Political circles in Anambra State are abuzz with speculation following reports that former Governor of the state, Senator Chris Ngige, has allegedly withdrawn his support for the incumbent Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, and thrown his weight behind Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025 governorship election.
The development, which has sparked mixed reactions among political stakeholders and observers, comes as a surprise to many, considering Ngige’s history of publicly commending Governor Soludo at various events both in Abuja, within Anambra and elsewhere.
According to political sources, Ngige’s alleged decision to realign his support may not be unconnected with lingering tensions between him and the current APGA-led administration over the recognition of the traditional ruler of his hometown, Alor. The state government has continued to accord recognition to H.R.H. Igwe MacAnthony Okonkwo as the Traditional Ruler of Alor, in defiance of Ngige’s reported preference for H.R.H. Igwe Collins Ebelechukwu Chukwumesili. Sources have it that several behind-the-scenes efforts by Ngige to have the government shift its recognition to Igwe Chukwumesili are said to have met a brick wall.
Another source, however, claimed that the latest move may also be part of a political reconciliation bid between Ngige and the presidency. The source alleged that Ngige was advised that securing APC’s victory in the forthcoming election would be a key step towards mending fences at the federal level, between him and the presidency.
Adding to the speculation, reports have also pointed to Ngige’s recent public remarks as subtle indicators of his dissatisfaction with the current administration. In a recent interview, the former governor appeared to criticize sitting governors who celebrate commissioning of short road projects, and also spoke pointedly about his approach to tackling insecurity during his tenure — comments some see as indirect jabs at Governor Soludo.
However, when contacted by this reporter, a close ally of Ngige outrightly dismissed the swirling claims as baseless political gossip. The ally, who spoke on condition of anonymity, maintained that Ngige has never wavered in his loyalty to the APC and has remained a key figure in the party’s leadership both in Anambra State and across the Southeast.
“Senator Ngige has always been a staunch APC man. He has never defected, nor has he worked against the party’s interests. In fact, he continues to play a leading role in strengthening the APC’s structures and advancing its chances in elections,” the ally stated.
On the allegation that Ngige’s reported backing of Ukachukwu is an attempt to curry favour with the presidency, the ally dismissed the notion as “completely fallacious,” adding that the former governor’s political stature, having served as a state governor, senator, and two-time minister, makes it unnecessary for him to seek validation through such maneuvers.
These claims and counter claims notwithstanding, as the November 8 Anambra governorship election draws nearer, the reports, whether fact or speculation, have injected fresh intrigue into the state’s political landscape, with the alleged Ngige-Ukachukwu alignment likely to attract more reactions in the weeks ahead, especially with the circulation of Ukachukwu’s campaign posters with Ngige’s pictures which have currently flooded the social media space.
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