Posters of Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo with President Bola Tinubu containing inscriptions for the latter’s re-election were pasted in some strategic locations within the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital, venue of the president’s reception.
President Tinubu is visiting the state according to information available to LEADERSHIP to perform two functions: commission the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, and, commission some legacy projects executed by the Soludo administration.
About 48 hours to the president’s visit scheduled on Thursday, the Anambra State government had banned any person or group from wearing or carrying any political party’s flags, emblems and campaign shirts, caps or any such insignia.
The state government order issued by the political adviser to the governor on Political Matters, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, that all attendees should appear in mufti simply reads: “This is to inform you that everybody coming to Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, for the reception of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu tomorrow should be in MUFTI. Please nobody should put on APGA clothes or Support Groups uniforms.”
Meanwhile, one of the posters sighted by LEADERSHIP, pasted in front of the pavilion located on the left-hand side within the main bowel of the Ekwueme Square from the entrance leading to the VIP pavilion , had the inscription “4+4 =8,” one of Soludo’s re-election campaign inscriptions.
Though Tinubu was yet to arrive at the Ekwueme Square as at the time of filing the report at about 2pm, it was however, learned that he had already arrived the state, but was holding a private meeting somewhere. But the group he was holding the meeting with and the venue were not ascertained, whether it was with Governor Soludo and members of his kitchen cabinet or the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming November 8, 2025 governorship election in the state.
The state was agog over the president’s visit as canopies were mounted at several strategic locations in the state, particularly in the popular Aroma junction, Awka, filled with people, including members of various groups and associations: youth groups, students unions, town union associations, Ohanaeze, etc.
Some of the prominent Anambra elders seated at the Ekwueme Square waiting to receive the president included Senator Ben Obi (Ojenigbo), Senator Stella Oduah, members representing Ihiala federal constituency, Hon Paschal Agbodike, his Oyi/Ayamelum constituency counterpart, Hon (Mrs) Gwacham, Chief Osita Chidoka; proprietor of Air Peace Airline, Chief Allen Onyema, Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, His Grace Paulinus Ezeokafor, Hon Ben Nwankwo, traditional rulers etc.
