In a sensational twist to Anambra’s governorship race, Valentine Ozigbo has fired off explosive accusations, alleging that Governor Chukwuma Soludo is the shadow financier behind Senator Nicholas Ukachukwu’s landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary. The former Labour Party candidate, now a key APC figure, claims the APGA governor is pulling strings behind the scenes to sabotage the opposition’s chances ahead of the November 8, 2025, election—by propping up a weak APC contender to clear the path for his own re-election agenda.
The APC primary, held on April 5, 2025, saw Ukachukwu clinch the party’s ticket with 1,455 votes, while Ozigbo trailed with a mere 67 votes. Ozigbo contends that the process was marred by irregularities, including the alleged involvement of thugs and police officers disrupting the delegate accreditation process at the Beautiful Gate Hotel in Awka. Reports indicate that Ukachukwu’s supporters, with apparent support from security personnel, prevented delegates not aligned with his campaign from entering the venue, leading to widespread condemnation from other aspirants and party members.
In an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ozigbo accused Soludo of secretly financing Ukachukwu’s campaign to weaken the APC’s chances in the upcoming election. He alleged that Soludo had privately urged him to step aside before the primary and redirected resources to Ukachukwu after he refused. “Let me make yet another allegation: Soludo is funding Nicholas to weaken the APC. And the only way we can prove this is to invite us to your show and bring a Bible to swear, because these things can’t be easily evidenced,” Ozigbo declared.
Ozigbo further criticized Ukachukwu’s track record, questioning his political experience and previous electoral performances. “Who is Nicholas Ukachukwu? How come he has never won anything since his time at the House of Representatives? Why does he show up at every election? How come the people I defeated are now the ones defeating him?” Ozigbo remarked.
The APC primary was not without controversy. Several aspirants, including Sir Paul Chukwuma, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, and Hon. Chuma Umeoji, withdrew from the race, citing procedural opacity and lack of transparency in the party’s processes. Additionally, reports emerged of Ukachukwu’s significant financial contributions to the party, including a N30 million donation to the state executive and N600,000 to each of the 21 local government chairmen. These financial gestures have raised questions about the influence of money in the party’s internal processes.
Ozigbo has appealed the primary’s outcome to the APC Appeals Committee, labeling the process as “a charade, a well-orchestrated heist designed to deliver a predetermined outcome.” He alleged that non-members were listed as delegates, loyalists were barred or intimidated, and vote counts were manipulated. Despite these challenges, Ozigbo remains committed to the APC, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding democratic values. “This is not just about me. It is about the soul of our democracy, about the values we claim to represent, and about the future we owe our children. I will stay the course,” he asserted.
Governor Soludo has yet to publicly respond to Ozigbo’s accusations. The unfolding situation has intensified political rivalries in the state, with some APC members expressing disillusionment and considering alternative alliances. Former APC chieftain and ex-member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Ifeanyi Ibezi, has pledged support for Governor Soludo, citing dissatisfaction with the APC’s internal processes and Ukachukwu’s candidacy.
As the election date approaches, the APC faces mounting pressure to address these allegations and restore confidence in its internal processes. The party’s ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial in determining its prospects in the upcoming governorship election.
Discussion about this post