their wards and polling units. APGA is our address. APGA is Anambra and Anambra is APGA,” the governor said.

He further dismissed threats from opposition parties, branding them “nomadic politicians.”

“Last time, it was Labour Party everywhere, they were making noise. I call them the nomadic politicians; every election year, they enter into another party. But for us, we are APGA and we are saying APGA is Anambra and Anambra is APGA.

“Election period is business for some people, after the election, they will write on their complimentary card, ‘former governorship candidate’ and be begging for appointment here and there.

“Between now and November, you will be seeing new projects we are embarking on across the state. Keep the markets clean, keep it safe and most importantly, open your market on Mondays, there is nothing like Monday sit-at-home,” Soludo said. (Vanguard)