Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, made a bold political statement on Monday as he joined forces with his Ebonyi State counterpart, Francis Nwifuru, in a high-profile endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu, urging Ndigbo to abandon the politics of complaint and embrace strategic engagement.
Addressing a charged crowd in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, Soludo described his presence as a “solidarity visit” and emphasized the growing convergence among progressive political forces across the nation.
“I am here on a solidarity march with my own brother, the Rt. Hon. Governor of Ebonyi State, who, by the grace of God, is governor until 2031,” Soludo declared, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Nwifuru.
A Call for Unity Among Progressives
The Anambra governor, who leads the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made it clear that his appearance was not merely ceremonial but a deliberate push for a broader political realignment.
“I am here in solidarity because progressives are working together. It is time for progressives to unite,” he told the enthusiastic gathering.
While acknowledging the nation’s current economic and social hurdles, Soludo expressed confidence in the Federal Government’s capacity to navigate these challenges, signaling his willingness to work across party lines for national development.
A Direct Message to Ndigbo
In what appeared to be a calculated appeal to his Igbo kinsmen, Soludo urged a fundamental shift in political approach moving away from what he described as counterproductive grievance politics.
“I say to ụmụnne m ndị Igbo, enough of the politics of lamentations. We must now move from the alliance of protest to the alliance for progress an alliance and partnership for prosperity for Ndigbo,” he declared passionately.
“We must now unite as Ndigbo; we must not waste our votes again,” he added, hinting at the need for more strategic political positioning ahead of future elections.
What This Means
Soludo’s endorsement of Tinubu a leader from the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite belonging to a different political party, signals a potentially significant realignment in the South-East political landscape.
His call for Ndigbo to shift from protest to partnership could reshape political discourse in the region.
The governor also disclosed that APGA would soon take a formal position aimed at strengthening what he described as a “broader progressive coalition” in the country.
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the rally concluded with renewed commitments to support President Tinubu’s vision for national development and promote cross-party political cooperation.
