By Uche Nworah, Ph.D
The atmosphere in Anambra state, especially the capital city, Awka, has taken on a colourful and celebratory mood as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu undertakes a working visit to the state on Thursday, 8th May 2025.
Publicity by Anambra state government officials indicates that the President will commission some projects while in the state. Among the projects to be commissioned is the new Government House, which has been nicknamed ‘Obi Ndi Anambra’.
While President Tinubu is of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Both political parties will square off in the November 2025 gubernatorial elections. Each of the political parties is already trying to milk the presidential visit to their advantage.
Some APC stakeholders have questioned the timing of the President’s visit, arguing that it will disadvantage the party during the coming gubernatorial election. However, it must be said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is President of Nigeria, which includes all the states, and not just the President for only the APC states.
With his sights set on re-election in 2027, the President will be hoping to further deepen the relationship with the people of the South-East with the visit, who have long complained of marginalization in government political appointments, and in extending other dividends of democracy to the region.
The Anambra state government has, in a flyer shared on the internet, described the visit as “Progressives working together”. Mr. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media to President Tinubu had this to say on President Tinubu’s visit; “In continuation of his visits to all parts of the country to foster developmental relationships between the Federal Government and the Sub-nationals, President Tinubu’s visit to Anambra State after his recent visit to Enugu state is a demonstration of his interest in the development of all parts of the country. President Tinubu chooses national cohesion and collaboration, rather than partisanship, which can be divisive”.
