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 that 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; National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Dr Ejimofor Opara, former governors and deputy governors; House of Representatives members; Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi; Chief of Protocol and Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Chinedu Nwoye, among other dignitaries, graced the inauguration, demonstrating party unity and cohesion ahead of the polls.
In his remarks, Governor Soludo unveiled the campaign structure, establishing three key officers for each local government area — chairman, co-chairman, and secretary — and announced plans for project inspections and direct voter engagement across the state. He stressed that governance would not be put on hold for politics. “It is not about me as an individual but about Anambra and ndi Anambra,” he declared, positioning his candidacy as essential for the state’s continued development.
The governor also reinforced Anambra’s political zoning arrangement, insisting that Anambra South must complete its eight-year tenure before power shifts to Anambra Central and subsequently to Anambra North. “No one should disrupt the zoning formula in Anambra,” he warned, adding that he would only hand over to a “proper full Anambra Central person, not someone married to an Anambra Central person.”
Soludo criticized his opponents, questioning the qualifications of some contenders. He noted that it would be a disservice for someone without the minimum academic requirement to aspire to lead a state that produced intellectual giants like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, and Chief Chuba Okadigbo.
On party unity, the governor dismissed past crises within APGA as failed attempts by “unknown people” to cause confusion. He described the party as stronger and more united than ever, recalling its resilience in overcoming challenges in the past.
Soludo also defended recent appointments, including that of Professor Kate Omenugha as Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, describing her as “the best” choice for the role, and noting that some of her challengers lacked the necessary qualifications.
Director-General of the campaign council, Professor Osita Chukwudobelu, in his opening speech, called on members to “take the message to every nook and cranny of the state to ensure the governor is delivered on November 8.” He emphasized that the campaign must focus not just on Soludo’s personality but on his vision and achievements.
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,” citing statistics from the recent Anambra South senatorial by-election as evidence of APGA’s dominance.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze, also pledged legislative support, stressing that the Assembly is “solidly behind the governor.” He described Soludo as the first leader since 1999 to truly change the state’s development trajectory.
In her remarks, APGA Board of Trustees Member, Chief Ifeyinwa Obegolu, gave a strong endorsement, asserting that “Soludo has no competition because he is working on all fronts.” She highlighted his strides in health, education, infrastructure, and human capital development, urging Ndi Anambra to consolidate these gains by returning him for a second term.
Former Anambra governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba, echoed these sentiments, stating that “everyone has agreed that APGA must continue because of Soludo’s performance.” Her position was reinforced by former Deputy Governor and Ohaneze Secretary General, who maintained that any southern governor delivering results deserves Ohaneze’s backing, regardless of party affiliation.
The inauguration signals the formal commencement of APGA’s campaign activities, with the party expressing optimism about retaining power based on Soludo’s first-term record in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security. The November 8 election will determine whether Soludo secures a second four-year term as Anambra’s chief executive.