Soludo Declares Support for Tinubu, Citing Friendship and Confidence in Economic and Structural Reforms
Abuja, Nigeria — In a political statement that could shape the dynamics of inter-party relations ahead of the 2027 general elections, Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has openly declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking to journalists after a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Governor Soludo described Tinubu as “a personal friend” and commended him for taking “bold steps in the economy and structural reforms.”
The pronouncement marks one of Soludo’s clearest public endorsements of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government since he assumed office in March 2022 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). It also reflects a political pattern in Anambra’s gubernatorial history, where successive leaders of the state have maintained cooperative relationships with the ruling party at the federal level, regardless of partisan affiliation.
Governor Soludo’s visit to President Tinubu was officially described as a “working courtesy call,” aimed at discussing matters relating to federal-state collaboration, infrastructural development in the South-East, and national economic policies. While such visits are not unusual for governors, the tone of Soludo’s post-meeting remarks indicated that this was more than a routine engagement.
“President Tinubu is my personal friend. We have known each other for many years, and I can say without hesitation that I am impressed by the bold steps he has taken, particularly in the areas of the economy and structural reforms,” Soludo told the press corps gathered at the State House briefing room. “Nigeria is at a critical juncture, and leadership at this time demands courage. I believe the President is demonstrating that courage.”
Soludo’s words echoed a deliberate emphasis on personal rapport, a factor that has historically influenced Nigerian elite political alignments, often blurring strict party boundaries.
According to Soludo, his endorsement was rooted in substantive policy observations rather than mere political courtesy. The governor singled out Tinubu’s macroeconomic measures, exchange rate unification efforts, and subsidy reforms as evidence of a willingness to confront long-standing structural distortions in the Nigerian economy.
“The removal of the petrol subsidy was inevitable. Successive governments knew it, but few had the political will to implement it decisively,” Soludo said. “The unification of the foreign exchange market, while painful in the short term, is necessary to restore credibility and attract investment. These are bold moves that should be acknowledged, irrespective of political divides.”
Soludo, a former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, is regarded as one of the country’s most technically grounded state executives on matters of macroeconomic policy. His tenure at the CBN (2004–2009) saw major banking sector consolidation, an experience he often references when speaking about reform politics. In his remarks, he argued that structural reforms inevitably come with transitional shocks, but that their long-term benefits outweigh the costs if properly managed.
Observers have been quick to place Soludo’s remarks within the context of a well-documented APGA tradition: aligning with the federal government of the day. Since APGA first took control of Anambra State in 2006 under Governor Peter Obi, the party has maintained a cooperative rather than confrontational stance toward Abuja, even when the presidency was held by opposing parties.
- In 2011, then-Governor Peter Obi formally adopted President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as his candidate in the presidential election.
- In 2019, Governor Willie Obiano publicly aligned with President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC, a move that drew mixed reactions from APGA’s base but ensured federal cooperation on infrastructure projects.
Soludo’s latest statement, therefore, could be interpreted as part of this historical continuum. Yet, the political atmosphere ahead of 2027 is far more fluid than in previous cycles, and his phrasing — “I’m supporting Tinubu” — has raised speculation about whether APGA may go beyond mere cooperation to an outright endorsement of APC’s re-election bid.
The governor’s comments have elicited a spectrum of reactions. Within APC circles, Soludo’s praise was welcomed as an important gesture from one of the South-East’s most influential political figures. An APC national officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, described it as “a strategic signal that the walls between APC and APGA may be thinner than many assume.”
From the opposition, however, reactions were more cautious. Some PDP and Labour Party figures in the South-East warned that open endorsement of Tinubu could alienate APGA’s grassroots base, which has often positioned itself as a distinct regional voice.
A Labour Party chieftain in Anambra told reporters: “Soludo can praise policy if he wants, but an outright statement of support for Tinubu goes beyond policy endorsement. It ventures into electoral positioning.”
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While Soludo anchored his support on policy, he also leaned heavily on his personal relationship with Tinubu, which predates both men’s current offices. In Nigeria’s political culture, personal networks often play as much of a role in decision-making as party ideology — sometimes even more so.
This friendship narrative may shield Soludo from some partisan criticism, allowing him to frame his support as a gesture of personal goodwill rather than a formal partisan alliance. However, it could also fuel speculation about whether he is positioning himself or his party for a deeper collaboration with APC at the national level.
Soludo’s endorsement, while rooted in present-day governance issues, inevitably has implications for the future. The next presidential election in 2027 will likely see Tinubu seeking a second term, and the APC will be eager to expand its reach in the South-East, where it has historically struggled.
No Anambra governor in the Fourth Republic has successfully swayed the state’s voting pattern in presidential elections — the electorate has consistently charted its own course, often favoring opposition candidates. Whether Soludo’s personal influence, combined with federal cooperation benefits, can shift that historical trend remains to be seen.
Political analysts note that aligning with the federal government can yield tangible infrastructural and fiscal advantages for a state. However, translating those advantages into electoral loyalty is a far more complex challenge, particularly in a politically sophisticated state like Anambra.
During the visit, Soludo reportedly discussed Anambra’s infrastructure needs, security challenges, and federal investment in the South-East. Sources close to the meeting said the governor pressed for accelerated work on federal roads in Anambra, expanded power supply projects, and enhanced security collaboration to address kidnapping and violent crime in the region.
Soludo emphasized that beyond politics, his duty is to “deliver results” for Anambra people, and that constructive engagement with the federal government is essential to achieving that.
For APGA, Soludo’s statement underscores an ongoing balancing act: retaining its identity as a party rooted in South-East regional aspirations while navigating the realities of federal politics. Open endorsement of a sitting president from another party has historically sparked internal debates within APGA, with some members fearing it dilutes the party’s ideological distinctiveness.
Soludo’s political skill will likely be tested in how he frames his relationship with Tinubu to both APGA loyalists and the broader electorate. He has so far presented it as a matter of pragmatic governance and mutual respect, but the national political calendar will soon test whether that framing holds.
Street-level reactions in Anambra are mixed. Some residents see Soludo’s praise for Tinubu as a strategic move to attract federal attention and resources to the state. Others view it with skepticism, fearing it could be the first step toward political assimilation into APC’s orbit.
“I don’t care if he supports Tinubu, as long as the roads are fixed and security improves,” said Chika Okoye, a trader in Onitsha Main Market. “But if it is only politics and no development, then it is a waste.”
Conversely, a student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University expressed frustration: “APGA was supposed to be an alternative voice. If our governor is already supporting APC, what is the point of having APGA?”
Soludo’s endorsement of Tinubu may well be a calculated blend of personal loyalty, policy appreciation, and political positioning. Whether it evolves into a formal APGA-APC alliance or remains a gesture of bipartisan cooperation will depend on developments in both governance and electoral politics over the next two years.
For now, the governor appears determined to maintain a dual narrative: an Anambra-first developmental agenda that nonetheless aligns with the central government’s economic direction.
As Nigeria approaches a period of intensified political maneuvering ahead of 2027, the Soludo–Tinubu relationship will be closely watched — not just for what it means in Abuja, but for what it signals in the ever-shifting chessboard of South-East politics.