APGA Primaries: Anambra Politicians Compete for Party Tickets

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) remains the dominant party in Anambra State. According to David‑Chyddy Eleke, candidates are preparing for a fierce contest as the party heads toward its primaries.

On May 23, 2026, APGA will hold its primary election to select candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, Governor and House of Assembly. The date was chosen to precede the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) deadline. In Anambra, APGA has held the governorship for twenty years, taking power from the Peoples Democratic Party on March 17, 2006 through the court, using its 2003 governorship candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

In the state, securing an APGA ticket is often viewed as a guaranteed path to office. Two months ago, the party conducted a primary for local government elections scheduled for August this year. Those who emerged as local government chairmanship candidates and councillors already feel like elected officials.

Although the general election is still months away, APGA candidates have already celebrated their victories, confident that no other party will challenge them.

APGA’s popularity has attracted many political heavyweights. Some remain loyal, while others who had left the party have returned, and a few who previously opposed it have also re‑joined, seeking the party’s ticket to advance their ambitions.

The May 23 primary is expected to be a hard‑fought battle among more than two strong aspirants in each of the 30 state constituencies, 11 federal constituencies and three senatorial zones. In the senatorial race, Anambra North features several prominent candidates who each claim superiority, popularity and experience.

Among them are Senator Stella Oduah, Chief Primus Odili and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu. Oduah, a former aviation minister and ex‑senator for the zone, cites her prior chamber experience. Odili, a grassroots politician and former Chief of Staff to Governor Willie Obiano, relies on his popularity within the party. Dr. Obiogbolu, a medical doctor from Onitsha and former Senior Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on political matters, counts on his close ties to the party’s national leader, Governor Soludo.

Intrigue has already surfaced. A group of elders warned the party against fielding Oduah, citing a fraud conviction and a recent plea bargain involving over N2 billion. Other stakeholders argue that Obiogbolu, who served as Director‑General of the PDP governorship campaign in 2021, is not a party member. These tensions are expected to intensify in the coming days.

In the federal constituency race, strong contenders include Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu and Dr. Ifeanyi Ibezi for the Idemili North and South seats. Both men are well rooted locally and believe that an APGA ticket for the 2027 election will secure them victory, especially if they can defeat the National Democratic Convention candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, who has aligned himself with the party for his presidential bid.

During a recent stakeholders meeting, Ibezi announced his intention to contest, but the Idemili North local government chairman—believed to support Iyiegbu—canceled the meeting, citing security intelligence that the venue was unsafe.

Attempts to hold the meeting led to a confrontation that escalated into gunfire, resulting in the shooting of two police officers by members of the Agunechemba Security Outfit.

In other parts of the state, politicians remain ready to secure the APGA ticket.

Prior to the Monday screening of all aspirants, APGA released guidelines for the upcoming primary, urging candidates to bring their highest qualifications. National Publicity Secretary Mazi Ejimofor Opara issued a press statement warning against bribery and urging any payment demands to be reported immediately to the National Secretariat.

Last week, the party collected billions from the sale of primary forms, pricing Senate, House of Representatives, Governor and House of Assembly forms at N15 million, N12 million, N25 million and N6 million respectively.

National leader Prof. Chukwuma Soludo announced at a South East stakeholders meeting that the primary would be conducted within the wards of each aspirant’s locality, using option A4, and that all primary appeals would be resolved on May 28, 2026.