By Toby Chuks
It’s obvious that the 2027 general elections is a time for the ruling party in Anambra State, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to once again test its might at the polling booths across the State. As usual, APGA is going in for two sets of elections which include National Assembly elections in 3 Senatorial Districts, 11 Federal House of Representatives elections and 30 State House of Assembly elections. On record, these elections are not easy for APGA.
Take Anambra North Senatorial Districts for instance, in the last elections in 2023 APGA lost the Senatorial seat and 3 seats out of 4 House of Representatives seats in Anambra North. Looking at Anambra North ahead of the 2027 general elections, observers are questioning the chances of APGA in getting back to reckoning on a stronger note in Anambra North by winning National Assembly seats.
The answer to the question about APGA chances of winning elections into National Assembly largely depends on many factors which include the kind of candidates APGA will field on the ballot box, the incumbent force that could be deployed by Governor Soludo to back the candidates of APGA and the qualities of opponents on the ballot box mainly opponents from Peter Obi’s camp. It’s obvious that the elections won’t be easy for APGA If Peter Obi emerges the Presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) which is now the main opposition party in Anambra State.
As earlier noted, the candidates fielded by APGA coupled with incumbent force of the Governor will determine the chances of the party to win elections. Observers say APGA has some quality aspirants for National Assembly seats who can coast home to victory in National Assembly elections. Taking Anambra North in view, there is quality aspirant going in for APGA ticket for the Senatorial poll in the person of Dr Alex Obiogbolu, a former Chairman of Local Government Service commission who is also ex Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Poltical Matters.
Observers say Obiogbolu an intelligent, bold and courageous gentleman is a home boy of Onitsha and well connected to the grassroots. According to them, Obiogbolu’s grassroots connection represents a fresh ground to build a new APGA that Soludo is evolving and his election into the Senate will spark a vital breakthrough for APGA. A current affairs analyst, Dr Joachim Chinundu described Obiogbolu’s aspiration for Senate as timely considering the fact that he is coming at a time when APGA is set out to do new work aimed at moving the party to higher height.
“Obiogbolu for Senate? I would like to say yes because he is okay for the job. He has been tested and trusted as an intelligent, bold and courageous gentleman and I am sure that he will live up to expectations of APGA and Anambra North if elected as a Senator. And based on his grassroots connection as Onitsha boy holding two densely populated local governments of Onitsha North and South as his stronghold, I am hopeful that he is going to coast home to victory as candidate of APGA for the Senate election”