Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State announced on Thursday that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has officially endorsed President Bola Tinubu as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Soludo also emphasised that APGA and the All Progressives Congress (APC) would work in tandem, as both parties share a common belief in progressivism.
The announcement was made at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka during the president’s working visit to the state. Governor Soludo stated, “Progressives are working together.”
Tinubu also used the opportunity to ask Soludo to provide him with a parcel of land on which to establish a retirement home.
Tinubu made the demand on Thursday at a reception hosted in his honour while visiting the South-eastern state to commission some “legacy” projects.
“Many of my friends are from Anambra State, and I have seen many of them today,” he began, shortly after receiving a chieftaincy title.
Speaking further, the president said, “Going forward, we are not just friends. I am now a bona fide son of the soil – one of you, your own son.
“Maybe my friend and your governor, Charles Soludo, should find me a plot of land for my retirement home after service.”
When the audience began clapping in support of the proposal, Mr Tinubu said that he would not enjoy being accommodated for a short period of time, such as a week.
“You don’t have to move me (away) from the (presidential) villa for only one week. Give me a permanent abode,” the president joked.
Mr Tinubu was previously granted the chieftaincy title of “Dike si Mba” by Anambra State’s traditional rulers.
Chidubem Iweka, Chairperson of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, conferred the title on the president in Awka’s Alex Ekwueme Square.
During the ceremony, Mr Iweka, the traditional ruler of the Obosi Community, revealed that the title was bestowed in honour of Mr Tinubu’s contributions to the country’s progress.
“This is a title from all the royal fathers in the 179 communities of Anambra State. It is called Dike Si Mba Anambra, meaning ‘warrior from the Diaspora’, and it acknowledges your good works across the country,” the traditional ruler said.
In his acceptance speech, Tinubu expressed his gratitude for the distinction, noting that in 2005, a traditional ruler in the state bestowed upon him the title of chieftain.
“I feel deeply honoured by the conferment of the chieftaincy title by all the traditional rulers of Anambra State on behalf of the state.
“To have all the traditional rulers of Anambra confer another title on me is not only historic but one which I will greatly treasure for the rest of my life,” he stated.
