Primaries: Soludo wins APGA nomination, retains Ibezim as deputy

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By Madu Obi

The governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has won the nomination as the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 8, 2025 governorship election.

At the primary election held at the Alex Ekwueme Square, in Awka, Soludo, who was the sole contestant, won majority of the votes cast.

Announcing the results, the returning officer for the election, Hon Uche Nwegbo said there were 3,260, delegates and 3,175 accredited delegates, out of which Soludo secured 3,168 votes, while four votes were invalid.

Nwegbo said that in line with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, guidelines, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo was returned as the candidate of APGA.

In his acceptance speech, Soludo assured that he will continue to work hard so as not to fail members of the party and the people of Anambra State.

He said: “We, as a party have grown from strength to strength. We are the first registered progressive party in Nigeria and our people have taken APGA as their own.

Anambra is APGA and APGA is Anambra. I want to say that I am humbled by this historic display of solidarity to be able to carry the flag of our party again, and I want to say that I accept this nomination wholeheartedly.

Anambra keeps rising with the progressive leadership that we have had through APGA, and I will continue to appreciate the leadership of the party.

I appreciate the members of our party and the INEC observers. I do not think that we have ever had this kind of peaceful election where everything was orderly and in one hour all delegates were able to cast their votes.

In 2021, Anambra interviewed all the candidates and employed me, and all through the journey, three years down the line, you have been able to give us support.

That is why we have been able to do what we do, which people say is magical. We are doing this without borrowing one Naira and I know we will continue us to do even more and we continue to ask for your prayers.

We are only at the introductory stage, Anambra has not seen anything yet. I appreciate citizens, captains of industry who have been supporting us and we will keep growing higher and higher.

“I appreciate the support groups, especially all that endorsed us for a second term. They are still coming up with more donations to the campaigns, and I thank those market women who are still eager to donate to our campaign."

According to the governor, many political parties have declared support for his administration, adding that "never in the history of Anambra State had we ever had a consensus like what we have today."

He added: “When I took oath of office, I promised not to let Anambra down, not to let my supporters down, not to let my family down, and not to let APGA down. We are working 247 to ensure that.

Many people have said we do not have any opposition, but I say that we will not only win all the 21 local government, but the 326 wards. Someone said we should even aim for all the polling units in the state. We want to make a statement.”

The governor also announced his running mate for the November 8 election, choosing his deputy for the race.

“In 2017, I gave a lecture which I titled, ‘If it is not broken, why mend it’, and it became popular. Today, I want to say that, I am re-nominating Dr Onyeka Ibezim as my deputy governorship candidate for the election. If it is not broken, why mend it. I want to say that the battle has only began.”