APC and its permutations in Anambra

With the array of aspirants’ on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party appears serious in its bid to take over Anambra State during the governorship election. Southeast Bureau Chief NWANOSIKE ONU looks at the chances of the party in the contest

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has not made much impact in Anambra State since it was registered as a political party in 2013. Yet, it parades an array of bigwigs in the state. Some analysts believe that it will take some time before the party will be accepted, not only in Anambra, but the entire Igboland.

However, Nze Modestus Umenzekwe, a chieftain of the party, has dismissed such a notion. He believes the APC has good followership in the state and the Southeast in general.

Umenzekwe said the reason the APC is not doing well in Anambra is because of the selfishness of the leaders. He said the party leaders have this attitude of “it must be me”, which he said, keeps drawing the APC back; instead of progressing.

As the state prepares to go to the polls in November, is the APC ready to cause a major upset? Chief Denis Ngene, an APC chieftain, told The Nation that the people have started identifying with the party. He said the APC will make waves in Anambra this year because of the quality of aspirants queuing up to contest the governorship on its platform. The aspirants are Senator Andy Uba, Dr Chidozie Nwankwo, Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo, Geoff Onyejegbu and Azuka Okwuosa. There is also Chief George Moghalu, who is the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Inland Waterways (NIWA) and a new entrant to the race, Maxwell Okoye.

Besides, the APC parades other intimidating names on its membership list such as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; two-term House of Representatives member and the last governorship candidate of the APC, Dr Tony Nwoye; Chief Kodilinye Okelekwe; and Senator Emma Anosike.

But, they usually do not work as a team for the party’s interest. There has been a lingering accusation of gang up against each other whenever it is electioneering period.

Earlier in the year, APC leaders in the Southeast, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma came to Anambra to solve the above problem. Uzodimma described the November 6 governorship election as a must-win for the party.

The governor said it is unfortunate that the party has been playing second fiddle in the state’s politics for a long time, despite the calibre of people that make up the party. He, however, assured aspirants eyeing the governorship seat that there would be a level-playing field during the primary because the party has no anointed candidate. He urged the aspirants to build a good relationship with the people in their constituencies and not look up to the party leadership to influence their votes.

Uzodimma said whoever the people gives the ticket would be the party’s flag bearer. He said: “The APC cannot continue to be opposition in the state. We must be ready to take the initiative to win in November. But, it can only be possible if we’re united. It is the desire for peace and unity in the party that brought us here, for the sole purpose of reconciling the different groups.

“We know all of them that prefer to work alone. Our main job is to reconcile all of them. When we achieve this, it will help us in strengthening the party ahead of the registration exercise, the congress and convention and the election proper.

“Peace in the party will also help us organise a credible primary that will produce the party’s flag bearer. A transparent primary will guarantee they rally round to support the winner.

“Let me make it very clear for the people of Southeast that November election is a must-win for the APC. The Southeast must mobilise forces known and unknown to ensure that the election is won for the APC.”

But, how ready is the APC for the November governorship election? The Caretaker Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike told The Nation that the party is 100 per cent ready. Nevertheless, his major headache remains the disunity among members and the lack of funding from the stakeholders. It was the same scenario that played out during the 2017 governorship when Governor Obiano secured his second term mandate.

It was a fact that virtually all the stakeholders worked against Nwoye, who was the party’s candidate in that election. The same stakeholders who worked against Nwoye’s candidature are still on the prowl.

But, many of them have sworn that they would accept whoever emerges as the party’s flag bearer. Observers believe that five of the aspirants are serious contenders. They are Senator Uba, Dr Nwankwo, Chief Moghalu, Chief Onunkwo and Okoye. Okoye is not leaving anything to chance. Since he joined the race, there have been speculations that he is being sponsored by some party bigwigs. Okoye, who is President Muhammadu Buhari’s Director, Political Affairs for the Southeast, has been touted as one of the top contenders for the ticket because he is expected to give PDP and APGA a real fight during the election. Okoye has debunked the claims that he is being sponsored by party bigwigs in Abuja. He called on the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to conduct a free, fair and credible primary.

He said: “The only way APC will defeat the ruling APGA and the major opposition party, the PDP, is for the party to conduct a transparent primary.”

Okoye said he was in the race to provide answers to the leadership question in Anambra, assuring the party that he would serve the people above himself, if given the opportunity to lead.

He said soon, the structures of the PDP and that the APGA would collapse into the APC structures in the state.

Among the five front-runners, Uba appears to be more experienced than the others; having contested the position in 2007 and was declared the winner by INEC. However, he was later removed by the Supreme Court after 17 days, following the case instituted by Peter Obi against his declaration by INEC.

Besides, Uba served as a two-term senator, representing Anambra South before he lost his third term bid in 2019 to Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who contested on the platform of the Youth Progressives Party (YPP).

Moghalu has also acquired some experience in that regard. He once contested the Anambra governorship seat on the platform of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP). The managing director of NIWA is not a neophyte in the political arena and should be watched closely too.

Nwankwo, the chief executive officer of Witchtech Group, is equally adequately prepared for the battle ahead. If given the ticket, he has all it takes to prosecute the governorship election, according to him.

Speaking with The Nation, Nwankwo said: “Just watch. You will see that the APC will form the next government in Awka. I don’t say things that don’t happen. Going forward, there will be a change in the ruling party. Just watch and see.”