Soludo Urges South-East Leaders to End Opposition Politics, Back FG

•APGA, APC, PDP leaders unite behind coalition, pledge grassroots mobilisation

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has urged political leaders in the South-East to move away from opposition politics and strengthen the region’s relationship with the Federal Government.

Soludo made the call on Sunday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, attended by political leaders and grassroots mobilisers from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party.

He described the coalition supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election as a new phase in the region’s political engagement, urging stakeholders to build wider support for the president.

According to the governor, the South-East’s opposition stance, which gained prominence after the 2015 general elections, should give way to greater participation in governance at the centre.

He said political leaders must intensify grassroots mobilisation to change public perception of the Federal Government and secure stronger support for its policies.

Soludo argued that Tinubu’s 5,000 votes in Anambra during the 2023 presidential election had helped attract significant projects to the state and the wider region.

“If 5,000 votes could attract these projects to our state and the region, imagine what would happen if we mobilised the electorate to give him massive support,” he said.

The governor also acknowledged the administration’s efforts to improve foreign exchange availability and address fiscal challenges. However, he said more work remained to stabilise the economy.

He announced plans to restructure the coalition’s campaign and mobilisation arrangements, adding that the process would begin during the week.

Soludo urged campaign teams to adopt door-to-door mobilisation, citing political strategies that proved effective during the 1983 elections.

He also cautioned supporters against allowing criticism and verbal attacks on social media to distract them from their campaign message.

The governor said his administration remained focused on long-term development, stressing that its decisions were intended to secure a prosperous future for coming generations.

Earlier, APGA National Chairman, Sly Ezeokenwa, described the meeting as a landmark in Anambra’s political history.

He said the coalition represented an unprecedented alliance among parties with different political backgrounds but a common interest in Tinubu’s re-election.

Ezeokenwa commended Soludo for providing leadership and facilitating the alliance. He also pledged APGA’s full support for the governor’s political direction.

“Our party structure is ready to execute the instructions and deliver results at the polls,” he said.

Also, the APC Chairman in Anambra, Senator Emma Anosike, welcomed the political realignment and commended the Soludo administration’s development efforts.

Anosike said the alliance would position Anambra more firmly within the Federal Government’s political and development framework.

He urged members of the participating parties to set aside their differences and work together to achieve the coalition’s objectives.