APC Governorship Candidate Ukachukwu Tackles Allegations, Condemns Soludo And Promises Industrial Revival For Anambra State

 

The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Anambra State, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, has responded to allegations of indebtedness while unveiling a vision he claims will reposition the state on the path of growth and prosperity.

A viral video circulated last week by aides of Governor Chukwuma Soludo suggested that Ukachukwu was owing a business associate the sum of one billion naira. The matter escalated further when the businessman reportedly confronted the candidate in a hotel in Abuja, raising questions over Ukachukwu’s financial integrity.

Ukachukwu used the inauguration of the APC governorship campaign council in Awka on Tuesday as a platform to clear his name. He accused Soludo and his allies of orchestrating a distraction aimed at diverting attention from what he described as the governor’s poor performance. According to him, the debt narrative was fabricated to weaken the momentum of his candidacy.

The candidate was emphatic in his denial, stressing that his personal worth far exceeds the disputed amount. “I am worth billions and cannot owe one billion. Those who claim otherwise have nothing meaningful to tell the people. Their only goal is to shift focus away from the money being stolen in our state,” he said before a crowd of party faithful.

He added that the obsession with himself and his deputy was proof of their viability as candidates. “If they are not talking about us, then we are not making impact. But they know we are their greatest challenge, which is why we remain the topic of their daily discussions,” he declared.

Ukachukwu also sought to position himself as a credible manager of wealth, contrasting his record with what he described as financial mismanagement in Anambra. He argued that leaders without personal wealth often succumb to the temptation of embezzlement once entrusted with public funds. “People who cannot sit among billionaires will always mismanage billions when given the chance. That is the problem facing Anambra today,” he charged.

Attention then shifted from rebutting allegations to laying out policy directions for the state. Ukachukwu highlighted industrial development, job creation, and education as central themes of his campaign. He noted that Anambra has consistently ranked low in nationwide assessments of governance, education, and economic performance, citing reports from Philips Consulting that placed the state at number thirty-three in several indicators.

His blueprint centers on turning Anambra into a competitive industrial hub. He identified agriculture, small scale manufacturing, and trade as vital sectors that require renewed government support. According to him, creating the right environment for investment through affordable energy, reliable electricity supply, and efficient labor markets will stimulate growth. “We already have the human capital. What we lack is a conducive environment. Our priority is to provide that environment so business can thrive once again,” he explained.

Ukachukwu urged party supporters not to rely on faith alone but to combine faith with action. “Government House is possible, but faith without work is useless. We must all contribute to this movement if we want change,” he reminded his audience.

Senator Uche Ekwunife, Ukachukwu’s running mate, echoed similar sentiments while delivering her remarks at the event. She called on party members to unite, stressing that the APC’s time to govern Anambra had come. She argued that aligning the state with the federal government would bring long overdue benefits. “Anambra has been in opposition for too long. This is the right moment to connect to the centre and our people will reap the rewards of belonging,” she declared.

The campaign council also formally introduced its leadership structure, with Mr. Dozie Ikedife Jnr. appointed as Director General of the organization. He is expected to coordinate the campaign’s strategic operations alongside other prominent figures of the APC in Anambra. Party chairman Mr. Basil Ejidike clarified that Tuesday’s gathering was limited to the state-level inauguration, while zonal, local government, and ward level councils would be launched subsequently.

Party supporters at the venue cheered enthusiastically as the candidate and his team spoke, with many expressing confidence that the APC could mount its strongest challenge yet in Anambra’s political arena. The state has long been dominated by other political parties, but Ukachukwu’s candidacy is now being projected as a potential game changer given his resources, networks, and assertive campaign message.

Observers note that the race for Government House is expected to intensify in the coming months. Ukachukwu’s strategy of combining rebuttals to personal attacks with ambitious policy promises may define how voters perceive him. His insistence on repositioning Anambra as an industrial and commercial powerhouse could resonate with residents eager for economic opportunities.

For now, the APC candidate is determined to shift the conversation away from allegations and toward what he believes truly matters: governance, development, and leadership capable of transforming the fortunes of Anambra State.