Race to Agu Awka: Soludo Coasts Through, APC’s Ukachukwu Emerges After Fierce Battle, Moghalu Flags LP Amid Storms

 

Gubernatorial Race Gains Steam as Key Contenders Emerge in Anambra

The political tempo in Anambra State surged over the weekend as three major political parties—All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party (LP)—successfully concluded their primary elections ahead of the much-anticipated November 8, 2025 governorship poll.

The primaries, held at different venues across the state capital, Awka, confirmed the candidacies of incumbent Governor Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo (APGA), Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), and Chief George Moghalu (LP). Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), another major stakeholder in Anambra politics, has pushed its primary election to April 8, citing internal logistical considerations.

Soludo Returns Unopposed in APGA’s Quiet Coronation

At the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, a familiar face was confirmed to fly the flag of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Governor Charles Soludo was returned unopposed in a largely ceremonial but constitutionally significant primary, which also confirmed Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim as his running mate, maintaining the party’s ticket duo.

Announcing the results, the Chief Returning Officer, Uche Nwegbo, revealed that out of 3,260 registered delegates, 3,175 were accredited. A total of 3,172 votes were cast, with 3,168 going to the governor. Four votes were declared invalid, while not a single delegate voted against the incumbent.

“In line with the INEC guidelines and the powers vested in me,” Nwegbo stated, “I hereby declare Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo as duly nominated and returned as the APGA candidate for the 2025 Anambra State governorship election.”

Zoning Politics Shape APC Outcome as Ukachukwu Emerges

While APGA’s primary was uneventful, the APC’s internal contest was a stormy affair until the eleventh hour, eventually leading to a consensus-style outcome influenced by the zoning convention that has shaped Anambra’s political landscape in recent years.

Despite the party opening its ticket to aspirants from all three senatorial districts, the race was effectively narrowed down to aspirants from Anambra South, as all contenders from other zones withdrew a day before the vote. This mass withdrawal was widely believed to be orchestrated by the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC), in deference to the unwritten zoning agreement believed to favor the South.

Among the notable aspirants who had earlier picked nomination forms at a hefty N50 million were Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, Valentine Ozigbo, Chuma Umeoji, and John Bosco Onukwo—all of whom later stepped aside, clearing the path for Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu.

Senator Bassey Otu, Cross River State governor and chairman of the APC primary election committee, declared Ukachukwu the winner with 1,455 votes. His closest rival, Valentine Ozigbo, garnered only 67 votes, followed by Johnbosco Onunkwo with 26 and Edozie Madu with eight. The poll, however, did not pass without controversy, as allegations of violence and irregularities marred parts of the process.

Labour Party Endorses Moghalu Amidst Internal Crisis

Elsewhere, the Labour Party weathered its own storm of internal rifts to produce a candidate for the election. Chief George Moghalu, once a high-ranking member of the APC, secured the LP ticket unopposed. His candidacy, though undisputed within the party's state chapter, comes at a time when the LP is grappling with internal leadership struggles that threaten cohesion ahead of the general election.

Despite these challenges, party delegates rallied behind Moghalu, reflecting a strategic recalibration aimed at capturing political capital from the party’s growing national popularity.

All Eyes on PDP’s April 8 Primary

With three major candidates already in the ring, attention now shifts to the Peoples Democratic Party, which has postponed its primary to April 8. The outcome will be crucial in shaping the dynamics of what is already shaping up to be a highly competitive governorship race in the state.

The PDP’s state chairman, Chidi Chidebe, confirmed the rescheduling over the weekend, noting that the party remains committed to a transparent and inclusive selection process.

As the stage gradually sets for the November showdown, Anambra’s political narrative continues to evolve, driven by a mixture of strategic withdrawals, established incumbency, and fresh realignments—all pointing to a fiercely contested election ahead.