AWKA, Anambra State — Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has come under intense criticism from social media users following his inauguration of a political structure to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general election against the political inclination of the popular presidential candidate from the same state, Mr. Peter Obi.
The governor’s political declaration, which he described as a battle for the soul of Nigeria, Ndigbo and Anambra State, has generated considerable controversy, with numerous commenters expressing anger, disappointment and disagreement with his decision to align the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the presidential level.
The development has reignited debate over the political direction of the South-East, the region’s relationship with the Federal Government and the implications of APGA’s decision to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
What Soludo Said
In a social media post following Sunday’s inauguration ceremony at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka, Soludo announced the inauguration of the Anambra State structure for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
The governor argued that the political alliance was more than an ordinary electoral arrangement, describing it as a strategic decision with far-reaching implications for Nigeria and the South-East.
He maintained that Ndigbo must move beyond what he characterised as emotional politics and embrace strategic political engagement with the centre.
According to him, the political history of prominent Igbo leaders, including Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alex Ekwueme and Evan Enwerem Okadigbo, demonstrates the importance of participating in national political calculations.
Soludo also argued that APGA and APC share what he described as progressive ideological values, particularly true federalism and shared prosperity.
Explaining his administration’s rationale for supporting the President, he said Anambra could not independently finance major infrastructure projects such as railways and gas pipelines without substantial federal collaboration.
He further pointed out that Tinubu secured just over 5,000 votes in Anambra State during the 2023 presidential election but had nevertheless supported the state.
Soludo argued that greater electoral support for the President could potentially attract more federal investment and development opportunities to Anambra.
Perhaps the most politically consequential aspect of his argument concerned the anticipated rotation of presidential power between the North and South.
He suggested that after the South completes its second term, power would return to the North before eventually coming back to the South around 2039.
Against that background, he argued that the South-East must establish stronger political relationships and secure a place in national decision-making rather than remain outside the political mainstream.
He concluded that a divided opposition would struggle against a strong incumbent, urging political stakeholders to unite behind Tinubu’s re-election.
The Social Media Backlash Against Soludo
Although governors are constitutionally entitled to express their political preferences and support candidates of their choice, the reaction to Soludo’s announcement has become a subject of considerable public interest.
A review of the comments supplied from the governor’s social media post reveals widespread criticism among the commenters, with many questioning his political calculations, his relationship with the broader Igbo political movement and the perceived benefits of his alliance with the Federal Government.
Some commenters accused the governor of prioritising political interests over the concerns of ordinary people.
Others questioned his argument that supporting Tinubu would improve the South-East’s chances of securing the presidency in the future.
Several commenters also revisited campaign promises associated with his administration, particularly the proposed Dubai-Taiwan economic vision and the status of the Ekwulobia flyover.
The following are some of the particularly striking reactions reproduced from the comments supplied:
Selected Reactions From Commenters
1. Benjamin Okafor wrote:
“Who knows soludo go and tell him, he will sleep and not wake up. Before January 16.”
2. Jonas Chinedu Ekperah described the gathering as:
“The gathering of vultures!!! This gathering is not of the Lord and therefore, it shall scatter!!”
3. Joseph Onochie wrote:
“Father of confusion APCGA last last your eyes will clear.”
4. Uchechukwu Victor Anyanwu questioned the governor’s political judgment, asking:
“What if somebody is running mad and we don’t know? I didn’t call name. I said somebody.”
5. Ebeson Padua declared:
“You’re of no use to ndi igbo.”
6. Agunwa Ndubuisi warned:
“Soludo all I can say is that a day of reckoning is coming. Time shall tell.”
7. Onyeka Emmanuel described the governor’s position as a disgrace to Anambra people.
8. Nweke Chukwuebuka expressed disappointment, writing:
“I’m truly disappointed on a professor that sees politics before life.”
9. Francis Oruche questioned the governor’s infrastructure record, particularly the Ekwulobia flyover, asking why it was not functional after completion.
