“I Have No Apologies for Supporting Tinubu” — Soludo

Anambra governor hails president’s reforms, outlines security gains

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State says he has “no apologies” for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite belonging to different political parties.

Speaking with journalists at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, Soludo described Tinubu as both a political ally and a personal friend of 22 years.

“You don’t deny your friend and begin to quiver about who he is. I support him, and I’m impressed by the bold steps he has taken, particularly in the economy and structural reforms. We’re taking the right steps; we only need to stay the course,” the former Central Bank governor said.

Soludo stressed that parties with progressive ideals should work together to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and drive development, recalling that his call for “progressives working together” dates back to Tinubu’s visit to Anambra during the last election season.

Security in Anambra

On the fight against insecurity in the state, Soludo said his administration is pursuing a “holistic” approach that combines force with non-kinetic strategies.

He credited the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law in January with dismantling criminal networks, adding that many “deadly native doctors” who allegedly lured youths into crime had fled the state.

The governor highlighted youth empowerment as a central pillar of his non-kinetic strategy. He said 5,000 young people had been trained and empowered in the past year, while another 8,700 would soon receive multi-billion-naira financial support.

“We’re creating several thousand youth millionaires within the first three years,” Soludo said, noting that this was in addition to massive infrastructural upgrades, and improvements in schools and health facilities.

He assured that while opportunities were being created for the youth, law enforcement — backed by intelligence gathering — would deal decisively with those who choose crime.