By Ignatius Okorocha
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has described the broad political support expressed for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council as an unusual development in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Wednesday, October 14, Soludo said the gathering reflected what he regarded as an unprecedented level of political and elite consensus around a sitting President, particularly given the participation of governors and political stakeholders from different party backgrounds.

In a report compiled by the Media and Publicity Team of the Forum of Chief Executives of Federal Parastatals (FORCEPA), Soludo’s address was highlighted for its emphasis on cross-party cooperation, economic policy and the relationship between political leadership and national development.

The Anambra Governor, who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), explained that his party’s support for Tinubu was anchored on shared interests in national unity, security and economic prosperity.

Soludo drew attention to the number of governors associated with the gathering, describing the participation of approximately 31 state governors as evidence of an unusually broad political alignment. His observation concerned the political support expressed at the event and should not be confused with a formal endorsement by every governor or every Nigerian voter.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria also used the occasion to discuss the economic philosophy underpinning the Tinubu administration’s policies.

Drawing on his background as an economist, Soludo described the administration’s approach as *pragmatic progressivism*, suggesting that the President’s economic decisions reflected a willingness to confront structural challenges rather than postpone difficult policy choices.

According to Soludo, the administration inherited an economy facing significant pressures and had embarked on reforms intended to move the country from instability towards recovery and sustainable prosperity.

He credited Tinubu’s understanding of public finance with influencing the direction of the reforms, arguing that the President’s decisions should be assessed in the context of the structural economic problems confronting Nigeria before and after his assumption of office.

While supporters of the administration have pointed to macroeconomic adjustments and reform initiatives as signs of progress, critics have questioned the pace at which the benefits of those policies are reaching ordinary Nigerians.

Soludo nevertheless maintained that the administration’s approach reflected a commitment to addressing long-standing economic challenges and laying the foundation for future growth.

His participation in the APC Presidential Campaign Council inauguration was also significant because of his continued membership of APGA, illustrating the increasingly complex relationship between party affiliation and political cooperation in Nigeria.

The FORCEPA Media and Publicity Team observed that Soludo’s intervention placed economic policy and institutional performance at the centre of the discussion surrounding the 2027 presidential election.

As a forum bringing together Chief Executives of Federal Parastatals, FORCEPA recognises the importance of public institutions in implementing government policies, documenting development programmes and making accurate information about public-sector performance accessible to Nigerians.

By George Mgbeleke

There are strong indications the controversy surrounding the infusion of Rainbow Coalition into the All Progressive Congress(APC) was finally endorsed on Wednesday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike of PDP, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo of APGA , and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke of Accord , joined members of the All Progressive Congress (APC)Governors Forum, (PGF), and other leaders of the ruling party at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

This was as the Nigerian Senate had shut down its legislative business to attend the inauguration of Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council at Presidential Banquet Hall Aso Villa Abuja.

The three opposition figures were among the non-APC members included in the recently enlarged APC Presidential Campaign Council to clear the way for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

The too-level ceremony was held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja and had in attendance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and other top officials of the party.

In his welcome address, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the presence of the leaders reflects shared commitment to the party, confidence in its collective capacity and determination to present a compelling vision for Nigeria’s future.

Yilwatda, who was speaking on behalf of the National Working Committee, (NWC) particularly welcomed President Tinubu as leader of the party and presidential candidate, saying his leadership places special responsibility on the council to organise effectively, communicate achievements and engage Nigerians.

He said the inauguration marks the beginning of an important assignment of bringing together the strength of national structures, the experience of leaders and the energy of members to build a coordinated and credible campaign for the 2027 presidential election.

On the party’s record and vision, the chairman said under President Tinubu, the administration has pursued major economic reforms that addressed longstanding structural challenges and established a stronger foundation for sustainable growth.

He said while progress has been made in the last three years, the council must also acknowledge challenges while explaining objectives, progress and continuing work, including critical infrastructure such as roads, power projects, gas projects, railways, ports, agricultural infrastructure and digital connectivity.
According to him, the council has the responsibility to explain clearly what has been completed, what is progressing and what remains to be done, and to show Nigerians how the investments and reforms translate into practical improvements in daily lives.
Yilwatda assured party members that every level matters, from national leadership to state chapters, local government structures and ward members, urging the council to provide direction, coordination and clear responsibilities for governors, legislators and campaign officials to ensure the message reaches every community.
He particularly recognised the role of women, youth and persons with disabilities, saying women must be reflected in meaningful participation and leadership, youth must be engaged as partners with their creativity and digital skills, and persons with disabilities must have accessible and inclusive participation.
He appealed to Nigerians to support the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027, arguing that the reform agenda and development priorities deserve continued consideration to deliver further results, while engaging citizens on cost of living, security, jobs, education, healthcare, agricultural productivity and economic opportunity.
To the opposition, Yilwatda said the APC recognises their legitimate role in democracy and wants the election to be a contest of ideas, records and policies conducted peacefully, adding that the party will present its case with confidence, defend its record with facts and trust Nigerians to decide through a credible democratic process.
The chairman reaffirmed the NWC’s commitment to working with the council and all party structures, urging members to leave the gathering united in purpose, confident in preparation and determined to serve party and country, for a more prosperous, secure and united Nigeria.

By David Owei

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has faulted the criticism of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project by a former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke.

Mr. Duke had said in an interview on Arise Television that the project was an impossibility due to swampy terrain.

The 750km highway project being constructed by the Federal Government traverses nine coastal states, including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.

In his words, the former governor stated: “The Lagos-Calabar Road is unbuildable. You cannot even go through Bayelsa. Bayelsa is swamp. Even Yenagoa, the capital, is swamp. You will probably have to build about 100 or 200 bridges to go through those swamps.”

Responding to Duke’s criticism, the Bayelsa governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, expressed disappointment that a former governor of a South-South state in the heart of the Niger Delta region would criticise the project due to politics and not based on fact or reality.

Governor Diri said Duke’s reference to Bayelsa and its difficult, swampy terrain was out of sync with the reality about development in the state.

Diri contended that if Duke was in tune with happenings in Bayelsa, where his administration had built roads and bridges across swamps and the mangroves, he would have known that the coastal road project was possible.

“I have seen the trending video clip of the former Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Donald Duke, on an Arise Television programme.

“To say the least, I feel disappointed that former Governor Duke, who is from our region, made such comment. Clearly, he is not abreast of current developments in road construction and infrastructure development in our state.

“I want to believe that his criticism had political colourations and he did not consider the significance of a such a project to our region.

“In Bayelsa, we have successfully constructed dual carriage roads and bridges in similar terrain and our state is better for it. The Nembe-Brass road, the Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge road, and the Yenagoa-Oporoma road, which are major causeways in our three senatorial districts, are all in swampy terrain. Ditto for the 630-metre bridge across River Nun at Angiama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, which is one of the longest in the region.

“Dualised roads in the New Yenagoa City, the dualised Glory Drive Phase 1, 2 and 3 were built through the forest and swamps. Yenagoa is not what Duke described it.

“So, he is wrong. The Lagos-Calabar coastal road is buildable and possible.”

Diri further stated that the project was critical to unlocking development in the states and riverine communities along its pathway.

According to him, the coastal highway is also very dear to the Ijaw ethnic nationality as it is one of the projects that the Ijaw National Congress (INC), even from its inception in the 1990s, clamoured for.

He said it was only the administration of President Bola Tinubu that eventually undertook the project after many years of presenting the request to previous governments at the centre.

Diri explained that this was one of his reasons for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the interest of his people was paramount.

He cautioned against politicising development during election seasons as the consequences were often borne by the people that politicians seek their votes.