Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has directed six senatorial aspirants of the party to go into a private conclave and elect a consensus candidate among themselves ahead of the upcoming primary election.
Investigations reveal that the governor issued the directive in an effort to curtail excessive spending by aspirants lobbying for votes ahead of the scheduled August 16 primary election. According to sources close to the party, the move is also aimed at promoting internal harmony and preventing post-primary litigation that often follows heavily contested nominations.
Governor Soludo reportedly offered three options for selecting the party’s senatorial candidate in Anambra South. The first is for the six aspirants to reach a consensus and nominate one of their own as the flag bearer. The second option allows the governor to step in and select a candidate from among the aspirants if they fail to agree. The final alternative is to proceed with a full primary election.
However, the directive has triggered anxiety and widespread dissatisfaction within the party. Critics argue that the options outlined by the governor are undemocratic and run contrary to the progressive values APGA claims to uphold. They contend that power should ultimately lie with party members and delegates, not a handful of aspirants or the governor.
The APGA aspirants are Ebuka Onunkwo,Pascal Agbodike, Patrick Ubajiaka, Chris Azubogu, Emma Nwachukwu and Akai Egwuonwu.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area, which had in attendance party leaders, political appointees, ward executives, and other stakeholders, Governor Soludo reiterated his stance.
“Some individuals are preparing for a financial showdown in the primaries, and I must say that is not acceptable. I encourage the six aspirants to meet privately and nominate one person to represent APGA in this senatorial race,”
“If they cannot agree, then they should empower me to choose a candidate among them. Otherwise, we will go ahead with a primary election. But let it be known whoever emerges as the candidate, through any of the processes, must be accepted by all. Anyone who cannot accept this process is free to leave the party and meet us on election day. APGA will win this bye-election.”he said.
In response, the State Chairman of APGA, Barr. Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, described the governor’s position not as a command, but as advisory.
“Yes, what the governor is suggesting is essentially advice to help the party avoid logistical challenges that come with conducting a primary election,” Obi-Okoye stated.
However, he assured that should the process proceed to a primary, APGA is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair, and transparent election.
“If the conclave fails and we end up holding a primary, we will ensure internal democracy by guaranteeing a level playing field. Every aspirant will be given equal opportunity to participate, and the process will be credible,” he added.
Despite the governor’s directive and party leadership’s assurances, there is growing skepticism that the six aspirants will be able to reach a consensus. Many insist on contesting the primary and are unwilling to step down for one another.
A local government party chairman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated bluntly: “It’s not going to work. None of the six aspirants is willing to step down for the other. They all want to test their popularity at the primaries and that’s the beauty of democracy.”
However, he expressed concern that if consensus fails and Governor Soludo unilaterally picks a candidate, those who oppose the decision may face sanctions from the party.
“The governor may eventually pick one of them, and those who protest could face the wrath of the party,” he said.
As the August 16 date draws near, APGA in Anambra South finds itself at a crossroads torn between pragmatism and democratic process, consensus and competition, unity and division. The outcome of this internal wrangling may not only determine the party’s senatorial candidate but also signal the strength of Governor Soludo’s influence within APGA as it prepares for the bye-election.
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