By Romanus Okoye
Anambra State Governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on Friday inaugurated the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) gubernatorial campaign council ahead of the November 8 governorship election, declaring his administration’s achievements make his re-election inevitable.
The ceremony, attended by top APGA officials and political stakeholders, saw the appointment of Professor Osita Chukwudobelu as Director-General of the campaign council.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, former governor and deputy governors, House of Representatives members, Anambra State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze and his deputy, Hon. Paul Okoye, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Chief of Protocol and Deputy Chief of Staff Hon. Chinedu Nwoye, amongst the dignitaries, present, demonstrating party cohesion ahead of the election.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Soludo outlined the campaign structure, establishing three key officers for each local government area: a chairman, co-chairman, and secretary. He announced plans for continued project inspections and direct voter engagement throughout the state, emphasising that work must continue beyond the election. “It is not about me as an individual but Anambra and ndi Anambra,” Soludo stressed, positioning his candidacy as essential for continued state development.
The governor used the occasion to reinforce the state’s political zoning arrangement, insisting that Anambra South must complete its eight-year tenure before power shifts to Anambra Central, then Anambra North. “No one should disrupt the zoning formula in Anambra,” Soludo declared. “I can only hand over to a proper full Anambra Central person, not someone married to an Anambra Central person.”
In a pointed critique of his opponents, Soludo suggested some lack basic qualifications. He queried how somebody who does not have a school certificate could be a governor of Anambra State, where the likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Chuba Okadigbo, come from. He said one also parades a fake doctorate degree.
He described last year’s challenges to party unity as unsuccessful attempts by “unknown people” to cause confusion. He maintained that despite previous crises within APGA, the party had always emerged victorious, noting that the party had never been as united as it currently stands.
Still in his address, the governor also defended recent appointments, including Professor Kate Omenugha as Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, calling her “the best” choice for the position and suggesting some who contested against her lacked proper qualifications.
Professor Chukwudobelu, in his opening speech, emphasised the council’s mission, stating they must “take the message to every nook and crannies of the state to ensure the governor is delivered on November 8.” He urged council members to campaign not just for Soludo’s person but his message and vision, warning that “it is not time to relax but work assiduously.”
APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa praised Soludo’s transformative leadership, noting that “anything that receives the Soludo touch becomes positively different.” He expressed confidence that the November election would be a “walkover” based on statistics from the recent Anambra South senatorial by-election, describing all attendees as volunteers in the re-election effort.
Legislative support for the governor’s re-election bid was confirmed by Speaker Somtochukwu Udeze, who assured that “the house is solidly behind him.” The Speaker emphasised that the election concerns “what the people really want” and praised Soludo for changing the state’s narrative since 1999, adding that the House of Assembly is not a “rubber stamp” but focusses on what benefits the people of Anambra.
In similar vein, Honourable Pascal Agbodike, Member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency, described the re-election as already “decided,” calling the campaign council inauguration a formality to “fulfil all righteousness.” He confirmed that all eleven House of Representatives members from the state support Soludo’s candidacy, whether through open campaigning or behind-the-scenes activities.
The APGA BOT Member, Chief Ifeyinwa Obegolu delivered a rousing endorsement of the governor, asserting that “Soludo has no competition because he is working on all fronts.” She insisted that nothing substantial existed before Soludo’s administration, recounting his achievements across health, education, infrastructure, and other sectors whilst urging beneficiaries of various programmes to reciprocate with their votes.
Former Anambra State governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba, lent her support to Soludo’s continued leadership, stating that “everyone has agreed that APGA must continue because of Soludo’s performance.” Her endorsement was reinforced by former Deputy Governor, Sibudu, who, speaking as the Ohaneze Secretary General, argued that any southern governor performing well, regardless of party affiliation, deserves Ohaneze support. He positioned Soludo as precisely such a leader worthy of backing.
The inauguration signals the formal commencement of APGA’s campaign activities, with the party expressing confidence in retaining power based on Soludo’s first-term performance across infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security sectors. The November 8 governorship election will determine whether Soludo secures a second four-year term as Anambra’s chief executive, with the campaign council now tasked with mobilising support across the state’s 21 local government areas.
