APGA endorses Tinubu as 2027 presidential candidate, targets 50% Anambra votes

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has officially backed President Bola Tinubu as the party's chosen nominee for the 2027 general elections. Anambra State Governor and APGA National Leader Professor Charles Soludo announced the decision on Friday, November 6, 2026, during the inauguration of the party’s national campaign in Awka. Soludo announced that the organization would refrain from nominating an independent presidential contender, making it clear that Tinubu is the only APGA candidate for the forthcoming vote.

In a strategic shift aimed at enhancing the state’s political leverage, Soludo set a target of delivering 50 percent of Anambra State’s votes to the sitting president. He framed this endorsement as a necessary step to ensure the state and the broader South-East region have a stronger voice in federal decision-making. By supporting the incumbent, Soludo argued, the region would be better positioned to negotiate for development and address local challenges with the federal government.

Background

Professor Soludo justified the endorsement by highlighting President Tinubu’s past actions in support of the Igbo people, particularly those from Anambra. He recalled that during Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State, several indigenes of Anambra were appointed to strategic positions within the state government. Soludo noted that this history of engagement demonstrated genuine care and concern for the region.

The governor also acknowledged the low turnout for Tinubu in Anambra during the 2023 presidential election, where the state contributed approximately 5,000 votes to his total. Despite this minimal support, Soludo stated that the president has continued to address challenges facing the state and the South-East region. He characterized the 2027 support as an extension of an established political trend, observing that APGA had historically aligned with the ruling party's presidential nominee in previous contests. This arrangement, he explained, reflects a consistent political strategy rather than a new development.

Why it matters

The decision has significant implications for the political landscape in Anambra State and the South-East region. By aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), APGA aims to strengthen its bargaining power with the federal government. Soludo emphasized that voting for Tinubu would allow the state to sit at the center of governance and negotiate effectively for its development.

However, the cross-party arrangement has sparked reactions from various political stakeholders. According to reports, APC stakeholders in Osun, Rivers, and Anambra states have expressed concern that longstanding party loyalists are being sidelined in favor of politicians from rival parties. In particular, President Tinubu's broadened 2027 Presidential Campaign Council appointed Governors Adeleke, Soludo, and Minister Wike as state coordinators, even though they belong to opposition groups. Opposition candidates within APGA and the Accord Party have warned that this arrangement could negatively impact their chances in National Assembly and state assembly elections, suggesting that the focus on the presidential race may overshadow other critical contests.

What happens next

APGA will now proceed with its national campaign for the 2027 general elections, operating under the directive to support President Tinubu. The party has made clear that it will not contest the presidency with a separate candidate. As the campaign launches, the focus will shift to mobilizing support in Anambra State, where the goal is to secure the targeted 50 percent of the vote. The political dynamics in the region will likely be closely watched as the party navigates the balance between supporting the federal government and addressing local electoral interests.