Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has backed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, expressing confidence that he will secure a second term and calling on progressive political groups to rally behind his administration.
Soludo made the declaration on Wednesday while addressing Tinubu and members of the All Progressives Alliance Africa at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja.
He said his support for Tinubu was rooted in the need to preserve Nigeria’s unity, strengthen national security and promote prosperity, while urging political groups with progressive ideals to work together towards these objectives.
According to the governor, these principles should guide the country’s political leadership and shape efforts to build a better future for Nigerians.
“We in Africa believe in the unity of Nigeria. We believe in the security of Nigeria. We believe in the shared prosperity of Nigeria,” Soludo said.
He maintained that the principles informed his group’s decision to support Tinubu, whom he credited with representing the values necessary to address Nigeria’s present challenges and aspirations.
The Anambra governor also renewed his appeal for political cooperation, saying progressive forces should put aside their differences and work towards a common national development agenda.
He described the current political moment as an opportunity for such groups to consolidate their efforts towards building the country they envisioned.
“I have called before that all progressives in Nigeria must unite. This is an opportunity that we must not miss.
“We must come together for this new Nigeria that we dream about,” he said.
Soludo expressed optimism about Tinubu’s electoral prospects in 2027, suggesting that the focus should be on when the President would secure another mandate rather than whether he would win.
“In the second term, I want to believe, it’s not if you get second term. We are talking about when you get second term,” he said.
The governor also defended the direction of Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing the decisions taken by the President as difficult but necessary for the country’s development.
He urged Tinubu to remain committed to the policies despite the challenges associated with implementing them.
“The path you are going, the path that you have chosen, that you have had the courage to take, is difficult, but it is necessary,” Soludo said.
He said the next phase of the administration’s programme should focus on accelerating progress through policies that combine practical solutions with progressive ideals.
Soludo described this approach as “pragmatic progressiveness”, which he said should become firmly established in Nigeria’s political and economic direction.
“It is the acceleration path towards what I call pragmatic progressiveness that we must entrench in Nigeria,” he said.
The governor further argued that cooperation among progressive political groups would help advance the country’s transformation, describing the period as an opportunity to strengthen and sustain the administration’s policy direction.
Reaffirming his position, Soludo directly assured the President of his continued backing.
“So I say to you, Mr. President, I’m with you,” he said.
His endorsement comes as the APC begins preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with Tinubu seeking another term in office.
