Soludo Says Political Differences Have Not Affected Friendship With Obi

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has said his relationship with former governor Peter Obi remains cordial despite their differing political positions, stressing that their families also maintain close ties.

Soludo made the remarks during an interview with BBC Igbo, where he described Obi as a close friend and said their political disagreements had not affected their personal relationship.

He explained that the two families had maintained longstanding ties, adding that their differences centred on their approaches to politics and the future of the South-East.

The governor also recalled advising Obi, before the 2023 general election, to return to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and help build the party as a political platform for the region.

Soludo argued that greater political organisation in the South-East would strengthen the region's ability to negotiate for national political opportunities.

On the 2027 presidential election, the governor expressed support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election, arguing that backing the incumbent could improve the South-East's prospects in future negotiations over the presidency.

He criticised what he described as the region's reliance on protest voting, saying political participation should be guided by strategic interests rather than emotions.

Obi, who governed Anambra from 2006 to 2014, has maintained a different political position from Soludo, who belongs to APGA. Obi is now associated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and is seeking the presidency in 2027.

The two politicians have previously dismissed suggestions that their political disagreements amount to a personal feud.