Parties’ Primaries Unveil How Soludo’s ‘Magic’ Yield Solutions in Anambra

By Chuka Nnabuife

THE jury is not yet out on Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s stewardship as governor of Anambra State.

What is known is that his first three years on the stead has, beyond doubt, been excellent in the way he went about his chores and in the assignments he chose to embark on.

He so distinguished himself in his duty that on Saturday, April 6, 2025 when his party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) held their congress and rally for the selection of their candidate for the November 2025 gubernatorial election, nobody put up to challenge him. It was a straight vote of affirmation from all the 3,260 accredited delegates from all the 21 local government areas in Anambra State. 3,175 delegates cast their votes. Baring six invalid votes, all the votes gave the governor a nod to carry on and be the party’s candidate for his second term, and chairman of the electoral committee, Uche Nwaegbo officially declared Chukwuma Charles Soludo the candidate of APGA for the approaching election.

Amid an uproarious applause from the over 4,000 persons in attendance at the vast venue — party delegates, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) observers, media reporters, law enforcement and security agents among others — Prof. Soludo accepted and appreciated the offer from his party’s members and thanked Ndi Anambra for making his reign, so far, a successful and eventful one. He also said that he is taking along his deputy, the very hardworking and affable Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim as his running mate for the second term.

Despite surmounted challenges, Gov. Soludo’s stewardship in the Government House, Agu-Awka has become a totem of reference for remarkable records in governance. His score card has notched up so many enviable scores that even naysayers and the scores of opposition parties in Anambra State deemed it unnecessary to field candidates for the November 2025 governorship election.

On that Saturday, April 6 that candidates were supposed to emerge from all other political parties, only two of them, Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) held their rallies in Awka and announced their candidates. While Chief George Muoghalu emerged in LP, Evangelist Livinus Ukachukwu was announced as the candidate of APC. Ordinarily, all of Nigeria’s 91 registered political parties were expected to field candidates.

Given such a slim field, the ‘most asked’ question among Nigerian politics’ pundits was what was amiss. Some pondered whether it was the feats of Gov. Soludo in his first three years in power or the fear of his party, APGA which has, over decades established that Anambra State is its stronghold and a fortress it has made impenetrable to other parties during local elections.

During the APGA delegates’ Congress at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, bold flexi banners stating: ‘Anambra is APGA. APGA is Anambra’ were displayed conspicuously in several places. Beyond the banners that dotted the rectangular arena, Gov. Soludo pressed home the point of his party’s firm grip and foothold in the state when he did not fail to note the strength of the party in his speech while accepting his nomination and endorsement by all the delegates from the 327 wards of the state as the party’s flag bearer for the November polls.

In his engaging and unavoidable baritone, he described the party as the only genuinely progressive party in Nigeria since 2002, and thundered to the applause of the audience: “Anambra is APGA, and APGA is Anambra”. He went ahead to establish how the party warmed itself into the hearts of Ndi Anambra by its characteristics of care and concern. He referred to APGA’s deliberate pro-grassroots governance policies and ‘carrying everyone along.’

While giving his gratitude to Ndi Anambra and major interest groups such as faith-based organisations, traditional rulers, public servants, clergymen, community influencers, volunteer partners in various communities as well as over 60 volunteer Soludo support groups among others, Prof. Soludo promised that his second tenure in government will even bring more rewards to Ndi Anambra.

He promised that his ‘Solution Government’ will rave into higher gear as he goes ahead into his second term.

“We have only scratched the surface.
“I will not let Ndi APGA and Ndi Anambra down. I cannot and will not take this trust for granted,” he emphasised.

He restated his desire to build a city state where the future is bright and full of hope and no one is left behind in enjoying the dividends of democracy and development.

Apart from clearly demonstrating the people’s approval of Gov. Soludo’s leadership, the APGA congress buttressed the success of the Solution Government and the fact that members of the party are in support of it.

Actually, Soludo acknowledged what many of the delegates said of his Solution Government. They described it as magical and unprecedented. He said that the performance of his administration so far, though outstanding, is far from where he craves to be.

While urging Ndi Anambra to join hands with him, as the collaboration will ensure the manifestation of greater feats and better governance.

“It is only together that Anambra can do better,” the governor said while highlighting some of the strides of his stewardship such as impactful youth employment.

Beyond massive infrastructural developments across the state, feats such as his employment of 8,115 teachers from various parts of the country to boost the state’s human capital and the recruitment of civil servants, the multi-dimensional pushback against insecurity through law, law enforcement, and community mobilisation were highlighted.

The governor disclosed his Solution Government’s overriding interest is to achieve economic transformation in all sectors of the state. Hence his support for small and medium businesses, and the empowerment of artisans and start-ups for traders. He disclosed that the construction of roads and vital infrastructure is crucial for holistic development, and connection of rural and urban areas that will attract economic boom.

While disclosing that through value system reformation, digital governance, he expressed his desire to achieve a cleaner Anambra through unrelenting waste management and urban regeneration as well as his efforts to deepen transparency and accountability in the public sector.

One factor that stood out as the governor recounted his plethora of projects was his knack for identifying policies, facilities and establishments that never existed hitherto and making them come to be.

When some of his projects were reeled out some visiting pundits who wondered why it appeared possible contenders across political parties had to abandon the race for Soludo. Whether in policies, infrastructure or establishments Soludo came across as an innovative leader who thinks outside the box and brings to life, novel projects that instantly bring impactful advancement Anambra State. Like an ’empire builder’ some of his projects like the new State House (Obi Ndi Anambra), the Solution Fun City and expressive road constructions such as the four-lane expressway and flyover at Ekwuluobia, the new express ways: Amawbia through Agulu to Ekwuluobia, the Umunze-Agulu-Nnewi-Okija, the Ufuma-Awba Ofemmili among others and structural facilities in hospitals and schools across the state.

By the time many of the reporters who were in Awka, Anambra State to cover the congresses were through with the beat, the jury of pundits’ verdict was that Soludo’s magic is really yielding impactful solutions in Anambra State.