By Stella Odueme
Chief Ikechukwu Cornelius Anonye has questioned Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, asking what the political alliance means for the interests and aspirations of the Igbo people.
Anonye, who declared his unwavering support for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also urged Ndigbo to reconsider their political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the only credible alternative to Tinubu.
In a press statement dated October 18, 2026, Anonye said Soludo’s reported decision to identify with Tinubu’s presidency and coordinate the President’s campaign in Anambra State raised questions about political accountability, ideological consistency and the historical identity of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
He noted that APGA, established in 2002, had long been associated with the political aspirations and collective interests of Ndigbo.
According to him, the party’s popular slogan, “Onye Aghala Nwanne Ya”—meaning “let no one abandon their brother”—represents a spirit of solidarity that many of its supporters associate with its political identity.
He, however, questioned whether the party’s decision to support the presidential ambition of a candidate from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) adequately reflected the interests of the Igbo people.
"What principles guided this decision? What concrete benefits will Ndigbo derive from this political arrangement? And were the wider interests and aspirations of the Igbo people adequately considered?” he asked.
Anonye acknowledged that Soludo and APGA’s leadership had cited strategic cooperation, national unity, security and economic development as reasons for supporting Tinubu.
He, however, argued that such explanations should be subjected to public scrutiny, insisting that political alliances should be assessed based on their measurable benefits rather than promises.
The statement also raised questions about Tinubu’s educational records, referring to the personal particulars published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in August 2026.
Anonye said the President listed his university qualification but left the primary and secondary education fields blank, a development he said raised questions about transparency and the completeness of the information presented to voters.
He, however, acknowledged that the omission should not automatically be interpreted as proof that Tinubu never attended primary or secondary school.
The APC-ADC supporter further questioned why Soludo, whom he described as an accomplished academic and economist, considered the political partnership appropriate, urging the governor to clarify the standards of transparency and accountability he expected of presidential candidates.
He maintained that the central issue was not whether APGA could cooperate with another political party, but whether the alliance adequately protected the interests of the people whose political support had given the party its historical significance.
According to him, Ndigbo deserve clear commitments on infrastructure, industrial development, employment, security, federal appointments and equitable representation in national governance.
Anonye therefore called on Soludo to explain the specific terms, objectives and expected benefits of APGA’s alignment with the Tinubu-led APC to the people of Anambra State and the wider Igbo community.
“Political pragmatism must not become an excuse for abandoning accountability. Equally, regional solidarity must be demonstrated through practical results rather than slogans,” he said.
He added that people in the South-East had the right to assess the alliance on its merits and determine whether it would advance their collective interests.
Reaffirming his support for the ADC, Anonye urged Ndigbo to reconsider their support for Atiku ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the former vice-president as the only credible alternative to Tinubu.
He called for greater scrutiny of political alliances and urged APGA’s leadership to reflect on the party’s historical identity and its responsibility to the Igbo people.