Battle for Anambra: APC, PDP, LP Gear Up to Challenge Soludo in Governorship Race

 

Political Showdown Looms as Anambra Gears Up for Governorship Primaries

With the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election fast approaching, the political landscape in the southeastern state is heating up. Over 11 aspirants across major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP), are battling for their party’s ticket in a bid to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

While APGA has already settled on Soludo as its flagbearer, the APC, PDP, and LP are preparing for their respective primaries this Saturday to select their candidates for the high-stakes electoral contest. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced in March that out of Nigeria’s 19 registered political parties, only 12 would participate in the Anambra election, with the APC, PDP, LP, and APGA being the most prominent contenders.

Despite earlier delays, party primaries—initially scheduled from March 20 to April 10—are now set to proceed in April. INEC has urged all participating parties to adhere to the new schedule to avoid unnecessary disruptions. “Sudden changes to the dates, venues, and modes of the primaries can lead to avoidable disruptions, increasing the cost of monitoring the election,” said Sam Olumekun, a National Commissioner of INEC, in an official statement.

Soludo’s Solo Run in APGA

For APGA, the decision to back Soludo for a second term was a straightforward one. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, emphasized that the governor had been granted an automatic ticket due to what he described as an “exceptional performance” in his first term. APGA, which pegged its nomination form at ₦30 million, saw no other aspirants step forward.

“In fact, the National Working Committee has given the governor an automatic ticket for his sterling performance in the first term, surpassing that of any other governors within the same term limit,” Opara stated. “Even members of the opposition are openly endorsing him for a second term.” The party plans to officially formalize Soludo’s candidacy in a nomination ceremony on April 5.

Fierce Contest in APC as Seven Aspirants Jostle for Ticket

In contrast, the APC is witnessing intense competition, with seven aspirants purchasing the party’s nomination form, each shelling out ₦50 million for a shot at the governorship. The contenders include Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Chukuma Umeoji, Paul Chukwuma, Onunkwo Johnbisco Obinna, Valentine Ozigbo, and Edozie Madu. The party is set to hold its primary election on April 5, and with multiple heavyweights in the mix, political analysts anticipate a closely fought battle.

Labour Party Banks on Unity Amid Two-Way Contest

The Labour Party, which has positioned itself as a formidable opposition force, has only two aspirants in the race: George Moghalu and John Nwosu. Both candidates successfully cleared the screening process last Friday.

James Udoh, the Deputy Publicity Secretary of the LP in Anambra, expressed optimism about a smooth primary process, urging all aspirants to support the eventual winner. “For us in the LP, we have only two aspirants, and we expect the primaries to be rancour-free. Our national chairman has made it clear that after the primary election, no one is permitted to be angry. We will all unite to face APGA in the main election in November,” he said.

Udoh further claimed that the LP had an edge over the ruling APGA, arguing that public dissatisfaction with the current government would play to their advantage. “The people have lost confidence in APGA. Security has collapsed, and thugs are used to enforce tax payments. If the government was doing the right thing, people would pay taxes willingly. The LP is here to rebuild trust and bring governance closer to the electorate.”

PDP Joins the Race at the Eleventh Hour

Initially, it appeared the PDP would not field a candidate, as no aspirants purchased the party’s nomination form. However, in a dramatic twist, two aspirants stepped forward on the final day of the deadline. Their identities remain undisclosed, but they have been cleared to contest in the party’s primary, scheduled for April 5. An appeal committee is set to meet on April 8 to address any disputes that may arise from the primaries.

Obumneme Nnoli, the Publicity Secretary of the Anambra PDP, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to challenge APGA’s dominance. “Each of our aspirants brings a unique mix of experience, political influence, and governance vision. We are ready to wrestle power from APGA,” he stated.

Nnoli dismissed the chances of both the APC and LP, asserting that the main contest would be between the PDP and APGA. “The Labour Party is in disarray, and the APC is not a party to be reckoned with in Anambra. When the chips are down, the real contenders will stand out from the pretenders,” he said.

A High-Stakes Election on the Horizon

As the primary elections approach, all eyes are on the key political players in Anambra. APGA is banking on Soludo’s record, the APC is navigating a crowded field, the LP is hoping to capitalize on public dissatisfaction, and the PDP is making a last-minute push for relevance. With each party confident of its chances, the battle lines for the November 8 election are being drawn, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense political showdown.