BREAKING NEWS: President Tinubu Set to Visit Anambra on May 8 to Commission Soludo’s Landmark Projects
In what political observers describe as a landmark moment for governance and inter-party collaboration in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to visit Anambra State on Thursday, May 8, 2025, to officially commission a series of completed infrastructure and development projects initiated by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s administration.
The announcement was made by Governor Soludo himself while addressing Labour Unions during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital. Speaking before a sea of cheering workers, the governor confirmed:
“This is a proof that my administration is forging a partnership that works. I urge you all to give him a resounding welcome.”
The president’s forthcoming visit, his first to Anambra since assuming office in May 2023, is already generating ripples across the political spectrum, being seen as both a show of goodwill and a rare display of bipartisan cooperation between the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led Anambra State government.
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The Anambra section Second Niger bridge, which will be flagged up today will connect to the Enugu/Onitsha express road via Ogbunike-Ikenga-Ogidi-Eke Nkpor to Obosi interchange, affecting multiple buildings.
Though an official list of the exact projects to be commissioned has not yet been released by the Anambra State Government House, inside sources say the president will flag off and inspect several landmark achievements of the Soludo administration, including:
- The Solution Fun City in Awka, a mega recreational and tourism hub
- The completed dualized Awka-Ekwulobia Road, built to international standards
- Several newly constructed General Hospitals across rural communities
- Smart School Projects under the “Everything Technology” agenda
- The Soludo Estate Housing Project, aimed at affordable homes for civil servants
- The Anambra State Digital Infrastructure Hub in collaboration with global tech firms
These projects, completed within the first three years of Soludo’s administration, mark a shift in infrastructural development and signal what many see as a “Soludo blueprint for modern governance.”
A close aide to the governor who pleaded anonymity told this reporter, “What Soludo is doing is to show that governance is about the people, not about parties. The president is coming because he sees the work being done and respects it.”
President Tinubu’s decision to visit Anambra, a historically opposition state, is being interpreted through multiple lenses. Political analysts argue that the visit may be more than just a ceremonial commissioning. With the 2027 elections looming on the horizon, such a trip could be strategic in bolstering Tinubu’s acceptance in the Southeast geopolitical zone—a region where his party has traditionally struggled to gain traction.
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Dr. Amaka Ofoegbu, a political scientist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, said:
“This visit sends a message. Tinubu is courting the Southeast, not just for 2027 but to rewrite a national narrative. And who better to do that with than Soludo, an academic and reformer respected across partisan lines.”
However, not everyone is convinced of the president’s intentions. Online commentators, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), expressed mixed reactions:
- @ObioraWrites: “President Tinubu is coming to commission Soludo’s projects. Interesting. Hope he’s not coming to campaign early.”
- @AdaNnewi: “This is commendable. Nigeria will win when leaders stop seeing everything through the lens of party. Soludo and Tinubu are setting an example.”
- @AnambraPatriot: “The same president who’s been silent on our insecurity crisis is now coming for photo-ops?”
Despite the differing perspectives, the visit is undeniably a significant one for the state and the region.
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, a former Central Bank Governor and professor of economics, assumed office in March 2022 under a wave of popular optimism. Running on the APGA platform, Soludo pledged a transformational agenda centered on “The Anambra Solution.”
Three years into his administration, he has received praise for prioritizing education, healthcare, infrastructure, and digital innovation. His initiatives—such as providing over 3,000 laptops to teachers, revamping Anambra’s school curriculum, establishing 24/7 electricity pilots, and investing in agro-based industrial parks—have earned him accolades even from critics.
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𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐨’𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
The governor’s ability to complete projects on time and maintain fiscal discipline has made Anambra one of the few states in Nigeria currently operating a budget surplus.
His administration’s emphasis on youth empowerment, women inclusion in governance, and security reforms has also been noted by international development partners.
While both men hail from different ideological and political backgrounds, the Tinubu-Soludo relationship appears to be one built on mutual respect and pragmatism.
President Tinubu, who is navigating complex national challenges—including inflation, subsidy reform backlash, and regional security unrest—may see Soludo as a technocratic partner who delivers results and avoids political distractions.
A source in the Presidency told The Anambra Gazette that:
“The President respects Soludo’s intellect. He may not be in APC, but he’s a man who does the work. We need more of that across Nigeria.”
This visit could also signal the federal government’s willingness to support states regardless of political affiliation—a welcome departure from previous administrations.
As preparations for the high-profile visit begin, expectations among the residents of Anambra are high. Many hope the visit will bring federal attention to lingering issues such as:
- The second Niger Bridge access roads, which remain underdeveloped
- Insecurity challenges in Orumba, Ihiala, and Uzo-Uwani borders
- The stalled Onitsha Inland Port rehabilitation
- Poor federal road infrastructure such as the Amansea-Umunya axis
- Creation of special economic zones in Nnewi and Awka
Okeke Nduka, a youth leader in Onitsha, expressed optimism:
“We want the President to see firsthand that Anambra deserves more federal presence. Our industries, our innovation, and our people have been sidelined for too long.”
Anambra State government officials confirmed that security measures are being intensified across the state ahead of the presidential visit. The Anambra State Police Command has already activated its joint task force, while local vigilante groups are being briefed to cooperate fully with national security operatives.
A detailed itinerary for the president’s visit is expected to be released in the coming days, but sources suggest he will touch down at the Anambra International Cargo Airport, Umueri, from where he will proceed to Awka and other project sites.
Traditional institutions and civil society groups in Anambra have largely welcomed the news of the visit. The Chairman of the Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Igwe Alfred Achebe, described the planned visit as:
“A step in the right direction for unity and development. We welcome Mr. President and pray this becomes the beginning of deeper federal engagement with the Southeast.”
The Anambra Civil Society Forum (ACSF) urged President Tinubu to listen to the “voice of the ordinary people” during his visit, particularly on job creation, SME support, and industrialization.
Whether President Tinubu’s May 8 visit to Anambra State is primarily about politics, performance recognition, or pre-2027 positioning, it undeniably represents a historic moment.
For Governor Soludo, it is an opportunity to showcase results and national leadership beyond party lines.
For President Tinubu, it is a chance to reset narratives, build bridges in the Southeast, and possibly lay the groundwork for the next chapter of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
For the people of Anambra, it is a hopeful signal that their voices—and votes—still matter.
All eyes are now set on May 8. Will it be a day of unity or division? Celebration or caution? Only time will tell—but for now, expectations soar.
Developing story… Stay tuned for full coverage on May 8.
