By Chimaobi Afiauwa, Abuja
Amid the unfolding political permutation in Anambra State, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is intensifying efforts to expand its influence in the Southeast, setting its sights on unseating Governor Chukwuma Soludo in the state’s 2024 gubernatorial election.
The APC’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, on Wednesday, confidently expressed the party’s readiness to secure victory in the next gubernatorial, state, and National Assemblies elections in Anambra, a hitherto stronghold of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Ganduje, drawing on the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, outlined a strategic blueprint aimed at politically ‘liberating’ the region.
His remarks followed a closed-door meeting at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, which included Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and former Anambra governorship candidates, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and Uche Ekwunife, who defected to the APC from other parties.
Expressing satisfaction with the presence of notable figures from Anambra and the wider Southeast within the APC, Ganduje underscored the significance of unity for amplifying the region’s voice within national politics.
He affirmed that the APC was poised to sweep forthcoming elections in Anambra and beyond, signaling a strong entry of the South-East into the national political arena under the APC banner.
“The calibre of people that are here today from Anambra, and not only from Anambra State but the South-East geopolitical zone, made me happy. I am so happy that they are here in the name of the APC. I would like to let you know that Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved our blueprint for the political liberation of South East to the APC. He has approved the political emancipation, intervention and de-marginalisation of the South-East.
“Be with one voice because if you speak with one voice, your voice will be louder. We need you to be united.
“So you can see that Anambra APC will win next governorship, National Assembly, State Assembly and other grassroots elections. What we are simply telling you is that the South-East zone is coming into the national politics and the region will be dominated by the APC. That is why they are here today,” Ganduje said.
Uzodimma echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for the APC to serve as the platform to launch the Southeast into the national political realm.
He emphasized the party’s determination to exert influence across the region, aiming for APC dominance in the five states of the Southeast.
Uzodimma’s words, “Arising from the statement of the National Chairman of our great party which is consistent to our desire as a political party to dominate. It is important that APC as a political party becomes the vehicle for the South-East region to be fully integrated into the national project, that is the Nigerian project.
“So we are determined in our region to be part and parcel of the Nigerian politics. Consistent with that, we are going to do our best to ensure the five states in the South-eastern region are dominated by APC by endearing our party to the people.”
The leaders’ statements underscore a concerted effort by the APC to solidify its foothold in the Southeast and foster a stronger presence in the country’s broader political landscape.
Despite not being widely accepted in the Southeast, the party controls two states in the region–Imo and Ebonyi– and is looking forward to adding more to its controllership, probably starting with Anambra.
