APGA’s Enduring Tradition of Aligning with the Ruling Party: Soludo’s Signals and the Politics of Anambra’s Federal Relations
By GNC. Chukwuemeka
Introduction
The political landscape of Anambra State has long been shaped by a unique tradition within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) — the strategic alignment with the ruling party at the federal level. This pattern, sustained over successive administrations, has often taken the form of public endorsements or political cooperation with the sitting president, regardless of ideological differences or partisan rhetoric. The most recent manifestation of this tradition appears to be unfolding under the leadership of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, whose public remarks about “progressives working together” have been interpreted by observers as a subtle — if not outright — endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This article examines the historical trajectory of APGA’s approach to federal politics, situating Soludo’s current position within the continuum of decisions made by his predecessors. It also interrogates the political motivations behind this tradition, explores the possibility of Soludo or APGA moving closer to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and assesses whether this stance could alter the established voting patterns of Anambra’s electorate.
APGA’s Founding Philosophy and Federal Pragmatism
Founded in 2002 by a coalition of Igbo political leaders, APGA emerged as a platform for advancing the political and economic interests of the South-East region, particularly the Igbo-speaking states. The party’s ideological posture has often been described as “regionalist,” with a strong emphasis on defending the rights of the South-East within Nigeria’s federal structure. However, the reality of Nigeria’s power dynamics has compelled APGA to balance its regional advocacy with pragmatic engagement with the federal government.
This pragmatism has often meant that, despite its independent platform, APGA leaders have opted to align with the ruling party at the centre — not as a formal merger, but as a strategy to ensure federal support for infrastructural development, security cooperation, and political protection. This balancing act has repeatedly influenced APGA’s stance during presidential elections and in the post-election governance environment.
Peter Obi and the Adoption of Goodluck Jonathan
The first significant demonstration of APGA’s federal alignment came in the lead-up to the 2011 general elections. Then-Governor Peter Obi, who had consolidated APGA’s dominance in Anambra politics, made the calculated decision to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for re-election.
The endorsement was officially framed as a recognition of Jonathan’s policies and his commitment to addressing the developmental concerns of the South-East. However, political analysts noted that Obi’s decision was also influenced by the need to maintain cordial relations with the federal government, which controlled substantial budgetary allocations and had the capacity to facilitate or frustrate state-level projects.
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Obi’s endorsement did not result in the formal collapse of APGA into the PDP; rather, it was an alliance of convenience, ensuring that Anambra remained in the federal government’s good graces. Jonathan went on to secure a landslide victory in Anambra during the 2011 elections, reinforcing the perception that gubernatorial endorsements could sway electoral outcomes in the state.
Willie Obiano’s Alignment with Muhammadu Buhari
The pattern was repeated under Governor Willie Obiano, albeit in a more complex political environment. In 2015, Buhari’s APC secured the presidency in a historic defeat of the PDP. Initially, Obiano maintained a cautious distance from the new administration, as APC’s electoral base and ideological messaging were not naturally aligned with APGA’s identity or the South-East’s voting patterns.
However, as Buhari’s presidency unfolded, Obiano adopted a cooperative posture toward the federal government. This was particularly evident in his public appearances with the president, joint commissioning of projects, and expressions of support for federal initiatives in Anambra. While Obiano did not make a formal declaration of electoral support for Buhari during the 2019 elections, his administration’s tone and federal engagement were widely interpreted as tacit endorsement.
This approach, consistent with APGA’s tradition, underscored the party’s pragmatic streak — prioritizing state-federal cooperation over partisan rivalry, especially in the interest of attracting development projects and security interventions to the state.
Governor Soludo’s Remarks and the Tinubu Factor
In 2025, Governor Chukwuma Soludo appeared to continue this tradition, though in a political climate more fragmented than in previous cycles. His statement that “progressives will work together” has been widely interpreted as signaling an intention to cooperate closely with President Tinubu’s administration. While Soludo has not formally declared APGA’s adoption of Tinubu as its preferred presidential candidate for 2027, the rhetoric strongly suggests an openness to collaboration — and perhaps eventual endorsement.
Political analysts have speculated that Soludo’s federal posture is driven by multiple factors. These include the need to secure federal support for ambitious infrastructure projects, access to national resources for economic reforms, and the political necessity of maintaining Anambra’s relevance in Abuja’s corridors of power. By positioning himself as a willing partner to the Tinubu administration, Soludo may also be seeking to expand his own political influence beyond Anambra.
