Money Talks Again: Ukachukwu Clinches APC Anambra Governorship Ticket Amid Viral Cash-Splash Video

 

In Anambra APC Primaries, Allegations of Money Politics Trail Ukachukwu’s Victory as Video Sparks Uproar

In a political climate often clouded by allegations of vote-buying and patronage, the Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries have once again reignited the debate on money politics in Nigeria. Nicholas Ukachukwu, a seasoned political heavyweight in Anambra and long-time political financier, emerged as the APC's flagbearer for the 2025 governorship election, winning by a landslide in a highly contested primary held on Saturday.

Ukachukwu secured 1,455 votes, overwhelmingly defeating his closest rival, Valentine Ozigbo, who managed to garner just 67 votes. While the result appeared decisive, it was not without controversy. Shortly after the primaries, a video surfaced online purportedly showing Ukachukwu distributing bundles of cash to delegates — a development that has raised serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the pervasive influence of money in Nigerian politics.

Though the APC has not officially commented on the authenticity or implications of the video, public reaction has been swift and divided. While supporters hail Ukachukwu's emergence as a political masterstroke, critics argue that it once again highlights the decay in Nigeria’s democratic process, where cash often trumps credibility.

Following his declaration as the winner of the primaries, Ukachukwu addressed party members and the media with a confident tone. “We shall deliver Anambra to the APC,” he said emphatically. “One thing I want to say here: nobody has won the governorship of Anambra without my support; it has never happened before. I have been playing godfatherism, but now I want to be the father of the father—no more godfather.”

His bold proclamation underscores not only his deep-rooted influence in Anambra politics but also a transition from behind-the-scenes kingmaker to a front-facing candidate. For years, Ukachukwu has operated in the shadows of Anambra’s political arena, bankrolling candidates and shaping electoral outcomes. Now, he seeks the governorship seat himself, promising to channel that influence toward development under the APC banner.

This development sets the stage for a heated electoral showdown come November 2025, when Anambra voters will go to the polls in the next major off-cycle governorship election in Nigeria. Ukachukwu is expected to face incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who has already clinched his party's ticket for re-election.

Soludo, a former Central Bank governor and reformist, has spent his first term focused on infrastructure development, education, and digital transformation in the state. His bid for continuity will now be challenged by a man who claims he has pulled strings behind every gubernatorial victory in the state.

Observers believe the battle will be fierce, with both candidates commanding substantial grassroots networks and financial muscle. But with money politics taking center stage so early in the game, many are questioning what this means for democratic integrity and the choices available to Anambra’s electorate.

Civil society groups have already called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the video and enforce campaign finance laws strictly in the lead-up to the polls.

As the November election draws nearer, Anambra seems poised for another stormy chapter in its political history—where influence, ambition, and allegations of impropriety will likely play out on a grand stage.

Whether Nicholas Ukachukwu’s bold gamble will pay off or backfire in the face of mounting scrutiny remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the battle for Anambra has only just begun.