Who wins race for Anambra Government House?
Anambra
The November 8 governorship contest in Anambra State can be described as a three-horse race involving the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP). Nevertheless, the APGA and the APC appear to be the frontrunners, Southeast Bureau Chief NWANOSIKE ONU reports.
With the emergence of flag bearers for the various political parties contesting the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, particularly the three major ones, the stage is set for what is expected to be a fierce campaign for the Agu-Awka Government House, the seat of power.
They are the Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress (APC); and Dr George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP).
The three emerged at party primaries in different locations in Awka, the Anambra State capital, two weeks ago. The former ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), does not appear to be in serious contention for the position. The sole aspirant for its ticket, Jude Ezenwafo, only got the party’s nod three days after the APGA, the APC, and the LP elected their flag bearers. The LP complicated its case by organising parallel primaries in the state.
Most fringe parties are still weighing their options. This year’s party primaries were characterized by withdrawals and resignations in protest over one issue or the other.
Though the contest can be described as a three-horse race, all eyes will be on the APGA and the APC flag bearers. Soludo of the APGA is the incumbent governor and is expected to do everything humanly possible to retain his crown. He is talking tough. In the meantime, many observers believe he is on the right track, based on his achievements within three years.
The challenge he faced before now was the insecurity the opposition used to castigate his administration. However, he is gradually getting it right, among other good developmental strides. He is, indeed, pushing his luck.
Interestingly, the three parties chose their candidates from the Anambra South Senatorial District. This suggests that the zoning arrangement, which was introduced by the former governor Peter Obi, has come to stay. Today, almost every political party has keyed in to it. Anambra Central took the first shot in the rotation arrangement (Obi), followed by Anambra North under Chief Willie Obiano. It would come to where it began after incumbent Soludo from Anambra South. After him, power is expected to return to Anambra Central, where its rotation began.
Nevertheless, it would not be easy for Soludo to secure a second term; because he has stepped on some powerful toes. Though a Catholic himself, the governor has offended the Catholic Church leadership. He has also yet to resolve his differences with traditional rulers in the state.
Besides, Soludo is perceived as arrogant by many of his subjects, or “Mr Know all”. This is primarily because he does not listen to advice. In addition, his association with the powers that be may make it difficult for him not to return.
The Soludo administration has reduced insecurity by introducing Agunechemba, a security outfit. The governor has also been hailed for trying to rid the state of touts roaming the streets and making the roads safe again. However, his unleashing of Ndi Aka Odo (pestle carriers) as task collectors has brought untold pains to the masses.
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The pestle carriers have been tasked with enforcing the payment of revenues due to the government. But their modus operandi has brought untold hardship to residents.
They destroy able-bodied men’s legs, hands and render them useless, especially opponents of the ruling APGA. The party has been in power in Anambra State since 2006, and the people are yearning for change.
Soludo, who had contested for the governorship in 2010, promised the masses Dubai-Taiwan then. Today, that promise appears to be coming to fruition, as the gigantic Government House project abandoned for the past 30 years and the Awka Fun-City project has shown that with resources, nothing is impossible in government.
Under Soludo’s leadership, Anambra state is progressing in several areas, including road construction, youth empowerment, cleaner cities, landmark projects, environmental sustainability, and budgetary excellence.
Another success story for the administration is the turning of Okpoko slum into a habitable environment and the building modern general hospital for the people, among other projects. The dualization of Amawbia to Ekwulobia-Uga Road and other roads is perceived as a good development.
However, the governor has incurred the wrath of residents despite doing some good works around the state. For instance, he failed to tame his army of bloodletting Ndi Aka-Odo.
The APGA faithful, however, believe the governor is the best thing that has happened to Anambra.
The PDP is almost dead and buried in the state, and the APC has taken over as the main opposition party.
The LP’s momentum waned after it failed to win the 2023 presidential election. However, the noise of members of the Obidients Movement continues on social media. So, the governorship election will be a battle between two political parties: the APGA and the APC.
