‘Back Tinubu’ — Soludo asks Igbo not to waste their votes in 2027

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra state, has asked people in the south-east to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Soludo spoke on Tuesday during his second-term inauguration held at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra capital.

Onochie Anyachebelu, chief judge of Anambra state, administered the oath of office and allegiance to Soludo at 11:47 a.m.

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

The ceremony was attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

Addressing the gathering, Soludo said the south-east should not “waste” its votes on alternative candidates in the next presidential election, adding that the region should, instead, back Tinubu.

Soludo noted that the political future of the Igbo remains important but suggested that the timing for producing a president of the south-east extraction is not immediate.

The governor said the region has confidence in Tinubu’s administration, citing what he described as positive changes affecting the south-east.

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

Soludo also urged political opponents in Anambra to set aside their differences and work together for the development of the state.

While noting that political contests in the state have ended, he added that attention should now shift to governance.

In his remarks, Shettima praised Soludo’s leadership and described him as a public servant guided by ideas and integrity.

The vice-president reaffirmed the federal government’s readiness to work with the Anambra state government, adding that governance should prioritise the welfare of citizens above partisan considerations.

Shettima also urged residents to support the administration’s efforts to position Anambra as a key economic and investment destination in Nigeria.