Ngige, Etiaba, Obiano, Other Anambra Bigwigs Absent at Soludo’s Tinubu Re-election Campaign Rally

By Our Correspondent

Awka — Former governors of Anambra State, Dr Chris Ngige, Dame Virgy Etiaba and Chief Willie Obiano, alongside other prominent political figures in the state, were conspicuously absent on Sunday at the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign structure in Anambra State.

Their absence was particularly noticeable given that they were among the categories of political stakeholders expected at the meeting, according to an invitation issued by the Anambra State Government ahead of the event.

The invitation, dated October 22 and signed by the Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Presidential Campaign Council in Anambra State, Dr Ben Nwankwo, specifically listed current and former governors and deputy governors of the state among those expected to attend.

Other categories of invitees included former political appointees, members of the National and State Assemblies, former local government chairmen, party chieftains and other prominent stakeholders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, the three former governors and some other notable political figures were not sighted at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka, venue of Sunday’s event.

As of press time, Our Correspondent could not ascertain the reasons for their absence.

The meeting, convened by Governor Soludo, who is also the Anambra State Coordinator of President Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council, was aimed at inaugurating the campaign structure and mobilising political stakeholders across party lines for the President’s re-election bid in 2027.

Addressing the gathering, Soludo described the emerging political alliance as a battle for the soul of Nigeria, Ndigbo and Anambra State.

He said the primary objective of the coalition was to secure Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the South-East could no longer afford to remain outside the mainstream of national politics.

The governor maintained that political participation at the centre was necessary for the region to attract federal infrastructure and other developmental opportunities.

He recalled that prominent Igbo political leaders, including Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr Alex Ekwueme and Dr Chuba Okadigbo, had played significant roles in national politics.

Soludo also argued that APGA and APC shared progressive political ideals, making their collaboration in support of Tinubu a strategic decision.

He urged political stakeholders to look beyond partisan differences and work towards the President’s re-election, while assuring candidates contesting other positions on different political platforms of a level playing field.

The governor further announced that campaign structures across the state would be streamlined before the end of the following week, stressing that elections were ultimately won at polling units and ward levels.

The event attracted representatives of APGA, APC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party.

Among those who addressed the gathering were APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, and Senator Anosike.

Ezeokenwa described the coalition as an unprecedented political alliance and commended Soludo for facilitating the coming together of political parties in support of Tinubu’s re-election.

Senator Anosike, who admitted having initial reservations about the political initiative, expressed appreciation for what he described as the developmental strides recorded by the Soludo administration.

The Sunday gathering marked the formal inauguration of the Tinubu re-election campaign machinery in Anambra State ahead of the 2027 general election.