By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
Aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), have intensified consultations and grassroots canvassing three days to the party’s primary election. About a month ago, the party leadership set modalities for the primaries, but many aspirants were skeptical as they felt the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who is the National Leader of the party, might later prevail on aspirants from going to the field to test their popularity through handpicking his preferred candidates. However, the Governor maintained his stand that aspirants should go to the field and test their popularity. During the meeting with the Governor on Monday, he still insisted that where aspirants fail to reach a consensus, they should head to the ballot in a free and fair test of popularity among party faithful. Therefore, on Saturday, APGA hopes to produce candidates through the direct primary process for all elective positions across all thirty state constituencies, eleven federal constituencies, and three Senatorial districts in Anambra State.
In the Anambra South senatorial zone, Chief Akai Egwuonwu, a reputable businessman, is putting up a fierce challenge against Senator Emma Nwachukwu. Both are from Nnewi South LGA and appear as the major contenders. There are other contestants, including Hon. Ifeanyi Momah, a former member of the House of Representatives from Ihiala LGA, and Mr. Patrick Ubajaka, former local government chairman from Nnewi North LGA. However, the contest is fast shaping up as a race between Akai Egwuonwu and Emma Nwachukwu, who was returned last August to fill the vacancy created by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s demise.
Given the nature of the direct primary system in which all registered members of the party are expected to vote for their preferred aspirants at their wards, the contest comes down to a true popularity contest or at least a contest of who can control a significant number of party faithful across. As a sitting senator, Emma Nwachukwu cannot be discountenanced, at least, in the last month; he has been distributing rice to party members. However, his popularity in APGA across the board is seriously in question. In contrast, Akai Egwuonwu, over the years, has built a name with brands like Anambra Rice, Zara Stores, and many others. He has also been involved in several party campaigns over the years. In Orumba North, Orumba South, and Aguata, Chief Egwuonwu is a well-known quantity because of longstanding family, business, and political ties. His visit on Tuesday to the old Aguata bloc confirms his level of acceptance in the area. Chief Ebuka Onunkwo’s exit from APGA is an added advantage to Chief Akai, who is clearly the only aspirant who is positioned for a competent contest against the incumbent, Senator Nwachukwu. On Saturday, the people will decide.
For Anambra North, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu is making a serious case and running against former senator, Stella Oduah, to pick the APGA ticket. Senator Oduah only rejoined APGA a few months ago. However, Mr. Primus Odili, Chief of Staff to former Governor Willie Obiano, and Dr. Chinedu Emeka, former Deputy Governor, are also in the race. So far, Dr. Obiogbolu is leveraging his four years of dedicated service to the party as Governor Soludo’s Political Adviser. He has been positioned as the major contender through massive engagements and name recognition, which is similarly enjoyed by Senator Stella Oduah. This contest in Anambra North is clearly between Oduah, relying on her deep pockets and political networks, and Obiogbolu, whose political competence and current standing in APGA put him forward as the candidate of now for APGA.
In Anambra Central, there is no opposition to Hon. Dozie Nwankwo clinging to the party’s ticket for the Senate. In a general sense, Anambra Central is currently APGA’s weakest link in the 2027 General Elections. It is not easily clear why this is so. However, only the Idemili North and South Federal Constituency look obviously robust.
As APGA politicians square up this Saturday for the party ticket for various elective positions, if the process goes as planned, this would be the first time APGA would be fielding candidates in an election without any rancorous accusations of wild extortions and imposition by the party leadership.
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