The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are locked in a heated battle over the upcoming Anambra South senatorial by-election, scheduled for August 16, 2025. APGA is fielding Emmanuel Nwachukwu, an accountant, while APC is backing Azuka Okwuosa, a former Commissioner for Works. Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the incumbent governor and APGA’s candidate for the November 8 governorship election, campaigned for Nwachukwu’s victory, emphasizing the by-election’s significance for the gubernatorial race.
Soludo highlighted that the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, whose death necessitated the by-election, was a former APGA member before defecting to the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and later APC. APC’s governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, responded by claiming Soludo lost both the House of Representatives and Senatorial seats as governor and would still lose the forthcoming by-election. Ukachukwu attributed Soludo’s emergence as governor to the goodwill of former Governor Willie Obiano. However, President Bola Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, have pledged support for Okwuosa’s candidacy.
The APC South-East Zonal Chairman, Ijoma Arodiogu, emphasized the importance of connecting Anambra to the federal government, stating, “Anambra must be connected to the centre. Work hard, we must win the election, secure victory in the Senatorial by-election and occupy the Government House.” Meanwhile, Ukachukwu condemned the use of SASA operatives, also known as Ndi Aka Odo, in civil matters and business compliance enforcement, describing their activities as barbaric. He threatened to disband the operatives and investigate killings in the state.
The outcome of the senatorial by-election is seen as crucial for the November 8 governorship election. APGA’s alliance with the federal government, led by President Tinubu, has been a subject of debate, with APC claiming the president’s support for their candidate. However, Soludo’s camp maintains that the APGA-APC alliance at the centre will benefit the state. The election’s outcome will likely determine the trajectory of Anambra’s politics and the fortunes of the parties involved.
In a recent development, the political family of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah defected to APGA, citing Soludo’s impressive projects and policies as reasons for their decision. This defection is seen as a significant blow to Ukachukwu’s gubernatorial ambitions. The stage is set for a closely contested election, with both parties gearing up for what promises to be a fiercely fought battle.
