As the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State approaches, the All Progressives Congress (APC) faces increasing pressure. Anambra State has an informal zoning arrangement for the governorship, rotating among its three senatorial zones. This practice gained prominence in 2012 during the final days of Governor Peter Obi’s administration. Obi advocated for the then ruling party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to select a candidate from Anambra North to ensure balance, following Mbadinuju’s term from the South and Obi’s own eight-year tenure from the Central zone. Before this, Ngige, who governed for three years, was also from the Central zone.
Obi’s insistence on a candidate from the North, considered a minority zone, aimed at maintaining equity, fearing that without such measures, the North might never secure the governorship. The election of Obiano from the North solidified this zoning agreement.
As Professor Chukwuma Soludo nears the end of his first term, the debate over governorship zoning intensifies. Contrary to zoning claims, the APC seems inclined to open the contest to all zones. In June, the APC Elders Forum, led by Chief Innocent Obi, reinforced the zoning formula, advocating for a southern candidate to unseat the ruling party in 2025. Obi emphasized that agreements, even unwritten, should be honored, noting that deviation from this principle previously cost a party its success when their candidate was from the wrong zone.
The party’s elders expressed their preference for a southern candidate, aligning with the zoning agreement, which they believe should see the South completing an additional four years. Party chieftain Mr. Pope Amaefuna argued in a recent opinion piece that not fielding a popular southern candidate would jeopardize the party’s victory. He highlighted the stability and fairness brought by zoning, with major parties adhering to this principle over the past decade.
Amaefuna warned that failing to select a candidate from the South could undermine the remaining four-year tenure for Anambra South, potentially allowing a candidate from another zone to claim an eight-year tenure, which he deemed undesirable for Anambra. He stressed that ignoring the zoning formula would likely result in electoral defeat, asserting that those opposing zoning were compromising the party’s interests.
Conversely, the APC Progressives Media group argued in a press release that the zoning advocacy aimed to mislead Anambra APC into a political trap, threatening the party’s chances in 2025. They claimed that the proponents of these articles were not genuine party members and lacked affiliation with the APC.
The traditions of the APC in Anambra State seem to be misunderstood. Historically, the APC in Anambra has not practiced zoning for the gubernatorial elections. Candidates have always contested based on their popularity and acceptance within the party and the electorate. For instance, in 2013, while APGA zoned its candidate to Anambra North, the APC selected a candidate from Anambra Central, with contenders from all zones participating in the primaries. Similarly, in 2017, the APC candidate was chosen for his popularity rather than any zoning arrangement, with aspirants from all zones competing, as seen again in 2021.
The APC Anambra State Chapter, supporting the stance of the Progressives Media, clarified that the party does not follow any zoning agreement. The APC has never been involved in any zoning deal with other political parties. The party has consistently provided a level playing field for all aspirants regardless of their senatorial zones. Members are urged to disregard any publications suggesting an existing zoning arrangement by the APC.
Despite these clarifications, political analysts warn that the APC could harm its chances by ignoring the current zoning arrangement, which has worked smoothly. Mr. Chijioke Eze, a political analyst, remarked that the APC cannot continue with the same strategy and expect different results. He noted that the party’s insistence on an open contest has repeatedly led to losses, suggesting that either the APC is not ready for change or is not serious about winning the governorship.
Dr. Justin Ogoo Nwankwo highlighted that Anambra South is crucial for the 2025 election. He argued that for the APC to perform well, it must field a candidate from the southern zone who can challenge Soludo, emphasizing the importance of selecting a popular and capable candidate. Despite the APC’s historical losses in the state, Nwankwo believes that with the right strategy and candidate, the party can win the governorship. He stressed the need for equity and capacity, urging the party to balance motivation and power-sharing principles.
Currently, two APC members have shown interest in the gubernatorial ticket: Senator Andy Ubah from Anambra South and Mr. Paul Chukwuma, a former National Auditor of the party from Anambra North.