With the date for the Anambra State governorship election fixed for November 8, 2025, horse trading has already begun among politicians who have declared interest in taking over Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s job by March 17, 2026.
In the last one month, many politicians have joined the race, particularly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Federal might
While some of the aspirants are hoping that the so-called federal might would apply to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, others believe that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has not done enough to deserve reelection.
Insecurity
Essentially, they have made insecurity in the state a campaign issue as they use every available opportunity to blame the state government for the kidnappings and activities of gunmen that still hold sway in parts of the state.
APGA’s optimism
However, the ruling party appears not deterred as government is seriously working to impress voters in the coming election. Officials of the ruling APGA are optimistic that with Governor Soludo’s strides in infrastructure development, particularly in road construction, the people of Anambra State will vote for his reelection.
Soludo’s achievements
APGA officials are quick to point at the rehabilitation of urban roads in Awka and Onitsha, the Amansea – Ndiukwuenu- Ufuma road, the Amansea – Awba Ofemili road, the flyover linking Ifite road, as well as the ambitious Amawbia – Agulu – Ekwulobia road dualization with a massive flyover at Ekwulobia roundabout.
Zoning arrangement
Indeed, the main plank of the APGA campaign is the zoning arrangement, which was introduced by the party during the administration of former Governor Peter Obi.
In the last one month, many politicians have joined the race, particularly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Federal might
While some of the aspirants are hoping that the so-called federal might would apply to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, others believe that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has not done enough to deserve reelection.
Insecurity
Essentially, they have made insecurity in the state a campaign issue as they use every available opportunity to blame the state government for the kidnappings and activities of gunmen that still hold sway in parts of the state.
APGA’s optimism
However, the ruling party appears not deterred as government is seriously working to impress voters in the coming election. Officials of the ruling APGA are optimistic that with Governor Soludo’s strides in infrastructure development, particularly in road construction, the people of Anambra State will vote for his reelection.
Soludo’s achievements
APGA officials are quick to point at the rehabilitation of urban roads in Awka and Onitsha, the Amansea – Ndiukwuenu- Ufuma road, the Amansea – Awba Ofemili road, the flyover linking Ifite road, as well as the ambitious Amawbia – Agulu – Ekwulobia road dualization with a massive flyover at Ekwulobia roundabout.
Zoning arrangement
Indeed, the main plank of the APGA campaign is the zoning arrangement, which was introduced by the party during the administration of former Governor Peter Obi.
The argument in the state is that zoning has given the three senatorial districts the opportunity to produce the governor by a deliberate rotation. That was why after Peter Obi, who is from Anambra Central, the governorship went to Willie Obiano from Anambra North, who after his eight years, handed over to Professor Soludo(Anambra South), who will be completing his first tenure next year. Since the electioneering history of Anambra State, no governor from Anambra South has done two terms. Late Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife did less than three years in the botched Third Republic. In the Fourth Republic, late Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju did one term. The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, denied him reelection ticket, and when he ran on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, he lost.
No zoning in APC
However, the APC has insisted that it does not have such zoning arrangement, which is why aspirants from the party have emerged from all the three zones. According to APC, APGA shouts zoning when it suits it, recalling that the same APGA members from other zones presented themselves for the governorship when it ought to leave it for a particular zone.
It is therefore not surprising that APC aspirants are from Anambra Central, Anambra South, and Anambra North. Those in the governorship race on the APC platform include Sir Paul Chukwuma from Umueri in Anambra East LGA in Anambra North; Professor Obiora Okonkwo, chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, from Anambra Central; Chief Chukwuma Umeoji from Ezinifite Aguata in Anambra South and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu from Osumenyi also from Anambra South.
Sir Paul Chukwuma
Chukwuma is a foundation member of APC and was the party’s former national auditor. He was among those who declared interest in the race and he has been hosting many APC stakeholders to brief them on his ambition. While some people argue that the position should be left for Anambra South to complete the eight – year tenure in line with the ongoing zoning arrangement in the state, Chukwuma has consistently argued that the so-called zoning is an internal arrangement of APGA as there was never a time the people of Anambra State met to decide on zoning.
