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Anambra State has in the last few days witnessed the emergence of gubernatorial candidates from their various parties ahead of the State’s governorship polls on November 8.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had set April 10 as the deadline for all political parties to conduct their governorship primaries ahead of the election.
Whatever needs to be known concerning the candidates who have emerged, are out here.
Chioma Ifemeludike got elected as the candidate for the AAC at the party’s primary election on Tuesday.
She was unanimously elected through a voice vote by members of the congress.
In her acceptance speech, Ifemeludike promised not to disappoint the trust bestowed on her by party supporters, saying the party would ensure that the people of Anambra State, particularly women, children, and youths were empowered to become better citizens.
Oshiokhe Ikpeminoghena, the election committee chairman, said it was the party’s constitutional responsibility to field a candidate for the election, adding that Ifemeludike fulfilled every necessary step that qualified her to run for the Anambra State governorship election.
Charles Onyeze emerged as the Accord Party (AP) governorship candidate at the primary election held on Tuesday, being declared the winner unopposed during the excercise held at the East End Hotel, Aroma, Awka, the State capital.
The conduct of the election was witnessed by thousands of party chieftains, members, INEC, security, and the media.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the exercise, Onyeze said he was contesting the election to address the current challenges of unemployment, insecurity, and a poor educational system in Anambra State.
Said he: “I’d like us to work as a family. Our interest is for Anambra to be better because what we’re seeing today is not good. What we’ll need to defeat the ruling party is not a problem. We have what it takes.
“My administration will ensure that no local government or community is overlooked in our developmental efforts”.
Nicholas Ukachukwu, a former member of the house of representatives, secured the APC gubernatorial ticket for the Anambra State governorship election.
Ukachukwu clinched the ticket at the party’s primary election on Saturday, defeating his closest rival, Valentine Ozigbo, and other contenders by a landslide.
He polled 1,455 votes, while Ozigbo secured 67 votes. Edozie Madu and Johnbosco Onunkwo got 8 and 26 votes, respectively.
Speaking after his victory, Ukachukwu pledged to deliver the State to the APC.
Vowed he: “We shall deliver Anambra to the APC. One thing I want to say here — nobody has won the governorship of Anambra without my support; it has never happened before.
“I have been playing godfatherism, but now I want to be the father of the father; no more godfather”.
Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra State governor, was nominated as the APGA candidate for the upcoming governorship election.
Soludo, who was returned unopposed, secured over 3,000 votes in the primary held on Saturday at the Ekwueme Square, Awka.
Voting took place across the 21 LGAs of the State, where delegates were asked to cast a simple “yes” or “no” vote.
Soludo accepted the nomination, assuring party members of continued development in the State.
Said he: “I want to say that I am humbled by this historic display of solidarity to be able to raise 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”.
George Moghalu emerged as the LP’s candidate for the upcoming Anambra State governorship election after the party’s primary election was held on Saturday in Awka.
Moghalu, a former Managing-Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), secured 575 votes to defeat John Nwosu, his only opponent, who garnered 19 votes.
Out of 649 delegates listed, 601 were accredited, with 592 valid votes recorded and five votes declared invalid.
However, Nwosu withdrew from the race a day earlier, citing several “irregularities” for his decision.
Said he in a statement: “There was no delegates congress of the party held in any of the 21 Local Government Areas of the State to elect the delegates to vote at the primary election, and a list of delegates eventually emerged and was pasted at the State headquarters of the party in Awka, just about eight hours to the D-Day, Saturday, April 5, 2025″.
In his acceptance speech, Moghalu said unity among party stakeholders would be crucial to securing victory at the polls.
Stated he: “I am ready for the challenge ahead. With my experience in public service and politics, I am confident in my capacity to defeat the incumbent, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of APGA.
“We must now get to work on selling the LP agenda to the people of Anambra. Our goal is to reach every nook and cranny of the State with our message.
“Anambra is a blessed State with abundant human and natural resources. All that is required is visionary leadership to harness these potentials for the benefit of our people”.
Jude Ezenwafor, the sole aspirant, secured the PDP’s ticket for the Anambra State governorship election.
The PDP governorship primary was held on Tuesday at the Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, the State capital.
Chijioke Onwubuya, chairman of the PDP Anambra State governorship election congress committee, announced Ezenwafor as the party’s flagbearer at the end of the exercise.
Onwubuya said Ezenwafor secured 798 ‘yes’ votes with 26 invalid votes, noting that 853 delegates were accredited out of the 999 on the list for the congress.
Speaking after his victory, Ezenwafor said the PDP was on a rescue mission in Anambra State, urging voters to support the party’s bid to reclaim leadership in the State.
Said he: “If you support me, the dream will come true. They say PDP is dead, but I will prove them wrong.
“All LGA and ward chairmen are now automatic coordinators in their areas.
“Our journey to the government house has begun”.
With the conclusion of party primaries, the stage is now set for what promises to be a fiercely contested race.
With campaigns expected to intensify in the coming months, attention will turn to how these candidates plan to address such pressing issues as insecurity, unemployment, and infrastructure development in the State.
For voters, the election offers another opportunity to shape Anambra State’s future and for the candidates, it is a race not just for power but for the people’s trust.
