Tinubu’s Visit to Anambra: A Subtle Nod to Soludo, a Stark Warning for APC’s Ukachukwu

 

Tinubu’s Anambra Visit Raises Eyebrows, Signals Political Shift Ahead of 2025 Guber Poll

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Anambra State, ostensibly to commission signature projects executed by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has set the political landscape abuzz. Far from being a routine federal acknowledgment of infrastructural progress, the visit has been interpreted by many observers as a well-orchestrated political maneuver that speaks volumes about Tinubu’s strategic leanings ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial election.

This high-profile appearance comes at a sensitive time for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra, particularly for its gubernatorial candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, popularly known as Ikukuoma. Despite clinching the party’s ticket on April 6 with 1,455 votes, Ukachukwu has found himself navigating a political terrain conspicuously devoid of presidential warmth or institutional support from his party's leadership.

Signs of this isolation are glaring. Since his emergence, there has been no congratulatory message from the presidency. Nor has there been any acknowledgment from the Progressive Governors Forum or APC governors from the South-East. It is a departure from the tradition usually accorded to flag bearers of the ruling party, especially during off-cycle elections. The silence from Aso Rock is not being read as an oversight but as a calculated move — one that could be signaling Tinubu’s preference for a different political path in the state.

During the president’s visit, attention was firmly centered on the accomplishments of Governor Soludo, who rolled out an impressive lineup of completed infrastructure: the Anambra Government House, Governor’s Lodge, the Solution Fun City, expansive road networks, and the landmark Ekwulobia Flyover. These projects not only highlighted Soludo’s governance record but also gave Tinubu a compelling platform to implicitly validate the APGA-led administration without uttering a word about the APC’s gubernatorial hopeful.

This subtle alignment has triggered political introspection within the APC fold in Anambra. For Ikukuoma, the optics are troubling. The president, known for his tactical political approach, appears more inclined toward maintaining a working relationship with a sitting governor who has demonstrated capacity, rather than betting on a candidate whose political capital is seen as unproven.

Insiders say the message is clear: loyalty to the party is no substitute for electoral viability. Soludo, with a blend of policy impact and grassroots engagement, has managed to position himself as a formidable force ahead of the November election. Meanwhile, Ukachukwu's camp continues to reel from what some describe as a “calculated abandonment” by the party's hierarchy.

The proximity of Ukachukwu’s Abuja residence to the presidential villa did not translate into the customary invitation for a photo-op or endorsement meeting. Instead, it amplified the contrast between his expectations and the political reality. Claims made by Ukachukwu in the media about enjoying the president’s backing now appear to be aspirational at best, lacking any verifiable demonstration of support from Tinubu or the APC’s upper ranks.

Adding to his woes, key APC members within Anambra have defected in protest, further weakening his already fragile support base. The defection of Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezi to APGA, citing concerns over the legitimacy of Ukachukwu’s primary win, underscores the internal turmoil that continues to plague the APC in the state.

Governor Soludo, on the other hand, has benefitted not just from visible projects but also from calculated political commentary. His occasional public defenses of President Tinubu’s national policies have not gone unnoticed, establishing a rapport that appears to be bearing fruit. For Tinubu, the benefits of maintaining this alliance may extend beyond Anambra’s borders, particularly as he seeks to shore up support in the South-East ahead of the 2027 general election and checkmate the influence of Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

Political analysts argue that this evolving dynamic places Soludo in a strong position to clinch a second term. With federal validation now tacitly in his corner, his political trajectory appears to be on an upward curve. Meanwhile, Ukachukwu finds himself battling both opposition and indifference, caught in a swirl of party disunity and dwindling relevance.

Despite this grim backdrop, there are calls for Ukachukwu to seize any remaining opportunity to remain visible — including attending the project commissioning events. While such an appearance may not alter the power dynamics, it could provide a momentary lift, possibly even a handshake with the president — a symbolic gesture that, at the very least, could give his campaign a sliver of legitimacy.

Political survival, however, requires more than symbolism. Ukachukwu’s camp must face the hard truth that without recalibrating its strategy and uniting a fractured APC base, their candidate risks becoming a footnote in a race already being defined by Soludo’s incumbency advantage and growing federal alignment.

The unfolding scenario is a textbook case of political pragmatism superseding party loyalty. For Tinubu, whose political acumen is rooted in making alliances that yield results, Soludo offers a path of less resistance and higher return. Conversely, Ukachukwu’s campaign must reckon with the limits of aspiration when detached from institutional reality. As the countdown to November 8 continues, the contrasts between both candidates — and their respective fortunes — grow ever starker.