Soludo argued that political influence at the national level requires more than regional solidarity, pointing to the coalition-building strategies associated with First Republic leader Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and President Bola Tinubu as examples of the importance of building relationships across the country.

The governor’s position comes amid preparations for the 2027 general elections and his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, despite belonging to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), a party separate from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Soludo has said APGA will not field a presidential candidate in 2027 and will instead support Tinubu. The party’s leadership has also publicly backed the decision, describing cooperation with the federal government as a strategic move.

The governor’s position was further highlighted by his appointment as Anambra State coordinator of Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council. APGA has welcomed the appointment, while maintaining its intention to contest other elective positions.

Soludo’s stance has also raised questions about whether his predecessor, Peter Obi, who is identified in the report as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential flag bearer, can expect the same level of support in Anambra that he received during the 2023 election.

Responding to expectations that Soludo should support Obi because they are both Igbo and have governed Anambra, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said political decisions should be based on party platforms and policy differences rather than ethnic identity alone.

Aburime argued that voters should assess political parties according to their ability to improve people’s lives. He also cautioned against assuming that voting patterns in 2023 would automatically be repeated in 2027.

On the economy, Aburime said Soludo supported the removal of the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration. He described the measures as difficult but necessary responses to longstanding structural challenges.

The debate reflects competing views about how the South-East can strengthen its influence in national politics: through support for the incumbent government and strategic alliances, or through backing a candidate from the region.

Soludo’s argument is that building bridges across political and regional divides could improve the South-East’s bargaining power and prospects of securing broader national support for an Igbo presidency in the future.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia