Anambra 2025: APC Faces Mounting Pressure Over Zoning Agreement

Ahead of the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) faces a challenging situation.

Anambra has an unwritten zoning arrangement for the governorship position, rotating between the state’s three senatorial zones. This arrangement became more prominent in 2012 during the latter part of then-Governor Peter Obi’s administration.

Obi insisted that the then-ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) produce a candidate from Anambra North to ensure balance. Previously, Mbadinuju from the South had completed a four-year term, and Obi from the Central zone had served for eight years. Before them, 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, was to ensure equity and give them a chance at the governorship. This led to the emergence of Obiano from the North, solidifying the zoning agreement.

With Prof. Chukwuma Soludo nearing the end of his first term, the clamour for the next governorship candidate has intensified. However, contrary to the zoning claims, the APC seems poised to open the contest to all interested candidates.

In June, a group of party elders under the APC Elders Forum, led by Chief Innocent Obi, reinforced the Anambra zoning formula. They argued that to win the 2025 governorship election, the APC must field a southern candidate in line with the zoning agreement.

Obi stated, “For me, an agreement is an agreement whether written or not. There’s a system already at work in Anambra State. Anybody who denies that is not saying the truth. As elders, we should say it the way it is.”

Various opinions have been expressed on the matter. Party chieftain Mr. Pope Amaefuna argued that failing to field a strong southern candidate would cost the APC victory. He emphasized that Anambra’s political stability is thanks to the zoning principle, and deviating from this would undermine the party’s chances.

Conversely, the APC Progressives Media group argued that zoning arguments aim to mislead the APC into a political trap. They stated that the APC in Anambra has no history of zoning the gubernatorial election and has always chosen candidates based on popularity and acceptance.

Supporting this stance, the APC Anambra State Chapter, through its State Publicity Secretary, Dr. Valentine Iyke-Oliobi, dismissed the zoning clamour, emphasizing that the party has no zoning arrangements and provides a level playing field for all aspirants.

Political analysts have predicted that attempting to disrupt the existing zoning arrangement could backfire on the APC. Mr. Chijioke Eze highlighted that the APC has consistently lost elections despite its open contest policy, suggesting a need for change. Dr. Justin Ogoo Nwankwo added that APC should focus on equity and capacity, fielding a strong candidate from the southern zone to improve their chances.

So far, two party members have expressed interest in vying for the governorship ticket: Senator Andy Ubah from Anambra South and Mr. Paul Chukwuma from Anambra North.