Is Soludo Heading to the APC After November 8?
One of the most pressing questions in Anambra’s political circles is whether Soludo’s federal overtures are merely strategic, or whether they signal an eventual defection to the APC. November 8, a date tied to key political events in the state’s calendar, has become a speculative marker for observers predicting possible shifts in party alignment.
There are three plausible scenarios:
- Strategic Continuity within APGA: Soludo could maintain his position within APGA while deepening cooperation with the APC-led federal government. This would mirror the approach of Peter Obi and Willie Obiano, both of whom maintained APGA’s formal independence while endorsing or cooperating with the ruling party.
- Eventual Defection to the APC: Soludo could calculate that joining the APC offers a more direct route to national political relevance, especially if he harbors ambitions beyond his tenure as governor. Such a move would not be unprecedented; Nigerian politics has seen multiple governors switch parties to align with the centre.
- Hybrid Political Realignment: Soludo could pursue a coalition-building strategy that blurs traditional party boundaries, leveraging APGA’s regional base while forging structured alliances with APC power brokers.
Can Any Anambra Governor Influence the State’s Presidential Voting Pattern?
Historically, Anambra’s electorate has demonstrated a strong sense of political independence in presidential elections, often voting in ways that do not necessarily align with the governor’s endorsements. This trend reflects the state’s vibrant political consciousness, high voter literacy, and complex interplay of ethnic, regional, and economic considerations.
In 2011, Jonathan’s sweeping victory in Anambra was consistent with regional sentiment in the South-East, rather than being solely the result of Peter Obi’s endorsement. Similarly, in 2015 and 2019, despite Obiano’s cooperative relationship with Buhari, Anambra voters overwhelmingly supported opposition presidential candidates.
For Soludo to “change the narrative” and deliver significant votes to Tinubu in 2027, he would need to overcome entrenched political attitudes, deep-rooted partisan loyalties, and the prevailing perception of APC as politically distant from South-East priorities. Achieving this would require an unprecedented level of political mobilization, strategic messaging, and tangible federal benefits to the state.
Political Calculations Behind APGA’s Tradition
The tradition of aligning with the ruling party is not merely symbolic; it is rooted in the structural realities of Nigeria’s federal system. States depend heavily on federal allocations for their budgets, and governors often require federal cooperation to implement large-scale projects, particularly in infrastructure, security, and social services.
For APGA, a party with no significant federal legislative bloc and limited presence outside Anambra, aligning with the centre ensures a measure of political protection. This approach reduces the risk of federal hostility, secures access to patronage networks, and helps maintain the party’s relevance in a political system dominated by national parties.
Reactions from Political Stakeholders
Reactions to Soludo’s perceived endorsement of Tinubu have been mixed. APC supporters in the South-East have welcomed the remarks as a sign of growing acceptance of the party in a region where it has struggled to gain electoral traction. Conversely, opposition figures and APGA purists have expressed concern that such alignment dilutes the party’s identity and compromises its independence.
Civil society groups and political analysts have cautioned that while federal cooperation is important, excessive alignment with the centre risks alienating the local electorate, particularly if it is perceived as transactional rather than developmental.
Implications for 2027
If Soludo proceeds to formally adopt Tinubu or the APC presidential candidate in 2027, it will test the resilience of APGA’s identity and the political independence of Anambra’s electorate. It could also reshape the broader political conversation in the South-East about engagement with the federal government.
Should Soludo succeed in delivering a meaningful share of the vote to the APC, it would mark a historic shift in the region’s political alignment and could position him as a key national power broker. Conversely, if the voting pattern remains unchanged, it would reinforce the perception that gubernatorial endorsements have limited influence in Anambra’s presidential politics.
Conclusion
Governor Soludo’s current posture reflects a well-established APGA tradition of pragmatic engagement with the ruling party at the federal level. Whether this is a prelude to a full political realignment or simply the continuation of a strategic relationship remains to be seen. What is clear is that the dynamics between Anambra, APGA, and the federal government are once again at the forefront of Nigeria’s political discourse — and the decisions made in the coming months will have lasting implications for both state and national politics.