Governor Soludo Confirms APGA Will Forego 2027 Presidential Bid to Support President Tinubu Re-election

Governor Chukwuma Soludo confirms APGA will not run a 2027 presidential candidate, choosing to support President Tinubu to secure a "stake" for the South-East.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 21, 2026, 6:31 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Daily Post Nigeria

A Strategic Shift in Southeastern Political Alliances

Governor Chukwuma Soludo has formally declared that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will abstain from contesting the presidency in the 2026-2027 election cycle. Speaking during a media briefing shortly after his second-term inauguration, the Governor clarified that the party intends to focus on building bridges rather than engaging in a solitary and likely unsuccessful national bid. Soludo defended his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a personal friend whose performance warrants a second term, while asserting that this decision is rooted in the long-term geopolitical interests of the Anambra people.

Historical Precedents for Partisan Consensus

The Governor drew direct parallels between the current decision and previous electoral cycles where APGA prioritized broader national stability over party-specific candidates. He reminded stakeholders that in 2011, the party successfully adopted a similar strategy by endorsing then-President Goodluck Jonathan rather than fielding its own contender. By framing the current decision as a continuation of this pragmatism, Soludo is attempting to normalize the act of strategic concession as a valid and historically grounded tool for minority party survival within the complex Nigerian political landscape.

The Pursuit of Enlightened Self-Interest for the South-East

According to Soludo, the primary challenge remains communicating this shift to the South-East electorate, whom he described as politically astute. He argued that once the populace understands the "enlightened self-interest" behind supporting a winning incumbent, they will recognize the logic of ensuring they are not left out of the federal distribution of power. This editorial framing suggests that the Governor views a direct presidential challenge from the region as a less effective path to development than securing a confirmed "stake on the table" within the existing federal administration.