By David Onwuchekwa
The August 16 senatorial district by-election in Anambra South was more than just a contest for a vacant seat. It was a litmus test for the strength of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the political weight of Governor Charles Soludo as November 8 fast approaches.
The victory for Chief Emma Nwachukwu reaffirmed APGA’s dominance in Anambra politics and provided early signals for the November 8 governorship race.
At the heart of APGA’s success was Soludo’s steady hand. By urging a consensus among the aspirants, the Governor pre-empted the kind of internal rancor that has historically weakened parties during elections.
His achievements in office, from road infrastructure and urban renewal projects to expanding social programmes, gave the party a campaign edge.
Voters could easily tie APGA’s promises to the visible impact of Soludo’s governance.
Chief Akai Egwuonwu’s role was equally decisive. Having contested for the ticket, he accepted the outcome of the conclave that produced Nwachukwu and went further to mobilize his formidable political structure for the campaign.
Chief Egwuonwu’s humility and loyalty ensured that APGA entered the polls as a united house, presenting Nwachukwu as a consensus candidate rather than a divisive figure. That singular move blunted opposition attacks and consolidated voter confidence.
The same cannot be said of the opposition. The All Progressives Congress (APC), despite fielding an experienced candidate in Sir Azuka Okwuosa, struggled to make meaningful inroads. The party still carries the burden of weak grassroots penetration in Anambra, while internal divisions and limited mobilization capacity left it unable to challenge APGA’s hold.
For the PDP, Labour Party, YPP, and others, their performance was largely peripheral, reduced to statistical mentions rather than real threats.
Allegations of vote buying by both APGA and APC cast a shadow on the exercise, but even those could not mask the overwhelming tilt in APGA’s favour. In several polling units, the margins were lopsided, with Nwachukwu polling more than ten times the combined votes of his closest challengers.
What does this mean for November 8 governorship election?
Simply put, APGA enters the governorship election with momentum. The party has demonstrated organizational discipline, the ability to manage internal contests, and the power of incumbency.
For Soludo, this by-election was not just about Nwachukwu; it was a dress rehearsal for his own re-election bid.
For the opposition, the message is clear: unless they find a way to build alliances, reconnect with the grassroots, and present a compelling alternative, the November election could become another landslide for APGA.
The by-election has spoken. It says Anambra remains APGA territory for now.
