The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will leverage Otite Anam New Yam Festival celebrations to strengthen party cohesion and advance Governor Charles Soludo’s re-election campaign, as Dr. Emma Okonmah hosts Ezi-Anam party members and stakeholders on August 30, 2025.
The gathering, scheduled for Umuagu Village Square in Umudora, Okpala Ukwu Anam, will bring together APGA members and stakeholders from the Ezi-Anam ward and beyond during the annual Otite Anam celebrations. Party sources confirm that stakeholders from other wards across Anambra West are expected to attend the strategic mobilization event.
“This celebration represents more than just our traditional harvest festival—it’s an opportunity to unite our party family and reaffirm our commitment to Governor Soludo’s transformative agenda,” said a senior APGA official familiar with the event planning. Dr. Okonmah, founder and president of the Akalaka Foundation, is organizing the gathering to consolidate party unity ahead of the crucial 2025 gubernatorial election.
The timing reflects a calculated political strategy, as APGA has maintained control of Anambra State since 2006, with Governor Soludo entering his second year in office following his March 2022 inauguration. The economist and former Central Bank of Nigeria governor secured victory in the 2021 election with 112,229 votes—61.9 percent of the total cast—positioning the party for another electoral contest that political observers describe as potentially challenging.
Drawing stakeholders from across the local government area signals the party’s recognition of Anambra West’s strategic importance. “When you bring together leaders from different communities during our most sacred cultural celebration, you’re building bridges that extend far beyond politics,” explained a community elder who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of political discussions during traditional festivals.
The integration of political activities with the Otite Anam celebrations demonstrates the evolving landscape of Nigerian grassroots politics. This traditional harvest festival of the Anam people typically features ceremonies honouring ancestral spirits and celebrating agricultural abundance, making it an ideal backdrop for political unity messages. Party strategists increasingly view such cultural gatherings as essential platforms for voter engagement, particularly in rural constituencies where traditional values remain influential.
Dr. Okonmah’s Akalaka Foundation, which focuses on philanthropy for disadvantaged populations and widows across Anambra West, brings unique credibility to the political mobilization effort. “When someone who has consistently served the community without seeking office takes the lead in organizing political events, it sends a powerful message about genuine service,” noted a local political analyst.
However, the foundation’s involvement also highlights the complex intersection between civil society organizations and partisan political activities in contemporary Nigerian governance. Critics argue that such arrangements blur the lines between charitable work and political campaigning, though supporters maintain that community development and political engagement naturally complement each other.
Anambra West Local Government Area has served as an APGA stronghold since the party’s establishment in 2002, making the successful execution of events like this crucial for maintaining electoral dominance. The Ezi-Anam ward represents one of several political divisions within the broader Anam community, but the expanded invitation list suggests organizers are thinking beyond traditional ward boundaries.
“We’re not just talking to our usual supporters—we’re reaching out to every stakeholder who wants to see continued progress in our local government area,” revealed another party source. This broader approach reflects lessons learned from recent elections across Nigeria, where parties that expanded beyond their traditional bases often performed better than those relying solely on historical loyalties.
While the event remains open to the public, organizers are strategically targeting both existing APGA members and potential recruits. The dual focus on celebration and recruitment represents a sophisticated approach to grassroots mobilization that political experts say could serve as a model for other parties preparing for the 2025 election cycle.
Governor Soludo’s administration has emphasized infrastructure development, security improvements, and economic transformation initiatives since taking office, providing concrete achievements for local supporters to highlight during community discussions. “When people can see the roads, the schools, the security improvements, it makes our political conversations much easier,” observed a local party chairman.
The August 30 gathering ultimately represents more than just another political event—it embodies the ongoing evolution of Nigerian political culture, where traditional festivals increasingly serve as platforms for partisan engagement while maintaining their deep cultural significance for local communities. As one veteran politician put it, “Politics and culture have always been intertwined in Nigeria, but we’re now seeing more sophisticated ways of honouring both traditions and contemporary democratic processes.”
The success of this event will likely influence APGA’s broader electoral strategy as the party seeks to maintain its two-decade presence in Anambra State politics while navigating an increasingly competitive political landscape ahead of 2025.
