Two former Nigerian presidents and the nation’s vice president were among dignitaries who arrived in Anambra State on Monday for the second-term inauguration of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, landed at Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri, underscoring the national significance of the ceremony. Governor Soludo and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim, are scheduled to be sworn into office on Tuesday at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.
The inauguration follows a planned series of pre-inauguration events that began on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with an interdenominational service at the International Convention Centre in Awka. That service marked the conclusion of Soludo’s first four-year term and included prayers for the incoming administration. A thanksgiving mass is also set for Sunday, March 22, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, further framing the transition as a period of both civic and spiritual observance.
In preparation for the main ceremony, security has been significantly heightened across Anambra State. Law enforcement agencies, including the police and other security services, have been deployed to key locations to ensure a smooth and orderly event. The heightened presence aims to facilitate public participation while maintaining safety during the high-profile gathering.
Governor Soludo, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was first elected in 2021 and took office in 2022. His re-election bid, which secured him a second term, was contested amid the state’s complex socio-political landscape. Anambra, a key state in Nigeria’s southeastern region, has often been a focal point for national political attention. The attendance of two former heads of state and the sitting vice president highlights the event’s importance on the national calendar and signals broad political recognition of the state’s administration.
The Tuesday swearing-in at Alex Ekwueme Square will formally commence Soludo’s new four-year term. Following the constitutional oath, the governor is expected to deliver an inaugural address outlining his agenda for the state’s development. The ceremony concludes a week-long period of ceremonial activities that blend official protocol with community-focused religious services.
This inauguration not only marks a transfer of executive authority within Anambra State but also serves as a moment of political continuity. Observers will be watching for signals regarding the governor’s policy priorities for his second term, particularly in areas such as economic development, infrastructure, and security, which have been central concerns in the region. The event sets the stage for the state’s governance trajectory until 2030.
