By: Chibuike ULOKA
With the Anambra off-cycle gubernatorial election set for November 8, 2025, the All Progressives Congress (APC) faces a critical decision: selecting not just a competent candidate but one with the capacity and determination to secure victory. It is no longer enough to have a flagbearer who simply holds the title of “Governorship Candidate” and “His Excellency” without leading the party to Government House. This election presents the APC with a unique opportunity to break the cycle of opposition and claim leadership in Anambra State.
As the party prepares for its April 5 primaries, delegates must rise above personal interests and prioritize the collective success of the party. The upcoming election is shaping up to be a contest between the APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) uncertain about fielding a candidate and the Labour Party embroiled in internal leadership disputes. This political landscape presents the APC with a golden opportunity to assert itself as the true progressive party by nominating a strong, credible, and widely accepted candidate—one capable of rallying support beyond party lines and dismantling APGA’s longstanding grip on power.
The APC is blessed with an array of competent politicians and technocrats, but only one candidate can emerge. The party’s task is clear: to select a visionary leader with a track record of integrity, achievements, and mass appeal—someone who embodies progressive ideals and can outmatch APGA in all strategic areas.
With the election fast approaching, several key issues will shape the contest. The APC must present a candidate with comparative advantages on these crucial matters. The current APGA-led administration has struggled to meet expectations, making credibility and the ability to fulfill campaign promises a major factor. APGA is expected to field Governor Charles Soludo for re-election. Given his credentials and incumbency advantage, the APC must counter with an equally formidable candidate—someone with strong academic credentials, broad acceptability, and the ability to unite diverse stakeholders, including traditional and religious institutions. APC’s success hinges on fielding a popular, widely accepted candidate who can leverage both local and national support to dismantle APGA’s hold on the state.
APGA has long exploited the pseudo-zoning argument to retain power. However, the reality is that zoning holds no significant weight within the APC or among discerning Anambra voters who prioritize good governance over sectional politics. Given that APGA is expected to field its candidate from Anambra South, the APC must avoid falling into this trap by selecting a flagbearer from another zone, particularly Anambra Central, which has a strong electoral advantage.
Among the array of aspirants, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, OFR, emerges as a formidable contender capable of redefining Anambra’s political and economic trajectory. As the founder of United Nigeria Airlines and a distinguished political economist, Prof. Okonkwo brings a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship and academia. His leadership has been recognized with prestigious awards, including The Sun Entrepreneur of the Year and the Dr. Michael Okpara Leadership Prize in Business. His deep roots in Anambra Central, a zone with significant electoral strength, offer a clear advantage.
His commitment to education is evident through his endowment at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, aimed at revitalizing the Igbo apprenticeship system. This initiative underscores his dedication to harnessing indigenous knowledge for economic empowerment—qualities that make him the strongest contender to break APC’s losing streak in Anambra.
One of the greatest challenges facing opposition parties in Anambra has been the inability to unify forces after primary elections. Okonkwo, however, enjoys widespread acceptability and is well-positioned to rally not only fellow aspirants but also defectors from other parties, creating a formidable coalition for the APC. His Anambra Central origin also plays a strategic role in neutralizing APGA’s zoning tactics. If zoning were to be followed, Soludo’s completion of his first term in 2026 would mark the conclusion of Anambra South’s eight-year tenure (following Gov. Chinwoke Mbadinuju’s 1999–2003 term and Soludo’s current administration). By that logic, power should naturally shift to Anambra Central, making Okonkwo’s candidacy even more compelling.
Prof. Okonkwo is a respected academic, entrepreneur, and political economist with vast experience in governance and leadership. His influence transcends political affiliations, earning him credibility among diverse stakeholders. He has the proven capacity to unify party members and attract defectors from the PDP, Labour Party, and APGA, strengthening APC’s electoral prospects. Coming from Anambra Central, he strategically positions the APC for victory by aligning with the natural zoning rotation. A respected figure among both the elite and grassroots voters, he bridges the gap between the political class and the common electorate.
His clearly defined seven-point agenda encapsulates the path to Anambra’s progress and addresses the root causes of insecurity and moral decadence in the state:
1. Security and Good Governance
2. Economic Transformation and Job Creation
3. Infrastructural Development
4. Agriculture and Rural Development
5. Education and Human Capital Development
6. Technology and Skill Acquisition
7. Value Reorientation
Quoting Chief Fredo Obiekunie on Prof. Obiora Okonkwo’s aspiration:
“I wish he (Prof. Obiora Okonkwo) gets into Agu Awka. A tested and trusted businessman who has proven over time to be capable of creating employment for our teeming youths. What he has done with United Nigeria Airlines is inspiring, and he’d replicate such entrepreneurial ingenuity if he gets into Agu Awka. A very unassuming and approachable politician/businessman.”
Like Chief Fredo Obiekunie—(a stakeholder and Adviser to Senator Dr. Chris Ngige during his stint as Governor), millions of Ndi Anambra and residents share the same sentiment.
By nominating Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, the APC would not only field a candidate with the best credentials, mass appeal, and electoral strategy but also position itself as the credible alternative that Anambra voters have long desired.
For the APC, this election is not just about contesting—it’s about winning.
