In the build-up to the 2025 Anambra Governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) finds itself at a crucial juncture in selecting a candidate who can not only win at the polls but also appeal to the general electorate. Among those eyeing the ticket is Paul Chukwuma, a former National Auditor of the APC and a figure who, despite his resources, remains largely unmarketable to Ndi Anambra.
Paul Chukwuma’s gubernatorial ambition is riddled with significant challenges. First, he lacks the widespread grassroots appeal necessary to unify the diverse political landscape of Anambra. While he may have wielded influence within the party structure, this does not translate to popularity among the masses. In a state where candidates must connect deeply with traders, professionals, and the youth, Chukwuma’s elitist image and lack of strong engagement with local communities put him at a disadvantage.
Additionally, his political record does not inspire confidence. As National Auditor of the APC, he was hardly visible in matters that concerned the Southeast, particularly in advocating for federal projects in Anambra. Many see him as a politician who benefits from Abuja politics but offers little in return to his home state. This perception will be a major hurdle in marketing him to the electorate.
Furthermore, his candidacy risks reinforcing the narrative that the APC is disconnected from the realities of Anambra politics. Unlike a candidate who can rally both party loyalists and swing voters, Chukwuma lacks the personal charisma and historical presence needed to sway the people. His failure to build a formidable grassroots structure means that even if given the ticket, the APC may struggle to sell him beyond party members.
For a party that seeks to take over Anambra from the incumbent All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), fielding an unpopular and disconnected candidate like Paul Chukwuma would be a grave mistake. The APC must instead opt for a candidate with both political goodwill and mass appeal, someone who can convincingly present the party as a viable alternative.
Obiora Okonkwo: The Wrong Choice for APC’s Anambra Governorship Ticket
overnorship election, one of the names being touted for the party’s ticket is Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, a businessman and politician with a history of party defections. However, his candidacy would be a major miscalculation, given his weak political base, inconsistency, and questionable credibility among Ndi Anambra.
Obiora Okonkwo’s biggest political baggage is his party-hopping history. Having moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APGA and now positioning himself within the APC, he lacks the ideological stability and loyalty that voters respect. Anambra electorates are politically sophisticated and view such movements as opportunistic rather than a sign of competence. A candidate without a firm political identity is unlikely to inspire confidence or loyalty among voters.
Additionally, Okonkwo’s influence is largely restricted to business circles rather than the grassroots. While he has a reputation as a successful entrepreneur, this does not automatically translate to political acceptability. Many voters in Anambra do not see him as a true politician who understands governance but rather as a businessman seeking political power for self-interest. His inability to connect with market women, artisans, and the youth means that even if APC fields him, the party will struggle to sell his candidacy.
His previous electoral outings also paint a picture of weak political strength. In past elections, despite his financial resources, he has failed to make any significant impact, indicating that he does not enjoy a strong followership. If the APC is serious about winning Anambra, fielding Okonkwo will be a liability rather than an advantage.
With these factors in mind, APC must look beyond Obiora Okonkwo and find a candidate who can genuinely represent the party’s interests while appealing to the grassroots. Anything less would amount to political suicide.
Nicholas Ukachukwu: A Hard Sell for APC in Anambra’s 2025 Elections
among those seeking the APC’s governorship ticket. However, his candidacy presents significant obstacles that make him unfit for the party’s ambitions in the state.
Ukachukwu’s first major drawback is his long history of failed political bids. Over the years, he has contested for various positions under different parties, including APGA, PDP, and now APC, yet he has never been able to secure a major electoral victory. His repeated failures suggest that he lacks the necessary political influence and appeal to win an election in Anambra. If a candidate has consistently lost elections, it is clear that the electorate does not find him credible or inspiring.
Another issue is his perception among the people. Many Ndi Anambra see Ukachukwu as a businessman-politician who is more focused on personal wealth accumulation than public service. His business dealings and allegations of controversies in past dealings have raised concerns about his suitability for governance. In a state where the electorate is deeply conscious of integrity and performance, fielding a candidate with credibility concerns would only damage the APC’s chances.
Furthermore, Ukachukwu does not command the grassroots support necessary to win a governorship election in Anambra. Unlike candidates with strong political structures across the 21 local government areas, his support base is limited and fragmented. The APC needs a candidate who can unify various interest groups, but Ukachukwu’s political style does not project that strength.
For the APC to stand a chance in Anambra, it must choose a candidate with broad acceptability, strong grassroots support, and a clean political record. Nicholas Ukachukwu does not fit this profile, and giving him the ticket would only spell doom for the party’s chances in the 2025 elections.
Anambra Leaders Forum (ALF)