10. Ekwunife Chidubem revisited the governor’s economic development promises, asking:
“Okooko professor, was this part of your campaign manifesto. How about the Dubai Taiwan abi breeze don carry that one?”
11. Hilary Anadu questioned the relationship between academic qualifications and political judgment, comparing Soludo’s position with the conduct of professors in the United Kingdom.
12. John Agbo warned that the governor’s political approach could damage the reputation of academics in politics, adding:
“You’re just closing the door for academicians in politics. You need to build character.”
13. Anyanwu described the governor’s political position as:
“Iberiberism is not by being a professor, this act is called iberiberism and apariology at its peak.”
14. Martins Iyke Rejoice wrote:
“With all due respect sir..Are you mad sir.”
15. Peter Osuagwu made a strong electoral prediction, declaring that he would stop eating pounded yam with ofe nsala if APC secured 500 votes in Anambra.
16. Moses Kelechi questioned the involvement of academics in partisan politics, writing:
“Professors are not good leaders politicians only use them to riger elections.”
17. Aku Uche Henry expressed personal disappointment:
“And I actually initially thought you had sense, sir. I dey vex for myself.”
18. Prince Dandy criticised the governor’s political alignment, writing:
“Soul of Igbo people kill you. Stupidity in the governor.”
19. Ugochukwu Umaefulam declared:
“Igbo land will need sons; not the likes of Soludo.”
20. Anayo Sunday questioned Soludo’s position on Igbo political representation, asking why he had allegedly abandoned his own brother and what would happen if an Igbo person eventually became president.
21. Somtoo Valentine urged the governor to leave Ndigbo out of the political arrangement, writing:
“Leave Ndigbo out of your shameful charade, na only you and your family sabi wetin una dey do.”
22. Adaora Nriezedi Otti advised the governor to pay attention to the comments, arguing that they demonstrated a lack of public support for his political position.
23. Ihekire Chidiadi Tony accused Soludo of making himself politically irrelevant in Igbo political affairs.
24. Micheal Kelvin questioned the governor about the Dubai-Taiwan economic development promise.
25. Miracle Ozoagu accused the governor of betraying his political brotherhood, writing:
“If you sell your brother, the buyer won’t trust you.”
26. Gideon Chiemerie questioned the numerical strength of the gathering, asking whether the number of people present could match the governor’s anticipated electoral target of two million votes for Tinubu.
27. Uzochukwu Anthony Snr challenged Soludo to compare his performance as a former Central Bank of Nigeria governor with that of former CBN governor Sanusi Lamido.
28. Sylvester Arinze Nwanonenyi mocked the alliance between APGA and APC, comparing it to mixing brown stones with brown beans.
29. Anene Justin predicted that APC would not secure 500 votes in Anambra, describing Tinubu’s 2023 performance in the state as a mistake.
30. Joycotech Joy Joy raised a question about the South-East’s future in Nigeria’s presidential power-sharing arrangement, arguing that the presidency should not be treated as an exclusive arrangement between the North and South.
31. Tony Moore questioned the governor’s expectations of electoral support for Tinubu in Anambra.
32. Ozor Uchenna warned that Soludo’s political career could suffer because of his decision to coordinate Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
33. Goodluck Chidera questioned the governor’s argument that presidential power would return to the North after the South completes its second term, asking whether that meant an Igbo person could not become president.
34. Engr Chibuike Ekesili accused the governor of hiding personal political interests behind elaborate political arguments.
35. Ugochukwu Anazodo suggested that Soludo’s support for Tinubu could be connected to future political ambitions, including a possible vice-presidential ticket.
36. Obianyido Nwabronike Mmadu predicted that Soludo would be remembered as the last APGA governor in Anambra.
37. Enoch Benjamin similarly accused the governor of undermining APGA’s political identity and warned that the party could lose its hold on the state.
38. Okafor Urchman Chinedum mocked the political alliance by describing APGA and APC as:
“APcGA…. ALL PRESENT CONFUSIONIST GROUP ALLIANCE.”
