Why Tinubu’s Anambra visit spells more trouble for Ukachukwu’s governorship bid

BY CHUKWUEMERIE UDUCHUKWU

The visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to Anambra state to commission projects executed by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is not merely a ceremonial event but a political statement with profound implications for the state’s 2025 gubernatorial election. For Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, this visit should be a source of deep concern, serving as a stark reminder that, in the eyes of the presidency, there is only one true contender for the upcoming election: the incumbent governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

It is also important to note that the absence of traditional political courtesies extended to Ukachukwu since his emergence as the APC candidate, coupled with the president’s apparent alignment with Soludo and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), underscores a reality that he must confront with his supporters. This reality is that President Tinubu, a seasoned and tactical politician, appears to prioritise political pragmatism over party loyalty, favouring a proven winner in Soludo over an APC candidate whose electoral viability remains questionable.

Since Ukachukwu, who is also known as Ikukuoma, clinched the APC gubernatorial ticket on April 6, 2025, with 1,455 votes, his political journey has been marked by a conspicuous lack of engagement from the highest echelons of his party and the presidency. Typically, candidates of Nigeria’s ruling party, especially for staggered elections, are invited to Aso Rock for a congratulatory ritual, which is a symbolic gesture of endorsement and support from the president.

Yet, despite Prince Ukachukwu’s Abuja residence being in close proximity to Aso Rock, no such invitation has been extended. This omission is not a mere oversight but a deliberate signal. Furthermore, the absence of congratulatory messages from the presidency, APC governors in the south-east, or the Progressive Governors Forum, which comprises all APC governors nationwide, speaks volumes. These silences are not accidental; they reflect a calculated distancing by the party’s leadership from a candidate who has yet to demonstrate the political clout necessary to challenge APGA’s dominance in Anambra.

Furthermore, Ikukuoma’s insistence that he has President Tinubu’s backing is increasingly difficult to reconcile with the facts. His claims of presidential support, as articulated in public statements following his primary victory, appear to be more aspirational than grounded in reality. The president’s decision to visit Anambra to commission projects under Soludo’s administration is a clear indication of where his confidence lies. If Tinubu truly believed in Ukachukwu’s capacity to deliver Anambra to the APC, he would not dedicate his tightly packed schedule to an event that effectively serves as a public relations coup for Soludo and APGA.

The commissioning of projects such as the new Anambra Government House, the Governor’s Lodge, the Solution Fun City, road projects and the Ekwulobia Flyover is not just an acknowledgment of Soludo’s achievements; it is a tacit endorsement of his leadership and a boost to his re-election campaign and it wouldn’t be surprising if the president openly endorses the governor for a second term. This should be a wake-up call for Ukachukwu to reassess his assumptions about his standing with the president and the national leadership of the APC.

The APC candidate’s supporters, too, must abandon the illusion that their candidate is the president’s preferred choice. They have clung to the narrative that Tinubu, as a loyal party man, will rally behind the APC candidate regardless of circumstances. However, this view underestimates Tinubu’s reputation as a tactical politician who prioritises outcomes over sentiment. The president’s political career is built on strategic alliances and calculated risks, not blind loyalty to party lines. In Anambra, where APGA has maintained a stronghold since 2006, Tinubu recognises the futility of banking on APC chieftains who have yet to prove their ability to win even at the polling unit level.

Moreover, Ikukuoma’s political history, marked by party-hopping and allegations of manipulating primaries, does little to inspire confidence. His emergence as the APC candidate was controversial, with accusations of delegate list manipulation and defections by party members who viewed him as unelectable. In contrast, Soludo’s administration has delivered tangible results, from infrastructure development to security improvements, earning him widespread support among ndị Anambra voters.

In fact, the notion that Tinubu would gamble on Ukachukwu, a candidate with a controversial track record, over a political marriage with APGA is wishful thinking. APGA’s dominance in Anambra is not just a function of political machinery but a reflection of its deep-rooted identity as the state’s political soul. Soludo, as APGA’s flag bearer, embodies this identity, leveraging his achievements and intellectual pedigree to solidify his grip on the state.

Tinubu, with his eyes firmly set on securing a second term in 2027, understands the strategic importance of aligning with a party and a governor who can deliver votes. Anambra’s electoral weight in the south-east, a region where the APC struggles to gain traction, makes this alignment even more critical. By contrast, the APC, described by some as “non-existent” in Anambra, offers little assurance of electoral success. The defection of prominent APC members, such as Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezi, to APGA in protest of Ukachukwu’s candidacy further weakens his position, signalling internal disarray within the party.

The president’s visit to Anambra is a clear expression of Aso Rock’s confidence in Soludo’s government. It is not merely a ceremonial act but a strategic move to bolster Soludo’s re-election bid while reinforcing Tinubu’s influence in the Southeast. The projects being commissioned are high-profile, showcasing Soludo’s ability to deliver on his promises and positioning him as a governor worthy of federal support. For Ikukuoma, the visit is a public reminder of his marginalisation within the APC’s broader strategy, and like I earlier said, if Tinubu had any intention of backing him, he would have ensured that he was prominently featured in the President’s itinerary, perhaps as a gesture of party unity. Instead, the focus is squarely on Soludo, with the APC Candidate relegated to the sidelines. This exclusion is a strong alert to Ukachukwu and his supporters that the President is not betting on a candidate whose political influence is largely confined to social media posturing during election seasons.

Ukachukwu’s supporters must also recognise that Tinubu’s political calculations extend beyond Anambra’s gubernatorial race. The president’s perceived alliance with Soludo is partly motivated by a desire to counter Peter Obi and the Labour Party in the south-east. Also, Soludo’s public defence of Tinubu’s policies has strengthened this partnership. By commissioning Soludo’s projects, Tinubu is not only rewarding a governor who has aligned with his administration but also signalling to ndị Anambra that the incumbent governor enjoys federal backing.

This dynamic puts Ukachukwu at a significant disadvantage, as he lacks the institutional support and grassroots momentum needed to compete. Also, his claims of being a “godfather” in Anambra politics, instrumental in the emergence of past governors, ring hollow in the face of his inability to secure even a symbolic nod from the presidency. The sooner Ikukuoma and his supporters accept the reality of Tinubu’s preference for Soludo, the better equipped they will be to re-strategise and face the reality. Continuing to operate under the delusion of presidential support is not only counterproductive but also risks further alienating potential allies within the APC.

As I conclude this piece, I will not forget to urge Ikukuoma to attend the commissioning event, as it may represent his only opportunity to secure a presidential handshake before the November 8, 2025, election. Such a gesture, however fleeting, could at least provide a semblance of relevance in a race where he is increasingly overshadowed.

Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu, an Anambra state indigene, writes from Abuja, Nigeria. He can be contacted via [email protected]