Anambra Guber: Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu clinches APC Governorship ticket

Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu has emerged as the governorship flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2025 Anambra State election after a dramatic and disorganized primary election held in Awka on Saturday.

Ukachukwu won convincingly with 1,455 votes, far ahead of his closest challenger, Valentine Ozigbo, who managed just 67 votes. Other aspirants in the race were Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo and Hon. Edozie Madu.

The primary exercise was marred by confusion and irregularities. While the process was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., accreditation was still ongoing as late as 7 p.m.

Reports revealed that delegates were accredited at various unknown hotels around Awka, while hundreds of APC members waited in vain at the official venue, Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, where voting had not commenced by 6:30 p.m.

Violence also erupted earlier in the day when suspected political thugs, allegedly loyal to one of the aspirants, attacked delegates. Several persons were injured, despite the presence of security operatives.

Amid the confusion, three aspirants, Sir Paul Chukwuma, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, and Chief Chukwuma Umeoji, pulled out of the race.

Chukwuma also resigned from the APC, describing the party as now being infiltrated by “unprogressive elements.”

In his 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.”

In his acceptance speech, Ukachukwu expressed strong optimism about leading APC to victory in the state. He boldly declared: “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.”

The Anambra governorship election, scheduled for November 2025, is Nigeria’s next major off-season poll.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo has also clinched the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ticket in bid for re-election.