Hon. Charles Anike, National President of the Eastern Union (EU) Predicts APGA Victory in Anambra

 

As the political temperature rises ahead of the Anambra State governorship election, Hon. Charles Anike, National President of the Eastern Union (EU), has voiced strong opinions on the unfolding dynamics, branding the opposition’s performance as dismal and warning of more dangerous electoral patterns in the buildup to 2027.

Speaking in a no-holds-barred interview, Anike declared that this year’s governorship contest in Anambra will lack the usual fierce competition due to the unpreparedness of opposition parties. He highlighted that the credibility and popularity of candidates remain the most critical factors in elections, and criticized opposition parties for failing to present viable contenders.

According to him, the Anambra electorate is unique in its voting behavior, favoring trusted voices over monetary inducement. He stressed that the people typically align their choices with the endorsements of their respected leaders, particularly those influenced by the Catholic Church. This, he believes, sets Anambra apart from other states where vote buying often dictates outcomes.

On the administration of Governor Charles Soludo, Anike was sharply critical. He asserted that the first three years of Soludo’s tenure were marred by insecurity and stagnation. He recalled how many Anambra indigenes, including those in the diaspora, shunned returning home for ceremonies due to escalating violence. “Even the governor fled to Abuja to host his daughter’s wedding,” he remarked, adding that Anambra became a shadow of itself during that period. However, he acknowledged that Soludo has recently regained public support following bold moves to address the security crisis, a shift Anike attributes to the forgiving nature of Nigerians.

Despite Soludo’s earlier failings, Anike maintained that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) still commands the loyalty of Anambra voters. He attributed this enduring allegiance not only to APGA’s historical presence but also to the symbolic connection with the late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu. For many, voting APGA is an act of honoring the legacy of the revered Igbo leader.

When asked about the chances of rival parties such as the APC, PDP, and Labour Party, Anike was dismissive. He argued that most opposition parties are riddled with internal flaws, such as flawed primaries and the imposition of unpopular candidates. He particularly called out the practice of giving party tickets to the highest bidder, warning that such moves alienate grassroots support. However, he acknowledged that the Labour Party could present a challenge due to the widespread respect for Peter Obi, its most prominent figure.

On a broader national scale, Anike did not mince words about the ongoing political realignments, particularly the recent movement of the PDP structure in Delta State to the APC. He likened the PDP to a crumbling edifice, brought down by its own members. For him, the defection of prominent figures like Senator Ifeanyi Okowa signifies nothing more than political desperation. He accused them of seeking refuge in the APC to escape accountability, describing them as "expired political liabilities" whose careers have reached their twilight.

Turning to President Bola Tinubu and the prospects for the 2027 general elections, Anike launched a scathing attack. He dismissed what he described as false endorsements and called out the administration's alleged reliance on coercion, such as threats from the EFCC, to force defections. He further accused Tinubu of deploying strategic gimmicks to disguise a broader rigging agenda, referencing the 2023 elections where, according to him, INEC and the judiciary played central roles in manipulating the outcome.

He expressed grave doubts about the ability of any alliance to effectively challenge the APC without addressing the systemic flaws in the electoral process. For Anike, electoral reforms — not mere coalitions — are key to ensuring credible elections. He emphasized that the National Assembly, currently filled with APC loyalists, lacks the moral authority to drive such changes.

His criticism of the PDP was equally blunt. Anike described the party as a failed project, asserting that its internal sabotage and the continued presence of individuals like Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, Nyesom Wike, and Dino Melaye make any form of revival impossible. He claimed that many supposed members of opposition parties are, in fact, APC agents, undermining their host platforms from within.

Addressing the idea of alliances forming to unseat the APC in 2027, Anike reiterated that such efforts are futile without first closing the electoral loopholes that compromised the 2023 elections. For him, unless INEC is reformed and truly independent, no opposition force can overcome the ruling party's grip on power.

Reacting to the recent downgrade of Nigeria’s economic outlook by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Anike said the development was expected. He accused both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations of economic mismanagement, claiming they relied heavily on borrowing for consumption rather than investment. In his view, the country is reaping the consequences of leadership that lacks vision and is driven by self-interest.

He painted a dire picture of the state of governance in Nigeria, lamenting the moral decay in institutions like the judiciary and the National Assembly. He said the APC has “polluted” these bodies, leaving citizens disillusioned and angry.

Anike ended with a plea for divine intervention, stating that only God could rescue Nigerians from what he called the “burden and yoke” of the Tinubu administration.