Soludo explains his Tinubu support: old friendship, bold fixes, bigger tent

By: Oluwaseun M. Lawal

Walking out of the Villa on Tuesday, Charles Soludo looked upbeat. Said the President was in good spirits. He’s backing Bola Tinubu. Simple. It’s not just politics, honestly. It’s personal too. They’ve known each other for 22 years and counting—so, you don’t just ditch a friend. And he’s not APC, but his support isn’t wavering.

What’s driving it? The reforms. Tough ones. He believes the economic moves and structural resets are the right calls, even if they sting now. Stay the course, he keeps saying. He also nudged so‑called progressives to build a broader coalition—big tent stuff—to push democracy, jobs, and social development. Nigeria needs that, he argues. Its urgent.

Back home in Anambra, he talked security like a full-court press. A Homeland Security law kicked in January. The state is pairing force with persuasion—kinetic and non-kinetic, as they say. Crackdowns on fake “native doctors” selling lies to youths. Skills programs, grants, real work. About 5,000 trained already; another 8,700 set to receive funding—billions—this month or next. The target is audacious: create thousands of youth millionaires within three years. Roads, schools, clinics—those are getting fixed too. And if you cross the line? There will be consequences, quick.