39. Christian M Okeh used three expressions to criticise the governor:
“Sabo Soludo / Professor of Bitterness / Igbo Enemy First Class.”
40. Echezona Billionz returned to the issue of the Ekwulobia flyover, writing:
“Go finish you fly over for ekwuluobia / Professor for mouth.”
These are selected examples from the 100 comments supplied by Peter Obi’s media side, Valentine Obienyem, for this report.
The original compilation also contains numerous other critical reactions, some of which employ abusive and threatening language.
The comments represent reactions from individuals on the governor’s social media post and should not be interpreted as a scientific measurement of public opinion across Anambra State.
APGA’s Position And The Tinubu Alliance
Soludo’s announcement is not an entirely new political development.
On March 20, 2026, the governor declared that APGA would not field a presidential candidate in the 2027 general election and expressed his support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
He maintained that the arrangement was consistent with APGA’s previous political strategy and its desire to maintain a working relationship with the Federal Government.
APGA has subsequently reaffirmed its support for Tinubu while maintaining that it intends to contest legislative positions in Anambra State.
The party has also clarified that its support for Tinubu at the presidential level does not mean it has abandoned its intention to win Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats.
On November 1, 2026, Soludo inaugurated the presidential campaign structure at the ICC, Awka, bringing together political stakeholders from APGA, APC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party.
The coalition was designed to coordinate political mobilisation across the state’s 21 local government areas.
The Bigger Political Question: Can Political Alliances Deliver Igbo Interests?
At the heart of the controversy is a fundamental question about the political strategy being proposed by the Anambra governor.
Soludo believes that supporting the incumbent president could strengthen the South-East’s bargaining position and improve its access to federal opportunities.
His argument is essentially that political participation and strategic alliances may deliver more practical benefits than remaining permanently aligned with opposition movements.
However, critics question whether supporting an incumbent president necessarily guarantees the South-East a stronger political position, particularly when the region continues to seek greater representation in the country’s highest political office.
There is also the question of whether presidential power-sharing arrangements should be treated as settled political agreements extending to 2039.
Nigeria’s Constitution does not prescribe an automatic North-South presidential rotation. Although zoning and power-sharing have become important features of the country’s political arrangements, they remain matters of political convention and negotiation rather than constitutionally guaranteed entitlements.
Consequently, Soludo’s projection about the future movement of presidential power represents his political assessment, not a binding constitutional arrangement.
The controversy also raises questions about the relationship between APGA’s regional identity and its decision to support a presidential candidate from another political party.
The Political Gamble of the Soludo
Soludo is entitled to his political convictions, just as Anambra residents and other Nigerians are entitled to disagree with them.
His argument that political engagement with the Federal Government could benefit Anambra deserves examination on its merits.
Equally, the people have a right to demand measurable evidence of the benefits of such political cooperation, including infrastructure development, economic opportunities, federal appointments and improved representation.
The governor’s challenge, therefore, extends beyond inaugurating a campaign structure or assembling political leaders in Awka.
He must contend with the questions being raised by critics about his administration’s performance, the future of APGA and the actual benefits that Anambra and the wider South-East stand to gain from the alliance.
Whether the online backlash translates into electoral consequences remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: Soludo’s decision has opened a significant debate about political loyalty, regional interests, presidential power rotation and the future direction of APGA.
For a governor seeking to persuade his people that his political strategy represents their collective interest, the growing public disagreement presents a challenge that cannot be dismissed merely as opposition politics.
Soludo may believe he is securing Ndigbo a place at the national political table.
His critics, however, are questioning who authorised him to speak for the entire region and whether the bargain he is proposing will ultimately deliver the expected benefits.
The political battle over that question is only beginning.
Concluding his remarks on the Soludo gamble, Obienyem said:
“Soludo may have his reasons for supporting Tinubu’s re-election. He is entitled to them.
“But the people are equally entitled to disagree.
“And from the reactions reproduced above, it is evident that many have strong reservations about the political direction he has chosen.
“He seems intent on committing political “harakiri”.”
