“We must not waste our votes again,” Soludo warns Ndi-Igbo ahead of 2027 elections

Politics

AWKA, Nigeria (NPA) — Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has called on the people of the South-East to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the region to embrace what he described as a politics of progress and prosperity.

Soludo made the remarks after attending the endorsement rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abakaliki, where President Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru received endorsements for second terms in office.

The event, held at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, attracted APC leaders, political stakeholders, and supporters from across the South-East.

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In a statement issued on Wednesday, Soludo said the region must move beyond what he termed the “politics of lamentations” and embrace greater political cooperation aimed at advancing development and economic growth.

“Yesterday, I joined my brother, the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, alongside other progressives in Abakaliki to stand with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” Soludo said.

“The time has come for us to unite. Enough of the politics of lamentations.”

The governor urged the people of the South-East to prioritise strategic political engagement and support leaders committed to national development.

According to him, the region should transition from what he described as an “alliance of protest” to an “alliance for progress and prosperity.”

“Ndi Igbo must unite. We must move from the alliance of protest to the alliance for progress — an alliance for prosperity. We must not waste our votes again,” he said.

Soludo added that progressive-minded leaders across the country were working together to support policies aimed at building a more prosperous Nigeria.

“Progressives are working together for a renewed and prosperous Nigeria,” he stated.

The comments are expected to generate political debate in the South-East, where support for former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, remains significant.

Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election and has continued to position himself for another presidential bid in 2027, has consistently campaigned on the platform of national transformation under the slogan, “A New Nigeria is Possible.”

Political observers note that Soludo and Obi (the former governor of Anambra State) have previously differed on political issues, particularly regarding national electoral politics and the future direction of the South-East.

While Soludo did not mention Obi by name in his remarks, analysts believe his call for the region not to “waste” its votes will be interpreted in many quarters as a direct challenge to the political strategy pursued by opposition forces in the region, particularly Obi’s camp.

As of the time of filing this report, Obi has not publicly responded to Soludo’s latest comments.