Tinubu hale, hearty – Soludo
Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, yesterday visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid growing speculation over the president’s health, as he had not been seen in public for more than a week. Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting Tinubu in his office, Soludo said the president is “hale and hearty.” […]
Tinubu hale, hearty – Soludo
Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, yesterday visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid growing speculation over the president’s health, as he had not been seen in public for more than a week.
Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting Tinubu in his office, Soludo said the president is “hale and hearty.”
“The president is in high spirits, hale and hearty, seeing people and so on and so forth. It was a pleasant meeting,” he said.
Apart from Soludo, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Senator representing Nasarawa West Aliyu Wadada, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun were also at the Villa to see the president.
Soludo, who is up for re-election on November 8, called on progressives across the country to form a “massive coalition” in support of Tinubu, describing the move as vital “not only for the development of our democracy, but also for the economic and social development of our country.”
Although he declined to reveal details of their discussions, Soludo said:
“It was such a pleasure to meet with him; it was quite a pleasant meeting.”
When asked why, as a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), he wore a cap endorsing the president, Soludo explained that the caps were produced when Tinubu visited Anambra.
He reiterated his belief that all political parties professing progressivism should “come out together in a massive coalition” to deepen democracy and drive economic and social progress.
“President Tinubu is my friend—has been my friend for 22 years now and counting, so you don’t deny your friend,” Soludo said. “I support him, and I’m impressed by the bold steps he has taken, particularly in the economy and structural reforms. We’re taking the right steps, and we need to stay the course.”
Senator Wadada said his visit was to felicitate with the president and inform him of his decision to leave the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the ruling APC.
On the opposition coalition, Wadada said that while he respected many of its leaders, he did not believe any could outperform Tinubu’s administration.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” he declared. “Between now and 2031, anybody can say what they wish, but the space is already taken.”
Challenging potential opponents, Wadada said:
“Who among them will have the courage to tell Nigerians they will return subsidy or handle the foreign exchange market differently from what Tinubu’s government is doing? When it comes to infrastructural development, what will they do differently beyond rhetoric?”