ABUJA, Nigeria — Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, says Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, will “eventually” join the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing him as a “natural progressive” who aligns ideologically with the party’s leadership.
Speaking with journalists before Tuesday, November 11, 2025’s Senate plenary, Kalu said Soludo, who is currently a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), shares similar political and economic principles with key figures in the APC, including President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“I think after all the court cases, he is a progressive like myself, President Tinubu, and the Senate President,” Kalu said.
“Soludo is a progressive. He will come to APC. In fact, it is confirmed that he will join APC. He has no other alternative.”
Soludo secured re-election on Saturday, November 8, 2025, defeating APC candidate Nicholas Ukachukwu by over 300,000 votes in the Anambra governorship election, which observers described as peaceful and competitive.
The senator’s comments come amid growing speculation about possible political realignments across Nigeria’s South-East, where the APC has been attempting to consolidate influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kalu also responded to rumours that Alex Otti, the Labour Party governor of Abia State, may defect to the APC, insisting that no one is being pressured to join the ruling party.
“Neither I nor other senators, the Senate President, or President Tinubu have ever forced anybody to join our party,” Kalu said.
“We welcome anyone who shares our vision, but it’s a personal decision. Nobody is coerced.”
He expressed respect for Otti’s leadership but maintained that his loyalty remains with the APC.
When asked if he would support his brother, Mascot Uzor Kalu, who is reportedly eyeing the 2027 Abia governorship race, Kalu said his loyalty to the APC would determine his position.
“If my brother is APC, I will support my brother. If the governor is from another party, I will fight against him. It’s very simple,” he said.
Kalu dismissed suggestions that President Tinubu faces serious opposition ahead of the next presidential election, asserting that the incumbent’s performance would secure him broad support.
“The election is Tinubu vs Tinubu. What is left is for this progress to trickle down to the masses,” he said.
He acknowledged that while macroeconomic indicators are improving, ordinary Nigerians are still struggling, stressing that agricultural revitalisation and enhanced security will be key to reducing economic hardship.
