ANAMBRA State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday reiterated his open support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, affirming that their friendship, which spans over two decades, is stronger than partisan divides.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Soludo, wearing a white cap with Tinubu’s insignia and the words “Progressives are working together” declared that all political parties committed to progressive ideals should form a broad coalition to strengthen democracy and accelerate national development.
“For me, saying ‘progressives working together’ is a call to those who share these ideals.
Regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I have no apologies for my support. He has been my friend for 22 years and counting, you don’t deny your friend,” Soludo stated.
He commended President Tinubu for what he described as bold economic and structural reforms, noting that Nigeria is “on the right path” and must “stay the course” to reap the benefits of current policy changes.
Governor Soludo also highlighted the relative peace in Anambra State, attributing it to a mix of decisive enforcement and community engagement. He revealed that his administration passed the Homeland Security Law in January to fundamentally tackle insecurity.
Part of the crackdown, he explained, has been targeted at so-called “deadly native doctors”—traditional practitioners accused of misleading youths into criminal activities with false promises of spiritual protection.
“The deadly native doctors, who give false hope and lure young people into crime, are now fleeing the state,” Soludo said.
Beyond policing, Soludo said his government is prioritizing non-kinetic strategies, including youth empowerment and job creation.
He disclosed that about 5,000 young people have completed a one-year skills training programme, while another 8,700 are set to receive substantial funding in the coming months.
“We are creating thousands of youth millionaires within the first three years,” Soludo said, adding that these efforts are accompanied by infrastructure improvements, rehabilitation of schools and health facilities, and robust intelligence-led security operations.
When asked why he was boldly endorsing President Tinubu despite being the leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Soludo pointed to a shared political philosophy:
“The caps were produced when President Tinubu visited Anambra State, and you saw the billboards proclaiming that progressives are working together. All political parties that profess progressivism should unite in a massive coalition to strengthen our democracy and advance the country’s economic and social development.”
Governor Soludo described his meeting with the President as “very pleasant,” noting that Tinubu was in high spirits and good health.