The Director-General of the All Progressives Grand Alliance campaign organisation, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, has said that the party and its candidates remained focused on the future of Anambra as the campaigns for the November 8, 2025, governorship election in the state gather momentum.
As the November 8, 2025, Anambra governorship election draws closer, political campaigns have intensified, with candidates and their supporters trading words over credibility and competence.
APGA, which currently holds power in the state, has the governor of the state, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, as the governorship candidate and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, as his running mate.
In a statement issued on Friday, Chukwulobelu, who is also the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, said the issue of who has the basic qualifications to govern Anambra has remained a legitimate issue in the electioneering process, both now and in the future, adding that Anambra is far too sophisticated to be governed by semi-illiterates and/or people of easy virtues.
The statement read in part, “The 2025 Anambra governorship election is on November 8, and various political parties/candidates are exercising their constitutional rights to campaign for the office. Frustrated by the general opinion polls that the Soludo-Ibezim ticket is the consensus of Ndi Anambra for the election, some candidates are beginning to show desperation with the intent to distract or destroy.
“We are working hard to earn every vote based upon the value that we have created and will still create for the people. But the issue of who has the basic qualifications to govern Anambra will remain a legitimate issue in the campaign — both now and in the future! Anambra is far too sophisticated to be governed by semi-illiterates and/or people of easy virtues.
“The recent tantrums and despicable obscenities by the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Uche Ekwunife, are one example. Our response is that we will remain razor-focused on the issues about the future of Anambra, and no number of fabricated obscenities can distract us. We will not take the bait to get into the gutter with them. And we will not dignify them either!
“However, part of the fundamental issues for every election is the qualification of the candidates to hold such office. The Constitution of Nigeria prescribes a minimum academic qualification for the office of governor of a state. For Anambra, a state known for excellence (home to some of the most educated leaders Nigeria has ever had).”
He claimed that while the candidates of other political parties have lesser qualifications, some have presented fake and spurious credentials to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“The past civilian governors of the state since 1999 include Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Dr. Chris Ngige, Peter Obi, and Willie Obiano.
“Our current governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo (B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. Economics, UNN), is a globally acclaimed professor of economics, consultant, and technocrat — with hundreds of international awards for excellent public service, including the Financial Times of London/Banker award as Best Governor of a Central Bank in the World; the New African Magazine’s (London) recognition as one of the 100 most influential Africans; and even celebrated by his alma mater, UNN, at its 44th Founders’ Day as the University’s Most Distinguished Alumnus.
“His deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, is a medical doctor with accomplished public service. Together, both are leading a major social and economic transformation of Anambra State, and the evidence is clear. Our campaign is rooted in over 120 sterling achievements of the Soludo-Ibezim administration in barely three years without borrowing, and a robust plan for the next four years.
“With dozens of awards of excellence by newspapers, magazines, and institutions as well as endorsements by every stakeholder group in Anambra, Ndi Anambra are happy and clear about their choice. The last bye-election was a mock for the governorship, and APGA scored 75 per cent of the votes. November will be even more emphatic.”
According to him, part of the ethical and moral rebirth that the Soludo administration is executing is to rid Anambra of fake influences on its children and youths, such as influences that discourage hard work and enterprise and promote success by magical means.
“That is why we are pursuing fake native doctors (Okeite Dibia). Those who pay and obtain fake degrees and parade fake titles are also bad influences on our children and youth. It matters more for people seeking to lead the state. That is the issue, and it remains a legitimate issue for the election.
“From the forms filled by each candidate and submitted to INEC, we can confirm that the ticket of APC candidates has the worst qualification for the office of governor in the history of Anambra State.
“The APC deputy governorship candidate has, in an audio recording, admitted that she is already inside the mud and would fabricate and throw mud at our candidate and at everyone around him, including his family — for exposing some discrepancies in their qualifications.
“Very laughable is the ignoble attempt to smear the First Lady of Anambra State, a woman celebrated as virtuous and a model of womanhood and motherhood. As a campaign organisation, we are focused on the future of Anambra. We do not take the support of Ndi Anambra for granted,” the statement concluded.
