In a significant political development ahead of the Anambra state governorship election, prominent religious leader Primate Elijah Ayodele has declared that incumbent Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo is positioned to secure a decisive victory in Saturday's polls.
Prophetic Endorsement for Soludo's Second Term
Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos, expressed unwavering confidence in Governor Soludo's re-election prospects during a prophetic message shared on his social media platforms. The clergyman emphasized that the governor's performance across critical sectors has strengthened his position among Anambra voters.
In a video posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Ayodele stated that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has no reason to worry about the election outcome scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025. He specifically highlighted Soludo's achievements in infrastructure development, education reform, and economic revitalization as key factors that have improved the state's condition.
Opposition Parties Mount Challenge
Despite the optimistic prediction, Governor Soludo faces significant opposition from several major political parties determined to unseat him. The challengers include the Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Primate Ayodele addressed the competitive landscape, warning that "the opposition wants to fight him. They are going to bring cracks - leadership cracks. They want his party to derail; they want to bring confusion."
The religious leader offered direct advice to the governor, stating: "Don't allow them to cast a spell on your party, Soludo. I want you to be ready for them physically, spiritually, and economically."
Call for Opposition Candidates to Step Down
In a surprising recommendation, Primate Ayodele suggested that other gubernatorial candidates should withdraw from the race and support Governor Soludo's re-election bid. He argued that the incumbent possesses all necessary qualifications for victory and that competing against him would be futile.
"Soludo has all it takes to win his re-election bid. I am not seeing who can compete with him," Ayodele declared. "I will only advise other candidates to step down for Soludo and support him for good governance. Don't waste your money; Soludo will come back."
Governor Soludo, who previously served as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has led Anambra state since March 2022. The 65-year-old economist is seeking a second term under the APGA banner, leveraging his experience in economic management and governance.
The election comes amid ongoing discussions about power rotation among Anambra's three senatorial districts. Governor Soludo has previously cautioned voters that supporting candidates outside the Anambra South district could disrupt the established zoning arrangement that has facilitated peaceful power transitions in the state.
