With just months to go before the November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State, the political scene is heating up, with significant battles brewing between the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and opposition parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP).
However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) could be facing a crisis, with no aspirants reportedly stepping forward to contest under its banner.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set the primaries for March 20 to April 10, 2025, ahead of the election. As of now, 12 out of 19 registered parties have submitted their schedules, with INEC emphasising the need for timely submissions to ensure transparent candidate selection.
The battle for the governorship seat is expected to be a three-way race between APGA, APC, and LP. Despite a relatively quiet period leading to the primaries, LP, which had enjoyed a surge in popularity in 2023, may struggle due to internal disorganisation and defections, particularly that of former ally Val Ozigbo, now in the APC.
The APC, meanwhile, has cleared seven aspirants, including prominent figures like Chukuma Umeoji, Obiora Okonkwo, and Nicholas Ukachukwu, with the primary election scheduled for April 5.
At the same time, APGA appears confident, with incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who is seeking re-election, standing as the sole candidate for the party’s ticket.
His position is virtually uncontested, and political observers predict his dominance will continue, given the lack of viable opposition. Soludo’s supporters point to his security initiatives, such as the formation of the ‘Operation Udo-ga-chi’ and ‘Agunechemba’ to tackle rising insecurity, as a key achievement in his administration.
In contrast, the PDP’s prospects seem dim, with reports that no one has purchased the party’s N40 million nomination form. Chief Onyeka Ike, a PDP stakeholder, expressed concerns that the party’s once-stronghold in the state is now in disarray, with many former candidates and key members defecting to other parties.
As primaries approach, all eyes are on the outcome of the APC and LP contests, which could determine the main challengers to Soludo’s rule.
While Soludo’s critics, such as LP aspirant John Nwosu, argue that his administration has failed to address security and infrastructure issues, the incumbent’s supporters maintain that APGA remains the party to beat.
INEC’s Anambra Resident Commissioner, Dr Elizabeth Agwu, has reassured voters that the commission is impartial and will ensure a fair process in the run-up to November’s election.
However, with tensions mounting and party divisions deepening, Anambra’s political landscape promises to remain volatile in the coming months.
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