The November 8 governorship election in Anambra State may be more competitive than expected.
On Sunday, the bustling commercial hub of the South East, Onitsha, was brought to a standstill as a massive and enthusiastic crowd of supporters, well-wishers, and party faithful thronged the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity to celebrate a special Thanksgiving Mass.
The occasion was organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the upcoming November 8 Anambra State election, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, in gratitude for their recent victory in the party’s gubernatorial primary.
This development has potentially shifted the narrative, as Anambra was previously described as the home of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the ruling party in the state.
The Thanksgiving service marked a formal appreciation to God for what the APC candidates described as a peaceful, transparent, and successful primary process, culminating in the presentation of the party’s flag by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Attended by an impressive array of APC stalwarts, party officials, and prominent church figures, the event underscored the growing momentum behind the Ukachukwu-Ekwunife ticket.
Archbishop Valerian Maduka Okeke, Metropolitan of the Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, officiated the ceremony.
In his sermon, he emphasized spiritual rebirth and ethical leadership, drawing from Genesis 3:25.
He reminded the congregation that the “tree of life,” once denied to humanity through the fall of Adam and Eve, has been restored through Christ’s redemptive sacrifice.
“We came here to acknowledge God’s hand in our journey so far,” Prince Ukachukwu said in a brief interview with journalists after the mass. “
The successful conduct of the APC primary is a strong indication to the strength of our internal democracy. Now we pray for a peaceful campaign and call on all political actors to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship.”
Ukachukwu reiterated his commitment to transformational leadership, vowing to position Anambra as a benchmark for responsive governance and sustainable development.
“One of our foremost objectives is to reconnect Anambra to the centre of national decision-making. This alignment is crucial for accessing the full benefits of federal initiatives and investments,” he noted.
The Thanksgiving Mass ended with a symbolic group photograph of Prince Ukachukwu, Senator Ekwunife, Archbishop Okeke, and other senior clerics, capturing a moment that signified not just gratitude but also unity of purpose between the political and spiritual leadership in Anambra.
As the state prepares for what promises to be a fiercely contested gubernatorial race, Sunday’s gathering in Onitsha may well signal a defining moment in the APC’s bid to make inroads in a region long dominated by opposition parties.
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