By Buchi Michael
ANAMBRA — Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has described the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as a political “visa” through which many Igbo politicians rose to prominence, urging those who benefited from the platform not to underestimate its relevance.
Soludo made the remarks on Saturday at the headquarters of Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Ozubulu, shortly after commissioning a number of projects executed by the outgoing council chairman, Hon. Chinezie Obi.
The governor expressed concern over the defection of some politicians who, according to him, attained political prominence through APGA before moving to other parties and subsequently questioning the relevance of the party.
He maintained that APGA remains an important political platform in the South-East, particularly in Anambra State, where it has maintained a strong presence.
Soludo also called for a more strategic approach to political participation by the people of the South-East. He argued that concentrating political support in one direction while remaining disconnected from the Federal Government could limit the region's access to national opportunities.
On the 2027 general elections, Soludo said APGA's current position was to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the presidential level while seeking to retain the National Assembly and State Assembly seats in Anambra.
According to him, the position is consistent with APGA's philosophy of “Progressives working together.”
The governor's remarks come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections. While Soludo has presented cooperation between APGA and APC as part of the party's strategy, APC leaders in Anambra have publicly disputed the suggestion that the two parties are operating as a joint political force in the state.
Soludo also referenced APGA's performance in Anambra's recently concluded local government elections, noting that the party secured the chairmanship and councillorship positions across the state.
The governor's political comments were made against the backdrop of development projects commissioned at Ekwusigo Local Government Area.
He commended the outgoing council chairman, Chinezie Obi, for what he described as prudent management of council resources and the execution of projects, including road construction, CCTV installations and skills-acquisition centres for young people and students.
Soludo said the projects demonstrated that local governments could deliver meaningful capital projects when available resources were properly managed.
He pledged to reward Obi for his performance and expressed confidence that the incoming council mayor, Hon. Ifeanyi Onuchukwu, would build on the achievements recorded by his predecessor.
Speaking at the event, Obi commended Soludo's leadership and said his administration had benefited from the governor's development initiatives.
“What you saw here today is a testament of my vision,” Obi said.
The incoming mayor, Onuchukwu, said he had already prepared an action plan for his administration and would commence implementation after his inauguration in line with his manifesto.
The event also featured the presentation of Community Service Awards to Obi and Onuchukwu by the youth wing of the Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC), led by its President-General, Hon. Ken Okoli.