“Back Tinubu” — Soludo Asks Igbo Not To Waste Their Votes In 2027

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has urged the people of the South-East to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, warning that voting for alternative candidates would amount to wasting their votes.

NaijaChoice News reports that Soludo made the strong appeal on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, during his second-term inauguration ceremony at the newly renovated Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Onochie Anyachebelu, administered the oath of office and allegiance to Soludo at exactly 11:47 a.m. The same judge swore in Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim at 11:52 a.m.

High-profile dignitaries at the colourful event included Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who led the federal delegation, as well as former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. Other notable figures present were former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku and several state governors.

In a passionate address to the gathering, Soludo declared that the South-East must not “waste” its votes on other contenders in 2027 but instead rally solidly behind Tinubu, whom he described as a leader the region can trust.

He acknowledged that the political future of the Igbo people remains very important, adding that he would love to see “red caps at Aso Rock” one day. However, Soludo stressed that the timing for producing a president of South-East extraction is not now.

The governor expressed strong confidence in Tinubu’s administration, pointing to positive changes already visible in the South-East, including ongoing federal infrastructure projects such as the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge.

“President Tinubu is a cerebral, courageous and patriotic Nigerian. We trust him to make a major difference for Nigeria and the South-East,” Soludo said.

He further called on political opponents in Anambra to bury their differences and join hands with him for the overall development of the state.

“Elections and politics are over. The time for governance has come,” the governor declared.

Vice-President Shettima, in his own remarks, showered praises on Soludo, describing him as a public servant guided by ideas, integrity and courage.

Shettima said Soludo has shown “with ample elegance and courage what it means for a democrat to be a leader,” especially at a time when many traded integrity for relevance.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partner with the Anambra State administration, stressing that governance must put the welfare of citizens above partisan interests.

“There is no need for opposition in serving the people. It is not about continuity, but about responsibility,” Shettima added.

The Vice-President urged Anambra residents to support Soludo’s vision of positioning the state as a major economic and investment hub in Nigeria.

The inauguration marks the beginning of Soludo’s second term after his landslide victory in the November 2025 governorship election, and it has sparked fresh conversations about political alignments ahead of 2027.