By Chuka Nnabuife
As Anambra State prepares for the 8th November gubernatorial election and the 16th August senatorial by-election in Anambra South, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has fully declared its support for its candidates—Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for a second term, and Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu for the Senate.
On Saturday, 2 August, APGA stakeholders in Anambra South held a grand rally at Ekwulobia Township Stadium, Aguata Local Government Area, to officially endorse both candidates. The event drew a massive crowd and marked the conclusion of a trio of zonal rallies aimed at building momentum for Governor Soludo’s re-election bid. Earlier, similar endorsement rallies had taken place in Anambra North and Anambra Central.
Titled Anambra South Mega Rally of Endorsement for Governor Soludo and Emmanuel Nwachukwu (Onodugo), the occasion was a clear display of APGA’s unity and grassroots mobilisation. In attendance were party members, traditional rulers, elected officials, and senior party figures including APGA National Chairman, Barr. Sylvester Ezeokenwa; State Chairman, Chief Ifeatu Obiokoye; Anambra South Zonal Vice Chairman of APGA, Chief Ikem ‘Surplus’ Ewuzie; and other local party leaders.
Governor Soludo who is vying for a second term along with Deputy Governor, Dr OnyekaChukwu Ibezim, was clearly energised by the unprecedented turnout. He expressed surprise at the scale of the event, especially given that his formal campaign organisation had yet to be inaugurated. He commended party stakeholders for fully funding the rally without recourse to state resources, describing it as a powerful testament to their confidence in him and Ibezim.
“I am deeply humbled,” Soludo remarked. “This level of mobilisation — entirely driven by the people — speaks volumes. It shows that Anambra is ready to continue rising.”
He attributed the widespread support for his second term bid to the impact and achievements of his administration over the past three years and four months, and urged the people of Anambra South to also back Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu in the upcoming senatorial by-election.
“Emma Nwachukwu will be in the Senate within the next two weeks. Vote for him,” Soludo said. “He is a seasoned financial expert, a respected banker, and a community leader from Ukpor in Nnewi South. He is an excellent fit for the Solution Government.”
The governor stressed the need for synergy between the state government and its representatives in the National Assembly. “We must have alignment between the legislature and the executive to move this state forward. Onodugo will win,” he asserted.
Governor Soludo also used the opportunity to caution against electoral malpractice, condemning candidates and parties who seek to buy votes or manipulate the process. He warned that such tactics would be strongly resisted by Ndi Anambra, who are politically enlightened and determined to protect their democratic rights.
He dismissed promises by certain candidates to serve only a single term if they get elected as governor, describing such declarations as deceitful and destabilising to the state’s political balance. “Anyone saying they’ll do just one term needs psychiatric evaluation,” he stated bluntly.
In a passionate defence of the standards expected of Anambra’s leadership, Soludo declared: “Anambra doesn’t need a street urchin as governor. This is the homeland of Zik of Africa (Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe), Dr Nwafor Orizu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and Prof. Chinua Achebe. We are too enlightened to entrust our future to charlatans.”
He remarked that some of his gubernatorial opponents in the November 8 election are merely posturing for financial gains or political appointments, rather than genuinely seeking to serve.
On security, the governor noted significant improvements in the protection of lives and property, while reiterating his administration’s standing amnesty offer to armed groups hiding in the forests. He urged them to surrender and reintegrate into society, promising rehabilitation and support. However, he warned that those who fail to take advantage of the amnesty window would face the full weight of the law.
A key highlight of the rally was the presentation of a ₦100 million cheque by APGA stakeholders in Anambra South, representing their collective donation to the governor’s re-election campaign.
Traditional rulers in the zone also conferred upon Governor Soludo the honorary title Olu Atu Egwu, making him the only recipient of that traditional chieftaincy honour across all three senatorial zones of Anambra State. The title had previously been bestowed upon him by monarchs in both Anambra North and Anambra Central.
The event chaired by Dr Christopher Eze, was attended by the wife of Governor Soludo, Dr Nonye Soludo, Nigeria’s only female governor and former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Former Deputy Governor of Anambra and Secretary of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Emeka Sibudu, Deputy President-General of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo among others. Also present in evident sign of the APGA party’s unity, were all the former APGA aspirants for the Anambra South senatorial ticket, including serving federal lawmaker, Dr Pascal Agbodike and Dr Akai Egwuonwu.
The rally was organised by a planning committee led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi.
