Three Aspirants Quit As Confusion, Uncertainty Trails APC Guber Primaries In Anambra
Three Aspirants have thrown in the towel as confusion and uncertainty trailed the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Reports indicated that the exercise was tainted by delays and allegations of irregularities even as accreditation of delegates for the primary election was still ongoing as at 7 pm.
In the process, three prominent aspirants, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Chief Chukwuma Umeoji, and Sir Paul Chukwuma, announced their withdrawal from the exercise initially scheduled to flag off at 9 am.
According party insiders, the threesome cited lack of integrity, transparency, and openness in the process while Sir Chukwuma followed up his withdrawal from the race by resigning his membership from the APC
However, among those still in contention for the APC governorship ticket are Senator Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Hon Edozie Madu, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, and Engineer Johnbosco Onunkwo. Interestingly, they are all from the same Anambra South senatorial zone as the incumbent Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo
It was gathered that the aspirants were aggrieved that Party’s officials allegedly assisted their favoured aspirants to house many of those picked as APC delegates in various hotels across Awka, without the so-called delegate list being made public.
It was noticed that at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre which was designated as the venue for the primary, a large crowd could be seen lingering around the vicinity with no actual voting activity taking place as of 6:30 pm.
Sources alleged that the accreditation of delegates was being handled secretly at undisclosed hotels, away from public scrutiny, a development which raised further questions about the credibility and transparency of the primary poll.
Reports also indicated that there were violent scene as thugs allegedly recruited by one of the aspirants stormed the venue with dangerous weapons and inflicted injuries on some delegates and Party officials in a bid to hijack the exercise, the presence of security operatives notwithstanding.
Amid the confusion and anxiety that have further heightened tension within the APC State chapter, many stakeholders are demanding that the National Secretariat should step in to make the primary transparent through a fair resolution of all grievances and complaints by aspirants in order to boost the Party’s chances at the polls come Saturday 8th November 2025.
Meanwhile, the withdrawal letter submitted by one of the aspirants, Professor Obiora Okonkwo stated his reasons thus; “After a careful evaluation and reflection on the current state of the APC primary election process in Anambra State, I have decided to withdraw my aspiration for the party’s governorship ticket.
“This decision was a difficult but necessary one due to certain developments that are inconsistent with my principles and values. The project is not worth risking the lives of my supporters, among other reasons.”
But while reaffirming his continued commitment to public service and support for President Bola Tinubu’s development agenda, he further said; “I will continue contributing to the socio-economic and political development of Anambra State and Nigeria, and I appreciate the trust and support of my political associates, supporters, and stakeholders in the APC and beyond.”
