Governor Soludo: Tinubu's Re-election Bid Enjoys Unprecedented Gubernatorial Support

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has highlighted the backing of 33 state governors for President Bola Tinubu's aspiration for a second term in office, describing it as an extraordinary achievement in Nigeria's democratic journey. Soludo, who serves as the national leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), indicated that this broad political agreement signifies a shared understanding regarding the necessity of continuing the Federal Government's economic reform agenda, alongside pursuing national unity, improved security, and collective prosperity.

He made this declaration on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, where he publicly affirmed APGA's support for President Tinubu's re-election. Governor Soludo stated, “APGA believes in the unity of Nigeria. We believe in the security of Nigeria. We believe in the shared prosperity of Nigeria. And that is part of the reason we are throwing our weight behind the President, who symbolises these three pillars—for the Nigeria of today and the Nigeria of tomorrow.”

Soludo further emphasized the unique nature of this political alignment, noting, “Mr President, to the best of my knowledge, there is no time in Nigeria’s history that there has been a greater consensus—a political and elite consensus. This is the first time we have about 33 governors seated here in support of a sitting President.” He also underscored APGA's progressive credentials, remarking, “If you count progressives and you don’t count APGA, it is not complete. APGA is the first party in Nigeria, registered as progressive in 2002. APC came 12 years later.” He reiterated that such a widespread agreement for a sitting president's re-election is unparalleled in the nation's history.

The Anambra governor advocated for the consolidation of progressive forces nationwide, stressing Nigeria's need for uninterrupted reform programmes to transition from economic stabilization to rapid and widely distributed prosperity. While acknowledging the current economic difficulties facing the nation, Soludo maintained that there is a strong consensus among political and elite groups regarding the indispensability of structural reforms.

He elaborated on the economic trajectory: “In terms of the economic management of this country, there has never been any time in our history when there has been a greater elite consensus about the trajectory of economic reform. Never before! The path that you have chosen—that you have had the courage to take—is a difficult, but necessary and required path. That is why we are joining with you, Mr President.”

Soludo reaffirmed his earlier calls for unity among all progressive elements in Nigeria, viewing the present moment as a crucial opportunity. “I have called before that all progressives in Nigeria must unite. This is an opportunity we must not miss. We must come together for the new Nigeria that we dream about. There is a pathway that is working. In the second term, I believe there will be an acceleration in the transformation—going from stability and reform to shared prosperity. It is the acceleration phase towards what I call pragmatic progressivism,” he asserted.

He concluded by questioning the rationale for altering a successful strategy: “That, we must entrench in Nigeria. Why change a winning team? If it is not broken, why fix it? I say to you, Mr President: we are with you. We are a partner in this journey back to Aso Rock, and we will remain your partner in the governance process. We are with you.” Soludo encouraged Nigerians to maintain their commitment to the reform process, presenting President Tinubu's re-election campaign as a chance to solidify the achievements of his administration's policies.