Soludo Urges South-East to Back Tinubu in 2027, Says Region Should Not “Waste Votes”

The governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has called on people of the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the region should not “waste” its votes on alternative candidates.

Soludo made the remark on Tuesday during his second-term inauguration held at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the capital of Anambra State. The event attracted top political figures and dignitaries from across Nigeria.

Akahi News gathered that the ceremony marked the formal commencement of Soludo’s new term in office after securing victory in the state’s governorship election.

Soludo’s Second-Term Inauguration Draws National Attention

The oath of office and allegiance was administered to Soludo by Onochie Anyachebelu, the Chief Judge of Anambra State, at exactly 11:47 a.m.

Moments later, at 11:52 a.m., Anyachebelu also administered the oath of office and allegiance to Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the deputy governor of the state.

Akahi News learnt that the inauguration ceremony attracted several notable personalities, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, reflecting the national significance of the event.

The gathering provided a moment not only to celebrate political continuity in Anambra but also to reflect on broader national political dynamics ahead of the next general election cycle.

Soludo Calls for Strategic Political Support for Tinubu

Addressing the audience, Soludo urged the South-East to adopt what he described as a pragmatic political strategy by supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, the region should avoid dividing its political influence by backing alternative candidates.

“President Tinubu is a cerebral, courageous and patriotic Nigerian. We trust him to make a major difference for Nigeria and the South-East,” Soludo said.

The governor acknowledged the long-standing aspiration of the Igbo people to produce a Nigerian president from the region but suggested that the timing might not be immediate.

His remarks appear to signal a call for political calculation rather than emotional politics.

But this raises deeper questions within Nigeria’s democratic conversation.

Is political support merely about immediate regional gains, or about building long-term national alliances? Can a region strengthen its future by aligning strategically today? Or does such alignment risk postponing legitimate aspirations?

These are questions that continue to shape the debate about power, representation, and national unity in Nigeria.

Igbo Presidency Debate and the Question of Timing

Soludo’s statement touches on a long-running discussion in Nigerian politics: when will the South-East produce a president?

Many political analysts argue that the region’s sense of marginalisation has fuelled strong calls for an Igbo presidency. Others believe that building national political coalitions may be the pathway to eventually achieving that goal.

By suggesting that the moment may not yet be immediate, Soludo appears to advocate a gradual approach rooted in strategic partnerships.

Akahi News learnt that his position may generate mixed reactions across the South-East political landscape, where opinions remain sharply divided on whether the region should prioritise its own presidential candidate or support existing national power structures.

In a country as politically complex as Nigeria, the question remains profound: does political power come through insistence or through timing?

Call for Unity and Development in Anambra

Beyond national politics, Soludo also turned attention to the internal development of Anambra State.

He urged political opponents and stakeholders in the state to put aside differences following the election and focus on governance.

According to the governor, the period of political contest has ended and the time for collaborative development has begun.

This appeal reflects a broader challenge in Nigerian democracy, where intense electoral competition often leaves deep political divisions.

Can a state truly move forward when political battles linger long after elections? Or does development require a conscious decision to rise above partisan rivalries?

Soludo’s message appeared to suggest the latter.

Shettima Praises Soludo’s Leadership

In his remarks at the ceremony, Vice-President Kashim Shettima praised Soludo’s leadership style, describing him as a public servant driven by ideas and integrity.

Shettima reaffirmed the federal government’s willingness to work closely with the Anambra State government in pursuit of development goals.

He emphasised that governance should place the welfare of citizens above partisan political considerations.

The vice-president also encouraged residents and stakeholders to support ongoing efforts aimed at positioning Anambra as a major economic and investment hub in Nigeria.

Akahi News gathered that the federal government sees the state as a potential centre of commercial growth within the South-East, given its entrepreneurial culture and expanding infrastructure.

The Broader Political Implications

Soludo’s endorsement of Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election is likely to spark conversations across Nigeria’s political circles.

Some observers may view it as a strategic alignment with the federal government, while others may interpret it as a pragmatic attempt to secure greater influence for the South-East within national politics.

But beneath these political calculations lies a deeper philosophical question: what is the true path to national integration in a country as diverse as Nigeria?

Is unity built through competition among regions, or through calculated collaboration?

And ultimately, what does political loyalty mean in a democracy where citizens and leaders must constantly balance regional identity with national responsibility?

These questions will likely remain central as Nigeria gradually approaches the 2027 general election.

For now, Soludo’s message has added a new layer to the unfolding national conversation about power, strategy, and the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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