Anambra Guber: Soludo elected APGA candidate, announces Ibezim as running mate

Governor Chukwuma Soludo has been elected as the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State.

The party held its governorship primary election on Saturday at the Alex Ekwueme Square, in Awka, where Soludo stood as the lone contestant.

Announcing the results, the returning officer for the election, Uche Nwegbo said: “Total delegates for this election is 3,260; 3,175 accredited delegates; 3,172 total votes, while four votes were invalid.

“The total yes-votes garnered by the governor is 3,168, while there were no no-votes.

“So, in line with INEC guidelines and with the powers conferred on me as the chief returning officer for this election, I, Uche Nwegbo, hereby declare the governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as returned, as the candidate of our party.”

Soludo in his speech accepted the nomination, while also assuring that he will continue to work hard to ensure that he does not fail members of the party or the people of Anambra State.

He said: “We as a party have grown from strength to strength. We are the first registered progressive party in Nigeria and our people have taken APGA as their own. Anambra is APGA and APGA is Anambra.

“I want to say that I am humbled by this historic display of solidarity to be able to fly the flag of our party again, and I want to say that I accept this nomination whole heartedly.

“Anambra keeps rising with the progressive leadership that we have had through APGA, and I will continue to appreciate the leadership of the party.

“I appreciate the members of our party and the INEC observers. I don not think that we have ever had this kind of peaceful election where everything was orderly and in one hour everyone was able to cast their votes.

“In 2021, Anambra interviewed all the candidates and employed me, and all through the journey, three years down the line, you have been able to give us support. That is why we have been able to do what we do, which people say is magical. We are doing this without borrowing one Naira and I know we will continue us to do even more and we continue to ask for your prayers.

“We are only at the introductory stage, Anambra has not seen anything yet. I appreciate citizens, captains of industries who have been supporting us and we will keep growing higher and higher.

“I appreciate the support groups, especially all that endorsed us for a second term. They are still coming up with more donations to the campaigns, and I thank those market women who are still eager to donate to our campaign. Many political parties have declared support for us and never in Anambra State have we ever had a consensus like what we have today.

“When I took oath of office, I promised not to let Anambra down, not to let my supporters down, not to let my family down, and not to let APGA down. We are working 247 to ensure that. Many people have said we do not have any opposition, but I say that we will not only win all the 21 local government but the 326 wards. Someone said we should even aim for all the polling units in the state. We want to make a statement.”

Meanwhile, the governor also announced his running mate immediately, choosing his deputy for the race.

He said: “In 2017, I gave a lecture which I titled ‘If it is not broken, why mend it?’, and it became popular. Today I want to say that I am renominating Dr Onyeka Ibezim as my deputy governorship candidate for the election. If it is not broken, why mend it? I want to say that the battle has only began.”