“My desire is to rebuild our dear state, which has gone to wrong hands. The rule of law has broken down and we cannot allow this to continue. My number one plan for the state is to bring back security.”
Professor Obiora Okonkwo
Professor Okonkwo is also among those who have been supporting APC even from the days of Action Congress, AC. He contributed in the electoral success of Senator Chris Ngige who represented Anambra Central and also produced the winners for House of Representatives for Idemili North and South, as well as the member of the state House of Assembly for Idemili North. During the last election, he was coasting to victory at the PDP, primary until the delegates list was was allegedly manipulated. He later vied on the platform of Zenith Labour Party, ZLP,
While addressing stakeholders in his Ogidi, Idemili North LGA country home, Okonkwo said people should not be deceived about zoning as it is a ploy to stop him from contesting.
“I have made this decision as a proud son of Anambra State, driven by a deep sense of responsibility, to contribute my quota to the development of our beloved state. This is a decision I have made after deep reflection, extensive consultations with stakeholders, and a profound desire to serve.
“Anambra is a land of limitless potential, blessed with some of the brightest minds, the most industrious entrepreneurs, and the most resilient people in Nigeria. But for too long, our great state has not lived up to its full promise.
“We have watched with concern as opportunities have been lost, governance has fallen short of expectations, and the pains and horror of insecurity have left our people living in the bondage of fear. Today, our people earnestly cry for real security and progress.
“I step forward because I believe Anambra deserves the best. I believe that, together, we can build a state that truly works for everyone; a state where governance is about service to the people and not to self; a state where opportunities are created, and where prosperity is shared by all.
“As I step forward, I make bold to say that this is not just about a campaign; rather, this is a movement to reclaim our state from stagnation and place it on the path of sustainable development. However, I cannot do it alone. I need your support, your ideas, your participation, and your prayers.
“Together, we can make Anambra a shining example of excellence and good governance. Together, we can re-write the story of Anambra state. Together, we can reclaim Anambra from insecurity and return it to its pre-eminent place in the history of our country.
“My vision on this movement is clear: ours is to build an Anambra that is prosperous, secure, and globally competitive; an Anambra that harnesses the potential of its people and resources to become the economic powerhouse of the Southeast. An Anambra that gives its children the freedom to develop and become what God has planned out for them.”
Hon Chukwuma Umeoji
Umeoji is another aspirant on the platform of APC. He was a former member of the House of Representatives, as well as chairman of Aguata LGA for many years.
He was a member of Edozie Njoku’s faction of APGA, until the recent ruling by the Supreme Court that threw away Njoku’s claim to the leadership of APGA. If Njoku had succeeded in being the national chairman of APGA, Umeoji would naturally have become the candidate of APGA for the November 8 governorship election in Anambra.
Coming from the same Aguata LGA as the incumbent Governor Soludo, the permutation within APC is that should he secure the ticket of the party, he would split the votes in Anambra South senatorial zone, while hoping to get bloc votes from Anambra Central and Noth.
Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu
Ukachukwu is from Osumenyi also in Anambra South. He was rumoured to be the favourite to secure the APGA ticket if Edozie Njoku had remained relevant. In fact, he was said to be the power behind Edozie Njoku financially and when that project failed, he moved to APC. His entry into APC has suddenly invigorated the party that was more or less moribund after the last governorship election.
During his recent visit to the state headquarters of APC, Ukachukwu donated N30 million to the state executive and N600,000 to the 21 local government chairmen, a development that has brought life into the party. He made that donation after another aspirant, Obiora Okonkwo, had earlier donated N20 million to the state executive and N300,000 to each of the local government chairman.
As these aspirants mobilize the delegates for the April 5 primaries of the party, the question being asked in the state is whether the ticket would go to the highest bidder.
Incidentally, the four APC aspirants are financially loaded and they appear to be prepared to outdo one another if the major determinant would be money.
However, there are other behind the scene factors that could play major role deciding the APC candidate for the election.
One of these is the influence of the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who it was gathered, is supporting a candidate from Anambra South against the desire of many stakeholders of the party.
Credit: Vanguard News Nigeria