With just days to the Anambra State governorship election, political observers are questioning the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s readiness following the notable absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the party’s rally held on Friday, October 31, in Onitsha.
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The President’s nonappearance has sparked renewed speculation, especially given his long-standing friendship with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Tinubu has openly described Soludo as “a good friend, a visionary, and a true progressive,” a relationship that dates back to 2003.
Represented at the rally by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu commended Governor Soludo’s “remarkable performance,” applauding his economic reforms and developmental projects that have positioned Anambra as a thriving hub for business and investment.
His absence, however, has been interpreted by analysts as symbolic, coming at a time when Governor Soludo has been advancing his “Progressives Working Together” agenda — a political philosophy that transcends party boundaries and emphasizes collaboration over rivalry.
The APC’s decision to flag off its campaign barely a week before the election, fielding Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu as its candidate, has also drawn criticism from political observers who see it as a half-hearted attempt in a state long dominated by APGA.
Earlier in March, during the flag-off of the Second Niger Bridge access road in Ogbunike, Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, praised Governor Soludo’s leadership, describing his governance model as visionary and people-centered. “I don’t see anyone that can challenge you in this election,” Umahi remarked — a statement that further underscored the governor’s strong grip on the state’s political landscape.
During his May state visit to Anambra, President Tinubu publicly reaffirmed his bond with Soludo, stating:
“Governor Soludo has been my friend since 2003, and we are working together for a better Anambra and a better Nigeria.”
Political analyst Dr. Chijioke Obatosu described Soludo’s approach as “developmental politics” — one that prioritizes progress over party loyalty. According to him, Soludo’s strategy blends economic vision with political pragmatism, ensuring that “Anambra’s interests come first.”
As election day approaches, the unfolding dynamics suggest that Soludo’s brand of inclusive governance and long-standing alliances may be redefining political boundaries in Anambra — and possibly setting a new tone for politics in Nigeria’s Southeast.
