By David Onwuchekwa
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Saturday, August 2, held a massive rally at the Ekwulobia Urban Stadium in Aguata Local Government Area to endorse Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for a second term and Chief Emma Nwachukwu as the party’s candidate for the Anambra South Senatorial district by-election scheduled for August 16.
The rally, which attracted a mammoth crowd of party faithful, traditional rulers, and political stakeholders, was graced by the National Chairman of APGA, State and Local Government party leaders, and other dignitaries.
Speaking during the event, Governor Soludo expressed surprise at the scale of the rally, noting that his campaign organization had not yet been officially inaugurated.
He revealed that the event was entirely funded by party loyalists who were committed to ensuring his re-election and the victory of Chief Emma Nwachukwu in the by-election.
“Emma Nwachukwu will go to Senate within the next two weeks. Vote for him to go to the National Assembly,” Soludo said.
“We need a synergy between the Senator and the State government. He will join the APGA caucus in the Senate to support ongoing efforts both at the center and in the State. Onodugo will win, ”he said.
Governor Soludo also used the opportunity to warn against political distractions, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to rig the forthcoming governorship election in the State.
He cautioned that any aspirant from Anambra South seeking the governorship position was only out to cause confusion and destabilize the existing political balance.
“Someone is promising to run for just one tenure. Anyone who says that needs psychiatric evaluation,” he said, dismissing such promises as deceitful.
“Anambra doesn’t need street urchins as Governor. This is the State that produced the likes of Zik of Africa, Dr. Nwafor Orizu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and Prof. Chinua Achebe, among others. It is too big for charlatans, ”he added.
He alleged that some governorship aspirants were only pretending to contest in order to extort funds from unsuspecting businessmen and the public.
Soludo insisted that his administration’s performance within the last four years justified his bid for re-election.
In a renewed call for peace and security, the Governor reiterated his amnesty offer to criminal elements hiding in Anambra’s forests, urging them to surrender their weapons and accept rehabilitation or face the full force of the law.
In a strong show of support, APGA stakeholders in Anambra South donated ₦100 million towards the Governor’s re-election campaign.
In addition, traditional rulers in the senatorial zone conferred on him the Olu Atuegwu chieftaincy title, an honour already bestowed on him by their counterparts in Anambra North and Central.
Among the dignitaries present were Chief Dr. Akai Egwuonwu, a former aspirant for the senatorial by-election, who pledged his full support for both Soludo’s second-term bid and Emma Nwachukwu’s Senate run.
“Governor Soludo deserves a second term for his remarkable performance. We must all rally behind Emma Nwachukwu for the Senate. APGA must win on all fronts,” Egwuonwu said.
Others at the event included former Deputy Governor Dame Virgy Etiaba; Dr. Christopher Eze, chairman of the occasion; Hon. Pascal Agbodike, member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency; Chief Emma Nwachukwu, the senatorial candidate; APGA National Chairman; and party leaders across the state.
The rally signaled a significant show of unity and strength within APGA ahead of the critical by-election and the 2025 governorship race in Anambra.
