Anambra State governor Charles Soludo has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, grounding his endorsement in a 22-year friendship and what he described as the president’s decisive economic reforms.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, Soludo stressed that his loyalty transcends party politics. “President Tinubu is my friend; he has been my friend for 22 years now and counting, so you don’t deny your friend,” he said. “I support him, and I’m impressed by the bold steps he has taken, particularly in the areas of the economy and structural reforms. We’re taking the right steps and we need to stay the course.”
Describing Tinubu as “in high spirits, hale and hearty,” Soludo called for a coalition of political parties that identify as progressive, arguing that unity would strengthen democracy and accelerate economic and social development.
On security in Anambra, the governor outlined what he called a “holistic” strategy, blending “kinetic and non-kinetic” methods. He pointed to the state’s Homeland Security Law, enacted in January, which he said had helped drive out “deadly native doctors” accused of luring young people into crime.
Soludo said the state was tackling insecurity at its roots through youth empowerment programmes. “We have a one-year skills and empowerment programme where we’ve trained about 5,000 youths, and another 8,700 will receive funding this month or next,” he said. “We’re creating several thousand youth millionaires within our first three years.”
He added that his administration’s focus on intelligence gathering, infrastructure, and social investment was aimed at easing hardship and securing lasting peace across the state.