Overall, Soludo has not done badly, but the atrocities in his government far outweigh its good works. The governor does not want to be corrected in areas where his administration is not doing well. Such an attitude may be his nemesis in the forthcoming November 8 election.
Soludo, however, believes it will be an easy ride securing his second term. He said: “I’ve not seen anyone contesting against me. The APGA is a movement, and it will continue that way. The APC is not on the ground in Anambra.”
All the support groups for APGA, numbering about 60, came together to rally support for the governor just before the party’s primary.
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On the day of the primary at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, where he was affirmed the candidate, Soludo shocked everyone by sticking with his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, contrary to earlier speculations that he would be dropped. Threats from the Anglican Church, headed by the elder brother to the deputy governor, may have worked the magic.
In his acceptance speech, Soludo paid homage to the founding spirit of the APGA, describing it as the first registered progressive party in the country, dating back to 2002. He said: “Anambra is APGA, and APGA is Anambra. It is only together that Anambra can do better; we have only scratched the surface.
“I will not let Ndi APGA and Ndi Anambra down. I cannot and will not take this trust for granted. We are going to win the election, not just the election but every ward and polling unit; my vision is to build a future in which no one is left behind.”
The issue with opposition parties after primaries has been disunity. It will be another free license for the APGA to continue in power. It has always been like that in past elections. It happened to Senator Tony Nwoye on the ticket of the APC in 2017; in 2021 when Valentine Ozigbo flew the PDP flag; and in 2009 when Soludo represented the same party.
After every governorship primary, the unsuccessful aspirants would move to some of the mushroom parties to spoil the fun for the candidate that defeated them instead of joining hands to support the party to win the election.
A day before the APC primary, it happened again as one of the leading contenders, Sir Paul Chukwuma, withdrew and quit the party. Chukwuma, one of the party’s financiers, was not the only one; another major player, Prof Obiora Okonkwo and Chukwuma Umeoji withdrew from the race.
Okonkwo and Chukwuma have reiterated that they will continue to support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. These people who feel they have made all the money on earth have a way of carrying themselves. They all have attitude problems, which amounts to, “if it’s not me, it won’t be any other person”.
However, many observers believe Soludo has done well so far and deserves a second chance. But it has been the style of every government in power across the line.
Meanwhile, political watchers believe that the APGA has overstayed its welcome in Anambra; it has led the state for 18 years.
How prepared is Soludo of the APGA against the APC’s come November 8? Is he ready for Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, George Moghalu or whoever INEC eventually recognizes as the LP candidate?
Soludo, a professor of Economics, was once the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Today, he’s also the Anambra State governor. Most APGA members believe he deserves a second term, having done well since he was sworn in on March 17, 2022.
He had contested for the position in 2010 on the platform of the PDP and failed.
For now, he does not have everything going for him. He has to mend fences with some powers that be in the state, especially the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe and the Catholic Church.
Prince Nichola Ukachukwu is a highly successful business tycoon and one of the top politicians in Anambra State. Ukachukwu knows how and when to get anything he desires.
However, his tendency to distance himself from people may work against him. Anyone who wants to see him must go through those very close to him.
The fact that he is not a member of the two dominant churches in Anambra State, the Catholic and the Anglican – he is a Pentecostal – would be a big minus to his ambition.
The APC candidate must romance the two churches to stand a chance. However, one thing he has going for his bid to govern the state is the federal might.
The former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Inland Water Ways Agency (NIWA) is an orator; many people call him a motivational speaker.
Moghalu was once the Anambra State chairman of the All Peoples Party (APP) before it metamorphosed into the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). He had contested for the same position as far back as 2003.
He is loved by many, but the party’s influence has waned after the 2023 presidential election. The crisis within the party is another major problem he has to contend with to make any headway during the election.
Though the LP candidate is familiar with such battles, he and Ukachukwu have a big mountain to climb in Soludo.
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Anambra Government House
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