Tinubu has been my friend for 22 years — Soludo

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By Madu Obi

Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has declared his unalloyed support for President Bola Tinubu, saying the president has been his personal friend and political ally for 22 years

Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, Soludo said friendship and shared progressive ideals, not political party labels, has guided his relationship with the president.

“Tinubu has been my personal friend for over 22 years. You don’t hurt your friend and start quivering about who he is. I support him, and I’m impressed by the bold steps he has taken, particularly in the economy and structural reforms,” Soludo said.

According to him, Nigeria is taking the right steps in economic restructuring under Tinubu, and what is needed now is consistency.

He recalled that his call for progressives to work together dates back to Tinubu’s visit to Anambra during the last election season, stressing that political collaboration across party lines is key to national development.

On security, the governor said his administration is executing a “holistic” strategy that blends military force with non-kinetic measures.

He credited the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law in January with disrupting criminal syndicates and forcing many “deadly native doctors” who lured youths into crime, to flee the state.

Soludo said that youth remains a core pillar of his non-kinetic approach, adding that 5,000 young people have been trained and empowered over the past one year, while another 8,700 are set to receive multi-billion-naira financial support soon.

“We’re creating several thousand youth millionaires within our first three years and this is in addition to massive investments in infrastructure, schools, and healthcare", he added.

He said that while opportunities are being expanded for the youths, security agencies — backed by intelligence gathering — will deal decisively with anyone who persists in criminal activities.