The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, welcomed the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to the State House in Abuja during a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening collaboration on national development, regional stability, and security reforms. The meeting further highlighted the growing partnership between the Presidency and the South East region of Nigeria.
Governor Soludo shared details of the meeting through his official Facebook page on Friday, noting that President Tinubu received him on Thursday with what he described as “his usual warmth, big smile, and open arms.” He also explained that the President personally celebrated his recent victory in the Anambra State governorship election, saying that the people’s mandate reaffirmed the trust they placed in his leadership.
Soludo wrote, “Yesterday, I paid a courtesy visit to my dear friend and brother of over 22 years, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the State House, Abuja. Mr. President received me with his usual warmth, big smile, and open arms. He again personally congratulated me on the resounding mandate given to me by the good people of Anambra State in the just-concluded governorship election – a victory he described as a testament to the trust and confidence Ndi Anambra have in our shared vision for a livable and prosperous homeland. I remain deeply grateful to Mr. President for his immediate congratulatory message on that historic day, and for his continued goodwill and support for Anambra State.”
Okay News reports that the meeting touched on the importance of stronger ties between regions and the Federal Government, with Soludo emphasising the value of united efforts in addressing national challenges. He stated that “stronger regional cooperation, institutional reforms, and people-centred policies are essential for building a safer, more prosperous, and united Nigeria,” adding that the collaboration between the Presidency and Anambra State would continue to drive long-term progress.
The visit came shortly after Soludo participated in a major gathering of Southern Nigeria leaders held in Iperu, Ogun State, where governors and traditional rulers jointly presented a strategic plan aimed at resolving security issues, improving economic resilience, and promoting coordinated governance across the region. Soludo, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, played an active role during the discussions and later reaffirmed Anambra State’s commitment to the shared decisions taken during the meeting.
According to a statement issued on Friday by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the leaders expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s direction for the country, praising his commitment to national stability and economic reforms. The forum settled on a series of security measures to respond to threats affecting the region, including the establishment of a zonal security fund intended to support joint operations across state boundaries, improve intelligence coordination, and strengthen collaboration between security agencies and state governments.
Part of the resolutions also included pushing for the creation of state policing systems, implementing a unified resident identification programme to enhance planning and security management, and improving the efficiency of existing regional security outfits. The leaders further discussed governance reforms and sustainable land and mining management in order to curb illegal extraction activities that continue to affect the economic wellbeing of several communities in Southern Nigeria.
Traditional institutions were recognised as vital to the success of these initiatives, with the forum agreeing to give greater institutional backing to traditional councils so they can play expanded roles in conflict resolution, local governance, and grassroots mobilisation.
Aburime noted that the meeting reinforced the collective resolve of Southern Nigeria to speak with one voice on issues affecting their political development, security, and economy. He added that the leaders reaffirmed their readiness to work closely with the Federal Government for the advancement of the entire country.
Earlier in November, President Tinubu had congratulated Soludo on his re-election victory, which he described as “an affirmation of visionary leadership,” while also promising to deepen federal and state collaboration with Anambra State. The Independent National Electoral Commission later declared Soludo the winner of the off-cycle governorship election after he won all twenty one Local Government Areas.
