- Anambra Governor Says Partnership With Presidency Will Strengthen APGA, as Party Confirms It Will Back Tinubu for President and will not kill APGA, While Fielding Candidates for Other Elections
By Suzy Chukwuechedom | Anambra State
ANAMBRA STATE — Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has defended the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)’s decision to adopt President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, insisting that the alliance with the Federal Government is intended to protect and strengthen the party rather than undermine its political identity.
Soludo’s defence comes amid political questions over his inclusion in the expanded All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Committee for Tinubu’s re-election bid, despite his emergence as governor on the platform of APGA, a separate political party.
Addressing supporters, the governor dismissed concerns that APGA’s support for Tinubu could weaken the party, arguing that cooperation with the Federal Government was consistent with its political tradition.
“Some people want APGA to die. Do you want APGA to die? This is an election. We are protecting APGA, my brother. We are protecting it,” Soludo said, insisting that political cooperation between progressives was necessary to advance the party’s interests in Anambra State.
The governor recalled that APGA had previously supported a presidential candidate outside its platform, citing the party’s backing of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 as an example of its longstanding relationship with the Federal Government.
According to Soludo, the relationship has strengthened over time, culminating in APGA’s formal adoption of Tinubu as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
“For next year’s election, APGA, following that same tradition, has now formally adopted Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its own presidential candidate,” he said.
The governor’s remarks underline APGA’s position that supporting Tinubu at the presidential level does not prevent the party from contesting legislative elections and retaining its political structure in Anambra State.
The development has also drawn attention to the changing political alignments ahead of 2027, particularly in the South-East, where parties and political leaders are positioning themselves for the next general election.
Soludo’s inclusion in the APC campaign committee is significant because of the distinction between his party’s political identity and the platform on which Tinubu is seeking re-election. However, APGA has maintained that its decision to support the President is a strategic alliance rather than a merger with the APC.
Among the prominent politicians named on the expanded APC campaign committee are Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke; former Ogun State governors Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel; and former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Others listed include Presidential Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; former House of Representatives member Patrick Obahiagbon; and former Osun APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji.
Former APC National Legal Advisers Muiz Banire and Babatunde Ogala, alongside Chief Ayiri Emami, Victor Giadom and Magnus Abe, were also named as members of the committee.
The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, announced that the committee would be inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, APGA has congratulated Soludo on his appointment as the Anambra State coordinator of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign council, describing the development as recognition of his leadership and his advocacy for cooperation between the state and the Federal Government.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, said the appointment reflected Soludo’s commitment to progressive ideals and strategic engagement with the Federal Government for the benefit of Anambra State and the wider South-East.
Opara recalled that APGA had adopted Tinubu as its consensus presidential candidate at a National Executive Committee meeting and during the President’s working visit to Anambra State on May 8, 2025.
He said the party’s decision not to field a presidential candidate in 2027 was consistent with its earlier resolution to support Tinubu, adding that the alliance had facilitated cooperation with the Federal Government on infrastructure and economic development.
APGA also made clear that its support for Tinubu would not extend to abandoning its candidates in other electoral contests.
“In Anambra, it is Tinubu for President, APGA for Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly,” the party declared.
The party expressed confidence that Soludo’s political influence and organisational experience would help mobilise support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The unfolding alliance places Soludo and APGA at the centre of a significant political arrangement ahead of the next general election, with the party seeking to maintain its dominance in Anambra while supporting a presidential candidate from another party.
