Anambra Guber: Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu wins APC ticket

Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2025 Anambra State election following a tense and chaotic primary held in Awka on Saturday.

Ukachukwu secured the party’s ticket with a commanding 1,455 votes, defeating his closest rival, Valentine Ozigbo, who garnered just 67 votes. Other aspirants in the race included Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo and Hon. Edozie Madu.

The primary election was fraught with confusion and controversy. Accreditation was still ongoing as late as 7 p.m., far beyond the scheduled 9 a.m. start time. Delegates were reportedly accredited at various undisclosed hotels across Awka, while hundreds of party members remained at the official venue, the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, where the exercise had yet to commence by 6:30 p.m.

Earlier in the day, violence broke out when suspected thugs, allegedly linked to one of the aspirants, attacked delegates. Several individuals were injured despite the presence of security operatives.

The tension and irregularities led to the withdrawal of three aspirants—Sir Paul Chukwuma, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, and Chief Chukwuma Umeoji. Chukwuma also announced his resignation from the APC, citing the infiltration of “unprogressive elements” in the party. In a withdrawal letter, Prof. Okonkwo stated, “This decision to withdraw from the race was a difficult but necessary one because of some developments that are inconsistent with my principles and values. The project is not worth risking the lives of my supporters.”

Despite the controversy, Ukachukwu, while accepting his victory, expressed confidence in his ability to deliver Anambra State to the APC. “Nobody has won the governorship of Anambra without my support; it has never happened before. I have been playing godfatherism, but now I want to be the father of the father—no more godfather,” he declared.

The Anambra governorship election, set for November 2025, is Nigeria’s next major off-cycle poll. The incumbent Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, will be seeking re-election under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).