On September 17, 2026, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, stated that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) served as a "visa" to stardom for many Igbo politicians. He made this remark at the Ekwusigo Local Government Area headquarters in Ozubulu, during the commissioning of projects executed by the outgoing council chairman, Hon. Chinezie Obi. Soludo emphasized that APGA remains a significant political platform in the South-East, particularly in Anambra.
Soludo expressed concern that some politicians who gained prominence through APGA had defected to other parties and were now trying to portray the party as irrelevant. He argued that the Igbo people tend to concentrate their political strength in one direction and later complain about inadequate representation at the federal level. According to Soludo, the South-East needs a strategic approach to national politics to secure its rightful share of national opportunities and resources.
The governor disclosed that APGA's current position is to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election. He stated that the party would retain its dominance in Anambra's national and state legislative contests. Soludo described APGA's mantra as "progressives working together" and emphasized that the party would support APC at the presidential level while seeking to win National Assembly and state assembly seats in Anambra.
Soludo's position has sparked debate over how the South-East should balance regional political identity with participation in national power structures. He recalled APGA's recent performance in Anambra politics, where the party secured all local government chairmanship and councillorship positions in the recently concluded council elections. The governor praised the outgoing Ekwusigo council chairman, Chinezie Obi, for prudent management of council resources and execution of development projects.
Some of the projects commissioned by Soludo included road works, CCTV installations, and skill-acquisition centers targeted at young people and students. He commended Obi for demonstrating that local governments could execute meaningful capital projects when resources were properly managed. Soludo pledged to reward Obi for his performance and expressed confidence that the incoming council mayor, Hon. Ifeanyi Onuchukwu, would build on Obi's achievements.
In his remarks, Chinezie Obi commended Soludo's leadership and said his administration benefited from the governor's development initiatives. The incoming mayor, Onuchukwu, disclosed that he had developed an action plan for his administration and would commence implementation immediately after his inauguration. The event also featured the presentation of Community Service Awards to Obi and Onuchukwu by the Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC) Youth Wing.
Soludo's comments highlight the ongoing debate about APGA's relevance in Anambra politics. Key points from his statement include: APGA provided a platform for many Igbo politicians to gain prominence; the party remains a significant political force in the South-East; and APGA will support President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election while maintaining its dominance in Anambra's legislative contests.
Key points
- Soludo describes APGA as a "visa" to stardom for Igbo politicians.
- APGA will support President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
- Soludo praises outgoing council chairman Chinezie Obi for prudent management of council resources.
