Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo, has urged Ndigbo not to “waste their votes” in the 2027 elections, calling instead for strategic political engagement and coalition-building across Nigeria.
Soludo made this statement on Tuesday during his second-term swearing-in ceremony held at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.
“I pray that Ndigbo will never waste their votes again,” he said.
According to the governor, the Igbo must embrace pan-Nigerian coalition politics as a pathway to development and national relevance.
“Let us join hands with like minds across Nigeria to agitate for a fairer country,one where every citizen has an equal opportunity to succeed irrespective of language, dialect, region, or religion. We must work towards a restructured and dynamic federation.
Ndigbo need to maximise the benefits of Nigeria to transform the homeland. But we cannot do so by remaining on the sidelines as social critics and agitators. In a democracy, no one gets what they deserve; you get what you bargain for,with your votes. One obvious way to be taken seriously is through the strength of our organisation and votes.” he said.
Soludo argued that the South-East is currently performing far below its potential, warning that this trajectory must change for the sake of future generations.
He attributed the region’s challenges partly to internal contradictions and prolonged instability.
“Years of self-inflicted, devastating attrition combined with a complicit silence have threatened to turn the homeland into a desolate space, setting development back by decades. How did we get here?” he asked.
Reflecting on history, he noted that the Eastern Region was once among the fastest-growing sub-regions globally in the early 1960s.
He also recalled that shortly after the Nigerian Civil War, Igbos rose to occupy top national offices, including Vice President and Speaker of the House of Representatives between 1979 and 1983, as well as the Senate Presidency between 1999 and 2007.
However, he questioned the tangible impact of those positions on ordinary citizens:
“How did these positions improve the lives of women in Okpoko, Ngor Okpala, Akwete, Ezzamgbo, or Udenu? That remains a question. Perhaps the problem does not lie in our stars, but within ourselves.” he asked.
Soludo cautioned against overemphasis on political offices as symbols of progress, arguing that structural transformation matters more than elite representation.
“It would be symbolic to see a man in the red cap at the Presidential Villa someday, but whether that would fundamentally change the lives of the average Igbo person is debatable.”he stated.
He reiterated his long-held position that even if Igbos simultaneously occupied the offices of President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker, it might not necessarily translate into broad-based prosperity without the right development frameworks.
Calling for a paradigm shift, Soludo stressed the need for healing, unity, and a new narrative for Igboland:
“Igboland needs healing. We need a new language, a new narrative, and a different approach. With millions of Igbos living across Nigeria and globally, we need Nigeria,and Nigeria needs us.” he said.
He strongly rejected violent agitation, describing it as self-destructive:
“Armed struggle in our context is self-annihilating. Never again should we turn the gun on ourselves in the name of agitation. We need a day of justice and healing for victims, for the land, and for future generations.” he noted.
The governor also called for a coordinated regional development agenda, including what he described as a “Make AlaIgbo Great Again” (MAGA) movement—focused on rebuilding the South-East into a prosperous economic hub.
He advocated for a deliberate federal reconstruction programme for the region, comparable to the Marshall Plan, as well as equitable distribution of national infrastructure such as highways, gas pipelines, rail networks, and seaports.
Soludo acknowledged ongoing federal projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as “cerebral, courageous, and patriotic,” and urged the South-East to engage constructively with his administration.
“We appreciate ongoing projects such as the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge corridor. We also expect timely delivery on approved requests, including inclusion in national gas and rail masterplans, and dredging of the River Niger to operationalise the Onitsha River Port.”he said .
Addressing the people directly, he called for collective responsibility in building the state:
“Government alone cannot create the future we desire. Citizens must pay taxes, obey laws, contribute ideas, and support development initiatives. Each of us has a role to play in making Anambra great.” he added.
He also appealed to the diaspora to invest in their homeland, stressing shared responsibility for development.
Soludo assured that he, alongside his deputy and cabinet, would dedicate themselves fully over the next four years to advancing the state’s transformation into a livable and prosperous smart mega city.
“This mission is personal. I want to build a state where I can proudly retire, where my children and grandchildren will thrive, and where every Onye Anambra can say, ‘This is my home.’” he said.
Also speaking, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Soludo’s leadership, describing him as a courageous democrat committed to public good.
“His re-election reflects the trust and confidence of the people.
In governance, the welfare of citizens must take precedence over partisan politics. His second term is about consolidation.” the vice president said.
Shettima reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with Anambra State for national development.
The ceremony was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Emeka Anyaoku, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Alfred Achebe, Emeka Offor, and Chris Ngige, among others.
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