The upcoming Anambra governorship election, slated for November 8, 2025, has ignited a flurry of political activity, with the incumbent All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its candidates, Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, emphasizing their focus on the future of the state amidst escalating campaign rhetoric. Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, the Director-General of the APGA campaign organization, has stressed the importance of candidate qualifications, asserting that Anambra deserves leaders with proven intellectual capacity and integrity, subtly contrasting their credentials with those of their opponents. He highlighted the Soludo administration’s achievements and vision for the next four years as the cornerstone of their campaign, emphasizing the need for a continued trajectory of progress and development.
Chukwulobelu’s statement addressed the increasing intensity of the political discourse, acknowledging the desperation of some opposing candidates in the face of favorable opinion polls for the Soludo-Ibezim ticket. He framed the attacks from their rivals, particularly the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uche Ekwunife, as “tantrums and despicable obscenities,” designed to distract from the substantive issues facing Anambra. He reiterated APGA’s commitment to a campaign based on their accomplishments and future plans, refusing to engage in the mudslinging he perceives from the opposition.
The APGA campaign has placed a significant emphasis on the educational and professional qualifications of its candidates. Chukwulobelu cited Governor Soludo’s impressive academic credentials – a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) – and his extensive experience as a globally recognized economist and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He further lauded Dr. Ibezim’s qualifications as a medical doctor with a background in public service. This emphasis on qualifications serves as a veiled critique of their opponents, particularly the APC candidates, whom Chukwulobelu claims possess the “worst qualification for the office of governor in the history of Anambra State.”
Chukwulobelu’s statement alluded to alleged discrepancies in the qualifications presented by some candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), suggesting the presentation of “fake and spurious credentials.” While he refrained from explicitly naming the candidates in question, he implied that their attempts to discredit Governor Soludo and his family stemmed from the exposure of these discrepancies. He further linked this alleged behavior to a broader campaign by the Soludo administration against fraudulent practices, including the pursuit of individuals posing as traditional healers (Okeite Dibia) and those obtaining fake degrees and titles, highlighting the negative influence such practices have on the youth.
The APGA campaign director expressed confidence in the continued support of the Anambra people, citing the party’s strong performance in a recent bye-election as a testament to their popularity. He underscored the administration’s commitment to ethical and moral rebirth, portraying their focus on combating fraudulent practices as part of a broader effort to instill values of hard work and enterprise in the youth. He directly addressed the alleged attempts to smear the First Lady of Anambra State, describing her as a model of womanhood and motherhood and dismissing the accusations as baseless attacks.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of APGA’s unwavering focus on the future of Anambra, emphasizing their commitment to a campaign centered on concrete achievements and a clear vision for the state. By positioning themselves as the party of progress, integrity, and qualified leadership, APGA aims to contrast themselves with what they perceive as the desperate and unsubstantiated attacks from their opponents. The November 8 election will ultimately determine whether this strategy resonates with the electorate and secures another term for Governor Soludo and his administration.
