By Our Correspondent
Anambra State is warming up for its local government elections under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s APGA-led administration.
Two fresh faces have emerged, signalling a new wave of young, community-driven leadership. Nze Odera Ezenwafor, a cultural advocate contesting the chairmanship of Idemili South LGA, and Nnonyelu Christian Chinaza, a leading entrepreneur seeking the chairmanship of Ayamelum LGA, are both flying the APGA flag.
Rooted in Igbo identity yet forward-looking, the duo blend tradition with innovation while openly aligning with Soludo’s reform agenda.
Their campaigns foreground issues such as equitable zoning, cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and job creation.
Ezenwafor formally declared his ambition at a ward meeting in Idemili South, speaking with humility about responding to a “call to serve” rather than a hunger for power.
He cited former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to reinforce his advocacy for rotational zoning—an especially sensitive subject in Anambra’s fragmented political landscape.
His development blueprint, “Empowerment – Consolidation – Entertainment & Cultural Revival,” prioritises inclusive growth, stronger grassroots institutions, and the strategic use of culture to drive tourism and social cohesion.
He has pledged to work closely with the Soludo administration on infrastructure, security, and community development at the ward level.
Popularly known as Dike Ndi Igbo, Ezenwafor positions himself as a bridge-builder, championing Igbo values while navigating the fault lines of a politically tense Idemili South.
Chinaza, born in 1995 and hailing from Omor in Ayamelum LGA, brings a similar intensity and reformist outlook.
He is the Chief Executive Officer of NCC Fresh & Raw Foods Ltd., with hands-on experience in agriculture, commodity trading, and forex.
A graduate of Theatre Arts from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, he blends business acumen with creative expression.
His recognitions—including Anambra Youth Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 and Peace Ambassador 2026—underscore his commitment to enterprise and community service, particularly through the Chinemeze Cares Foundation.
His interests in community development, youth mentorship, music, and adventure shape a campaign that seeks to translate Anambra’s cultural heritage into agribusiness jobs and creative-industry opportunities.
Both candidates reflect striking parallels in Anambra’s evolving political terrain. Young and energetic—Chinaza at 30, and Ezenwafor combining experience with vitality—they represent a break from entrenched political dynasties, projecting youth inclusion and cultural revival as tools for governance.
Their emergence resonates with Nigeria’s youthful population, increasingly vocal about accountability and opportunity.
They also align with Soludo’s achievements in road construction, skills acquisition, and economic reform, strengthening APGA’s grassroots appeal despite lingering zoning disputes and uneven development.
Ezenwafor has drawn attention to the perceived marginalisation of
