Anambra South Poll: Six APGA Aspirants Yet to Enter Conclave — Primary Holds July 21

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has officially scheduled its primary election for the Anambra South Senatorial District to hold on July 21, 2025.

Recall that Governor Charles Soludo had earlier directed the six aspirants vying for the senatorial ticket to enter into a conclave—a closed-door meeting—aimed at selecting a consensus candidate.

At a recent stakeholders’ meeting held in Ekwulobia, Governor Soludo advised the aspirants to either reach a mutual agreement on one candidate or allow him, as party leader, to choose a consensus candidate in the interest of party unity ahead of the bye-election.

However, reports indicate that the aspirants are yet to reach a consensus, stalling the negotiation process and deepening internal competition.

Meanwhile, intense lobbying and political horse-trading are reportedly ongoing among statutory delegates in the lead-up to the primary. Pressure is also mounting on the party leadership to approve the nomination of preferred adhoc delegates, a move that could significantly shape the outcome of the primaries.

While the party awaits a possible consensus decision, APGA has released a provisional timetable for its primaries covering all affected National and State Assembly positions. These include two senatorial districts, five House of Representatives constituencies, and nine State Assembly seats, among them Onitsha North I, where the sitting lawmaker was recently kidnapped and killed despite a ransom payment.

According to a statement signed by APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, the party’s National Working Committee, in line with the APGA Constitution (2019) and the INEC timetable for the August 16, 2025 bye-elections, has approved the following schedule:

Sale and Return of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms: July 3 – July 9, 2025
Screening of Aspirants (Senate, House of Reps, State Assembly): July 12, 2025
Resolution of Screening Appeals: July 15, 2025
Ward Congresses to Elect Adhoc Delegates: July 15, 2025
Senatorial, House of Reps, and State Assembly Primaries: July 21, 2025
Speaking further, Mazi Opara reaffirmed APGA’s commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible primaries. He called on all aspirants to trust the party’s process and work collectively to preserve APGA’s democratic ethos and internal cohesion.