The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Senator Emma Anosike, has declared its support for the second-term bid of President Bola Tinubu, pledging full backing ahead of the 2027 general election. Anosike made this announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting of ward chairmen and secretaries with the State Executive, emphasizing that the party is focused on a ward-to-ward mobilization strategy to secure victory.
Party Primaries and Candidate Ratification
Anosike explained that all political office holders, including members of the National Assembly, operate within their wards, where grassroots political activities take place. He stressed that the state APC has already conducted its primaries and produced candidates, and their emergence followed due party processes that cannot be altered by any individual. “Every ward chairman knows who the party’s candidates are. They emerged through the party’s processes, and their emergence cannot be altered by any individual,” he said.
Anosike also warned against attempts to destabilize the party through media propaganda, while announcing the senatorial candidates for the state: Chief Mrs. Chiborgwu Benson-Oraelosi (Anambra South), Chief Kingsley Nnalue (Anambra North), and Dr. Ngozi Chiedu (Anambra Central). The ratification of these candidates, he said, was unanimously approved through motions moved and seconded at the State Executive Committee meeting.
Expelled Members and Reconciliation Committee
Anosike listed expelled members of the party, including Barr. Richard Egenti (State Legal Adviser), Ifeanyi Osegbo (State Chairman), Engr. Chukwudi Kenneth Oji (State Secretary), Sir Arinzechukwu Awogu (State Treasurer), Hon. Engr. Tony Uche Ezekwelu (Publicity Secretary), Hon. Ossy Nwoye (State Youth Leader), and Mrs. Uju Onyeanusi (State Welfare Secretary). To strengthen unity, he announced a five-member Reconciliation Committee chaired by Chief Obi Onwuachu, with Ichie Mike Ejezie as Vice Chairman and Chief Mrs. Tina Araonu as Secretary.
The State Publicity Secretary, Dr. Valentine Oliobi, described recent internal disputes as “staged and sponsored distractions,” insisting the party remains focused on the 2027 elections. He said the APC has complied with all legal and constitutional requirements in conducting its primaries and ratifying candidates, adding that the party has also approved the expulsion of members who instituted legal actions against it. “The party has done what is required under the law. We have moved forward, and there is no basis for further controversy. Our focus now is strengthening the party and preparing for electoral success,” he said.
INEC List Dispute and Legal Clarifications
In a related development, the State Legal Adviser, Barr. Cyprian Udenwa, dismissed reports alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had recognized a “fake” list of candidates, describing them as false. He argued that INEC has no legal authority to determine party nominees, stressing that candidate selection is strictly an internal party matter. Citing a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, he said the court upheld the party’s congress as an internal affair, noting that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to challenge it.
Udenwa stated that the party has formally ratified its candidates “from the Senate to the House of Representatives and State Assembly,” adding that those expelled have no standing within the party structure. He further cited provisions of the Electoral Act, insisting that INEC’s role is limited to monitoring primaries and not declaring candidates. “The duty of INEC is to monitor primaries, not to determine candidates. Those reports are false and of no effect,” he said.
He also accused some INEC officials in Anambra of creating confusion, while reiterating that the Supreme Court has affirmed political parties’ autonomy in determining their candidates. The APC in Anambra also confirmed the constitution of a reconciliation committee aimed at resolving internal grievances and strengthening party unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
