Who Will Prevail in the 2025 Anambra Gubernatorial Election? Written by Nduka Anyanwu, S.A.(Media) to The APGA National Chairman.
The gubernatorial election in Anambra on November 8 has become a competitive race involving candidates from APGA, Labour Party, and APC. The PDP has delayed its primaries, and other parties have remained silent. Each of the three major parties and their candidates brings a mix of strengths and challenges to the table as the election approaches.
The selection of three candidates from the Anambra South Senatorial District suggests that zoning will continue to play a role in Anambra politics. Many believe that, in the spirit of equity, leadership should return to Anambra Central by 2029. So, what advantages do each party and candidate possess, and what hurdles do they face?
1. APGA and Governor Soludo have the inherent benefit of incumbency. They enjoy substantial grassroots support and will campaign on achievements in infrastructural development, security, and more. In political terms, incumbents
generally have the election in their favor, reminiscent of Liverpool FC’s current advantage in the English Premiership. However, as history shows, surprises can occur; after all, Liverpool recently faltered in a match against Fulham. As a practicing Catholic, Governor Soludo could also leverage the Catholic Church’s profound influence within Anambra’s political landscape.
2. The Labour Party benefits from significant emotional backing in the Southeast due to the “Peter Obi effect.” With Anambra being Obi’s home state, their candidate George Moghalu, a seasoned politician, hopes to ride this wave again, similar to the last general election. Moghalu’s established relationships could yield support from across party lines. Nonetheless, challenging an incumbent is fraught with difficulties, particularly in terms of financial resources, as monetary influence plays a substantial role in Anambra elections. It remains to be seen whether the Labour Party has the necessary funds for a state-wide campaign, as sympathy alone may not suffice. As Moghalu is not Catholic, he may face challenges due to the prevailing church politics in the state. A recent initiative led by Tony Ezekwelu advocates for a non-Catholic governor; if this movement gains traction, it could benefit Moghalu.
3. The APC, being the ruling party at the federal level, has potential access to considerable resources. If they focus on Anambra, they could mobilize funds effectively for the upcoming election. There are concerns, however, that the party
might employ intimidation tactics similar to those seen in Edo state. Previous attempts to exert pressure in Anambra during the 2017 and 2021 elections failed; in 2017, the party withdrew security for Governor Willie Obiano during his re-election bid. In 2021, they attempted to court Obiano’s deputy and members of the state assembly but were unsuccessful, with APGA’s Soludo ultimately winning.
APC’s candidate Ukachukwu, who possesses considerable financial resources, will need to mend relationships with disgruntled stakeholders who are unhappy with the party’s primary outcomes; some of these individuals have shifted their allegiances to APGA. Ukachukwu, who is Anglican, may also encounter the challenges of church politics. Following his nomination, he hosted a thanksgiving service at St. Faith’s Cathedral in Awka and donated N50M to the church. However, unless he reaches out to the Catholic community with similar gestures, he might inadvertently alienate a significant portion of the electorate.
While the race is competitive, political analysts who traditionally speculate during Anambra’s gubernatorial elections are already focusing on candidates they predict will emerge victorious. So, which candidate do you think will win the 2025 Anambra gubernatorial election? Share your thoughts!
