Umueri, Nigeria — High-ranking political figures in Nigeria, including current Vice President Kashim Shettima and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, arrived in south-eastern Nigeria on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The dignitaries landed at the Chinua Achebe Airport in Umueri, a town in Anambra State, to attend the official second-term inauguration ceremony of the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo. Okay News reports that a video statement released by the Anambra State New Media confirmed the arrival of these key national figures. The statement noted, “Vice President Kashim Shetimma and Former President Olusegun Obasanjo arrive at Chinua Achebe Airport, Umueri, for Soludo’s second-term inauguration. Former President Goodluck Jonathan arrives at Chinua Achebe Airport, Umueri, for Soludo’s second term.”
The presence of such prominent national leaders underscores the political significance of Governor Soludo’s administration and the strategic importance of Anambra State within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Other expected guests at the inauguration include elder statesmen like the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku. The main inauguration event is scheduled to take place at the recently renovated Alex Ekwueme Square in the state capital. The ceremony has drawn traditional monarchs from all 179 communities within Anambra State, alongside royal leaders from various other regions of the country.
Governor Soludo secured his second term in office during the gubernatorial election held on Saturday, November 8, 2025. He ran under the banner of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. The political party has mobilized its supporters across all 326 political wards in the state to participate in the celebration. This political transition affects millions of residents in the state who look to the government for continued infrastructural and economic development over the next four years.
To ensure safety during the high-profile gathering, a strict security presence has been established. Security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Federal Road Safety Corps have taken up positions at strategic locations across the state. Looking ahead, Governor Soludo is expected to outline the policy direction for his new administration following the official swearing-in ceremony. The governor and his deputy previously concluded their first tenure on Sunday, March 15, 2026, by attending an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the International Convention Centre in the state. All event times are recorded in West Africa Time (WAT).
