On September 16, 2025, several blogs and social media pages circulated the claim that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, was blocked from attending President Bola Tinubu’s event in Owerri, Imo State. The post, which first appeared on Facebook by AIF Media, alleged that Soludo had lobbied to join other governors, but the presidency refused to grant him access. It further claimed that he attempted to bar the APC governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, from attending the event.
According to the viral claim, Soludo had lobbied to be part of the presidential visit but was allegedly denied access by the presidency. The reports also alleged that he attempted to prevent the APC governorship candidate in Anambra, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, from attending the event by allegedly paying middlemen. It further claimed that Soludo was “clearly refused access” to the event and that his tenure would end on November 8th.
CLAIM 1: Governor Charles Soludo was blocked from seeing President Bola Tinubu during his visit to Owerri, Imo State, and attempted to prevent the APC governorship candidate and his running mate from attending the event.
VERIFICATION:
The CDD War Room investigated the claim that Governor Soludo was refused access to President Tinubu during the presidential visit to Owerri on Tuesday, September 30, to commission a series of projects delivered by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
We found that the story originated from partisan platforms such as AIF Media and was amplified by Facebook groups linked to political interests in Anambra State. None of the reports provided verifiable evidence, such as official statements from the presidency, eyewitness accounts from mainstream media, or photographs showing Soludo being denied access.
Credible media outlets reported on President Tinubu’s visit to Imo State on 30 September 2025. Premium Times, Punch Newspaper, News Central, and Channels Television all covered the official event. The reports confirmed that President Tinubu was in Owerri to commission several “legacy” infrastructure projects executed by Governor Hope Uzodimma, including the reconstructed Owerri–Mbaise–Umuahia Road and the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre. The visit also featured the public presentation of a book authored by Uzodimma, chronicling his administration’s achievements. We further checked official communication from the Presidency and the Imo State Government regarding the visit. No record exists of Soludo being scheduled to attend or being refused entry. Instead, the claim appears to rely on unverified anecdotes and partisan commentary.
CLAIM 2: Governor Charles Soludo’s tenure as Anambra governor will end on November 8, 2025
VERIFICATION
The allegation that Soludo’s tenure ends on November 8, 2025, is incorrect. Anambra State operates on an off-cycle governorship calendar because of previous court rulings and electoral disputes that shifted its election timetable outside the general election cycle. Governor Charles Soludo was sworn into office on March 17, 2022, following his victory in the November 2021 governorship election. Under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), governors serve a renewable four-year term beginning from the date of swearing-in. No provision of the Constitution or the Electoral Act supports a termination of his tenure in November 2025, as alleged. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also aligned with this calendar, confirming that Anambra’s next governorship election will hold in late 2025, with the swearing-in of a new governor scheduled for March 2026. Therefore, the suggestion that Soludo’s tenure will end on November 8, 2025, misrepresents the state’s electoral timetable and ignores the constitutional provisions governing the tenure of elected governors. The sub-claim that “thousands of dollars” were paid to block opposition candidates from the event is equally unsubstantiated. No financial evidence or corroboration was presented, and the report relies entirely on hearsay.
VERDICT: FALSE
CDD War Room found no evidence from credible media, official statements, or independent observers to support the claim that Governor Charles Soludo was blocked from seeing President Tinubu in Owerri or that he attempted to prevent APC candidates from attending the official event. The story originated from partisan blogs and social media, with no factual basis. Additionally, the claim that Soludo leaves office on November 8 is inaccurate, as his tenure runs until March 2026.
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