~Tinubu and I are progressives, we’ll work together
By Ifeizu Joe
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday inaugurated some projects constructed by the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, describing them as iconic and monumental.
President Tinubu was in Anambra for a one day working visit, where he inaugurated the new Anambra State government house, which is also attached with a governor and presidential lodges. The president also inaugurated the Solution Funcity, the refurbished Dr Alex Ekwueme Square and the Dr Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy.
Tinubu also inaugurated the iconic Light of the Nation Tower; an imposing edifice constructed by Dutum Construction Limited, which is seen not just as a significant tourism and beautification project attached to the new government house, but designed to enhance the aesthetics of the area and symbolize the state’s progressive identity.
During the tour, the president described Governor Soludo as his brother and friend, noting his brilliance and ability to lead the way for any state; a statement viewed as a significant boost for Soludo’s reelection bid. This is coming as Soludo also noted that he and President Tinubu are both leaders of progressive minded parties, saying it is high time all progressives came together to salvage Nigeria.
Tinubu who was hosted to a townhall meeting at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square said: “Two years ago, I stood here as a presidential candidate of my party to seek for your votes. I’m thankful for your support and I am happy to be here to commission some legacy projects.
“I salute the enterprise of the South east and her people, and your unwavering commitment to success, not just to the South east but to Nigeria as a whole.
“Soludo your son is my friend and still remains my friend. He is a brilliant man, he has the brain and he knows the way and we will work together. We will work together to bring prosperity back and put Anambra is on the rise.
“I have just commissioned several landmark projects today, this are bold statements and they point to his ability as a leader. I remember when he (Soludo) wanted to consolidate banks and many people said it was impossible, but he did it and today we are benefiting from that action.
“We will continue to partner with the states and the South east to protect our people. I have taken note of the appeals, especially about Anambra being the gully erosion capital of the South east, we will assist through the ecological funds and that will be rectified.”
Earlier, the president was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Dike Si Mba Anambra, by all the traditional rulers in the state. The title in Igbo means – a warrior from a distant land.
Reacting to the conferment, Tinubu said: “I feel very happy about the conferment of traditional chieftaincy title and I feel humbled. Going forward, I’m not just friends with Soludo, but I’m now one of you. I want to ask Soludo to look for a land for me where I will build my retirement home.”
Presenting his speech during the event, Soludo disclosed that his party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has years back taken a stand to support any government in power at the federal level, and that the decision has not changed, as his government would support the Tinubu-led administration till it concludes its tenure in 2031.
Soludo said: “Your visit today is historic and consequential. This visit is not just to commission projects, because we have over 500 kilometers of roads to be commissioned. We have schools, water projects, hospitals and others that await commissioning. These projects are mere symbolism for a new Anambra State. We are in a haste to lay solid foundation and we are determined to change the trajectory of Anambra from a departure lounge to a destination.
“We are deeply grateful for the several road projects you are doing in the South east, and the list is quite a long one, running into hundreds of billions. Part of our master plan in Anambra is to dualize all trunk A and B roads. We are spending about N170billion on that.
“Our partnership with federal government is working well and we benefit from all interventions in roads, scholarship, health and education. We are benefiting. Whatever is due to us, we are getting.
“We will however need intervention in some critical areas. Anambra remains the gully erection capital in Nigeria and they are far beyond what any state government will be able to take on.”
Soludo further added that: “For the future of Nigeria, Tinubu must succeed and we will support him in every possible way not only to succeed but to excel.
“Before I joined the APGA, we adopted a paper to support any government in power and we have always supported the government in power and that position has not changed. Coincidentally, today I can say that the government in power APC is a progressive government. We in APGA are also a progressives, and I can say that the progressives are working together now matter the party. APC are brothers to us in APGA.
“I can say that even though we are all progressives, we know who is the leader of progressives. It is time for all the progressives and federalists to unite and form a front for the good of Nigeria. Mr president is the leader of the biggest progressive party, while I’m the leader of the oldest progressive party in the country.
“It won’t be a bad idea for you to relocate your office from Abuja to Awka and work here for one or two weeks. We will be happy to have Aso Rock relocate to Anambra for a week or two,” Soludo added jokingly.
Some prominent indigenes of the state who spoke earlier insisted that Soludo was performing well and needs all the support he can get to achieve a second term in office, so as to continue his good works. The indigenes included; the South east chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mrs Ada Chukwudozie, prominent businessman, Sir Emeka Offor, former Secretary-general, Commonwealth of Nations, Dr Emeka Anyaoku, among others.
The event attracted several dignitaries across Nigeria, including; governors of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Gombe, Ogun and Delta States. Also in attendance were Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin kalu, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Minister of State for foreign affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, among others.
