By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for Anambra State in the upcoming November 2025 elections.
Ukachukwu secured the party’s nomination after an impressive victory in the primary election held at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Center in Awka, spanning from late Saturday night into the early hours of Sunday.
In a decisive win, Ukachukwu garnered 1,455 votes, significantly surpassing his nearest competitor, Valentine Ozigbo, who received just 67 votes. Other candidates in the race included Johnbosco Onunkwo, with 26 votes, and Edozie Madu, who managed 8 votes. A total of 26 votes were declared invalid.
The results were announced by Mr. Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State and Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, who declared Ukachukwu as the party’s official candidate, referring to him as “the lion of APC in Anambra State.”
“By the power vested in me as the chief returning officer, I hereby declare him the winner of the APC primaries in Anambra State,” said Governor Otu.
He commended the security personnel, election committees, aspirants, and party members for their contributions to the successful conduct of the event. Emphasizing unity, he urged all members to support Ukachukwu to ensure the party’s success in the November elections.
“There are no victors or vanquished in today’s election. Our party has already resolved that the victorious candidate will receive the backing of all,” he added.
In his acceptance speech, Prince Ukachukwu expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fostering a transparent electoral process.
He also extended his gratitude to the APC National Working Committee, Governor Otu, his fellow aspirants, and delegates for their roles in the primary’s success.
He called on his fellow aspirants to unify and support his candidacy, stating, “The most important objective now is to deliver Anambra to the APC.”
Ukachukwu highlighted his core influence in Anambra politics, promising to maintain the trust of party members and the state’s population. “I have played a crucial role in the emergence of successive governors in Anambra over the years. While I have acted as a godfather, I am now ready to father my own campaign,” he asserted.
He reiterated his commitment to challenging the current governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and confidently declared, “We will deliver Anambra to the APC. Let me be clear: no candidate has ever won the governorship of Anambra without my support. This will not change this time.”
Additionally, Mr. Basil Ejidike, the state chairman of the party, praised the President and the national and state working committees for their efforts, emphasizing the necessity of unity to achieve their collective goals.
Ejike affirmed that those who withdrew from the primaries and one aspirant who left the party are commendable democratic citizens.
He adds that seven aspirants bought forms, but only four contested as he wished them all well.
The APC has come to stay and govern in Anambra State,” Ejidike affirmed.