THE Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has explained why his political party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, adopted President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Soludo, who cited APGA’s history of political alliances and its relationship with the Federal Government, cited growing cooperation between APGA and the APC, as well as shared “progressive ideals”, as factors informing the party’s decision to support Tinubu in 2027.
He stated this at an event on Sunday, recalling that APGA had taken a similar position in 2011 when it adopted the then President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party as its presidential candidate.
He said, “When we were contesting for election recently, there were some people who came to chase us away, but during that period, there was a person that believes that ‘progressives are working together’, and that person supported APGA to survive in Anambra.
“And that person is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and he is the presidential candidate of APGA today. In 2011, APGA, under a leadership in Anambra, understood that we need an alliance with the centre, therefore, the party adopted then President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP as its presidential candidate, so we got the support from the centre and that is the reason APGA is still existing till today.
“Overtime, that alliance between the centre and APGA has gotten stronger. For next year’s election, APGA following that same tradition, has now formally adopted Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as its presidential candidate.
“If you are a supporter of APGA, on January 16, 2027, when you get your ballot paper, cast your vote for Tinubu for presidential, then APGA for Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly.”
Soludo noted that such cooperation could provide opportunities for stronger engagement with federal institutions and programmes.
The governor’s explanation comes as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with APGA’s proposed alliance with the APC expected to shape discussions about the party’s national political strategy and its interests in Anambra State.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Grand Alliance has congratulated Soludo, for his inclusion in President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council list for the 2027 general election.
The revised All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council list for the 2027 general election has named the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo; former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; and Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, among its members.
Under the revised list made available to journalists on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu will head the campaign council, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, serving as vice-chairmen.
In a statement on Tuesday by APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, the party said Soludo’s inclusion is a testament to his exemplary leadership, uncommon commitment to progressive ideals, and his consistent advocacy for a strategic partnership between APGA and the Federal Government for the collective good of Ndi Anambra and Ndigbo at large.
Ejimofor said Soludo’s mantra that ‘Progressives are Working Together’ is not just a slogan, but a statement of historical truth, adding that APGA, as the first truly progressive party in Nigeria, shares ideological DNA with the progressive movement at the centre.
He explained that while APGA remains firmly in control of Anambra State, the party’s position remains that in Anambra, it is Tinubu for President, APGA for Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly.
The statement reads partly, “The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Grand Alliance heartily congratulates our National Leader and Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on his well-deserved appointment as the Anambra State Coordinator of the President Bola Tinubu 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
“This appointment is a testament to Governor Soludo’s exemplary leadership, his uncommon commitment to progressive ideals, and his consistent advocacy for a strategic partnership between APGA and the Federal Government for the collective good of Ndi Anambra and Ndigbo at large.
“As a party, APGA has made its position clear. At our National Executive Committee meeting and during Mr President’s working visit to Anambra on May 8, 2025, we formally adopted President Bola Tinubu as our consensus Presidential Candidate for the 2027 general election. In line with this resolution, APGA did not field a presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
“Soludo’s mantra that ‘Progressives are Working Together’ is not just a slogan, but a statement of historical truth. APGA, as the first truly progressive party in Nigeria, shares ideological DNA with the progressive movement at the centre.
“This synergy has already yielded tangible dividends for Anambra State, including federal collaboration on critical infrastructural interventions and economic development enablers.”