By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
Ahead of the primary elections within political parties in Anambra State for the November 8 governorship election, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has officially commissioned the party’s new office in the state.
The new Anambra APC office, located opposite the State Government House, was single-handedly rented and equipped by one of the governorship aspirants, Sir Paul Chukwuma.
During the event, other APC governorship aspirants, including Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo, Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, and Professor Obiora Okonkwo, applauded Sir Paul Chukwuma for his dedication and commitment to strengthening the party in the state, as well as for securing a befitting office.
In his address, the state chairman of the APC, Hon. Basil Ejidike, described Umar Ganduje’s visit to Anambra State as an expression of love and high regard for Ndi Anambra since assuming office as the party’s national chairman.
Ejidike appreciated the chairman for his massive financial support to APC candidates in the Southeast during the 2019 general elections, noting that Anambra State benefited significantly. He also praised Ganduje’s unwavering support for the inauguration of the Anambra APC Consultative Council on July 17, 2024, in Abuja.
He stated that under Ganduje’s leadership, the APC has made significant progress in electoral strategy and that the party in Anambra has developed a blueprint to guide its efforts for the 2025 elections.
Ejidike also highlighted key challenges facing the APC in the state, including the lack of federal government appointments and discrimination against APC members by the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He appealed to the national chairman to intervene and address these issues.
Furthermore, Ejidike commended Sir Paul Chukwuma as a dedicated party member, revealing that he initiated Ganduje’s visit to Anambra, rented the APC secretariat, provided furniture, replicated similar efforts in some local government areas, donated ₦100 million to the APC Consultative Council in Abuja, and provided a bus for the party’s youth wing.
The state chairman also acknowledged the contributions of other aspirants in advancing the party’s progress in Anambra.
In his remarks, APC National Chairman Umar Ganduje assured party members that the national leadership would uphold justice, equity, and fairness in the primary election. He emphasized that under his watch, party processes would no longer follow the usual patterns.
He also commended Sir Paul Chukwuma for his efforts in sustaining the party in the state. Ganduje described the Igbo people as the most nationalistic group in Nigeria but regretted their limited connection to national politics.
He expressed confidence that an APC victory in the November 8 governorship election would reconnect Anambra to the national political framework, leading to faster development, improved security, and economic growth.
Speaking at the event, leading APC governorship aspirant Sir Paul Chukwuma stated that the party’s mission in Anambra is to return governance to Ndi Anambra, strengthen its grassroots presence, and integrate the state into national politics.
He described Ganduje’s visit as a victory for the APC in Anambra and all its members.
“While we welcome our brothers into the party, they should not suppress us in our own house. You cannot join an existing party and claim to be the one giving it life. That is why our grassroots members are resisting such moves. That is why I stood up to give the party confidence. Why talk about building a new office when we already have one? If you wanted to build an office, you should have done so in your local government. I am happy that APC is not a party of indiscipline but a party of order and structure. I am contesting for governorship, but I cannot do so if the party is not in order,” Chukwuma said.
“I am devoting my time to fixing the party first. The vehicle that will take me to the Government House is APC, and I need to fix it. Now that we have strengthened the party, APC has become more interesting. My priority is APC. With your support, Mr. Chairman, we will defeat the APGA government. Mr. Chairman, we are ready. Mr. Chairman, we are prepared. Mr. Chairman, no amount of blackmail will stop Paul Chukwuma from becoming the Governor of Anambra State on November 8,” he declared.
Other APC officials who spoke at the event included Deputy National Chairman Chief Emma Eneukwu and National Vice Chairman (Southeast) Nze Chidi Duru, among others.
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