‘Progressive’ Parties Face Off In Anambra By-Elections To Replace Ubah, Azuka
Anambra State is in the middle of a tense and unpredictable by-election today (Saturday), with voting underway across eight local government areas to fill vacant seats in both the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly.
The election will decide who replaces the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who died in London after a prolonged illness, and Justice Azuka of the Labour Party, a state lawmaker abducted and murdered by gunmen.
The contest has already proven fierce, particularly in the Anambra South Senatorial District, where the APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are locked in a heated rivalry.
“The election is going to be a clash of the titans and there are major players. Also, this is Anambra State. You can’t predict who will become the winner until the election is over.
“Anambra is a war zone when it comes to elections. There is no small or big boy,” a political stakeholder, Tobenna Obiano told THE WHISTLER.
Senatorial By-Election
APGA’s candidate, Emmanuel Nwachukwu, who has Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s backing, faces questions over his low profile and the controversies surrounding his emergence.
“APGA could have had an easy victory if they had chosen a strong candidate with a substantial following, such as Ebuka Onunkwo, the Chairman and CEO of Sea Horse. He would have been a powerful candidate and would have made the campaign much smoother.”
“Onunkwo is liked even by those from outside the divide, but the primaries of APGA were a sham, and even those who contested the primaries weren’t allowed to contest which brought a divide within the party,” Obiano observed.
On the APC side, veteran politician and former commissioner Azuka Okwuosa has mounted a strong challenge, but doubts remain over whether the APC can overcome mistrust in the Southeast.
Also in the race is Chris Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), often dismissed as inactive, and businessman Donald Amamgbo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who relies more on personal goodwill than grassroots strength.
State Assembly By-Election
In Onitsha North Constituency 1, APGA’s candidate, legal practitioner and cybersecurity analyst Mimi Ifeoma Azikiwe (popularly known as Mimiy Ikpeazu on Facebook), is in a close battle with Justina Azuka of the ADC, widow of the slain Labour Party lawmaker.
Justina’s candidacy, which gained late momentum after endorsements from Peter Obi, former APGA chairman Victor Umeh, and businessman Obiora Okonkwo, has turned the race into one of the most closely watched contests of the day.
Critics argue that her bid risks making legislative representation a family affair, but others view it as a symbolic continuation of her husband’s legacy. Obiano had accused Governor Soludo of fueling sympathy for her when he introduced Azikiwe at a rally as “the one who would replace the one who died.”
Although both candidates were considered qualified for the seat, Obiano hoped that APGA upheld “moral conscience and justification” and pave the way for Justina’s victory as a tribute to her husband’s death.
He stated that the governor has taken an arrogant approach, not only mocking the dead but also fiercely contesting Justina’s political ambition to secure the constituency for his party.
Obiano stated that this contest is “even more shaky and noisy” due to the circumstances surrounding Justina’s entry into the race.
Meanwhile, as ballots continue to be cast this afternoon, the bye-election is shaping up as a test of strength for all the major parties ahead of Anambra’s November 8 governorship election.
The Police Command had restricted vehicular movement from 6am to 6pm across the affected areas, including Nnewi North and South, Orumba North and South, Ekwusigo, Aguata, Ihiala, Onitsha North Constituency 1, and Awka South (home to INEC headquarters), to ensure a peaceful exercise.
‘Progressive’ Parties Face Off In Anambra By-Elections To Replace Ubah, Azuka is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
