By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The build-up to the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State has taken yet another major turn, with the defection of over 1,500 members and foot soldiers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), further swelling the ranks of the ruling party in the grassroots ahead of the polls.
The latest wave of defections and the reception party for the defectors, which took place over the weekend at the residence of the State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma, in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, saw several APC stakeholders, former party officers, and grassroots mobilizers return “home” to APGA in what many described as both a reunion and a political realignment. Among the notable defectors was Hon. Faith Ekwunife, a former Councillor, former APC Secretary, and strong mobilizer, who openly declared that it has become crystal clear that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo will secure a landslide victory in the forthcoming election.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Hon. Ekwunife lauded Soludo’s visible achievements in infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and social welfare, noting that the evidence of performance had left the opposition hollow and demoralized. “It is already becoming obvious that Soludo will win this election convincingly. The good works are there for all to see, and Ndi Anambra are not blind,” she declared, assuring that she and her colleagues would not only work tirelessly to deliver Obosi but also mobilize support across Idemili and beyond.
Also speaking, some other defectors including Ikebuaku Chukwudi, Success Okwudili, and Mrs. Victoria Nkiruka Chuke described their return to APGA as “a great homecoming.” They admitted that they had been the wrong platform while in the opposition but had now seen the light in APGA, especially with the transformational style of the Soludo Administration. They further pledged loyalty to the party, stressing that they have “decisively come home to build Anambra and ensure it continues shining as the true Light of the Nation.”
Earlier welcoming the new members, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma described the defections as living proof of the wide acceptance of Soludo’s “Solution Government” and its impact-driven governance.
According to him, APGA’s strength is not built on vote-buying but on conviction, performance, and trust. “Today, we are preparing for November 8, and by the grace of God, APC foot soldiers have moved into APGA. Their reason is very simple; it is because the good work of Governor Soludo,” he said.
Highlighting some of the good works of the Governor, Commissioner Okoma said Soludo was the first governor to bring real infrastructure to Obosi, including road construction, erosion gully control, among other sectors that have felt the “Solution Touch.”
“Education is free from nursery to SS3, roads are being built across the state, thousands of teachers and health workers have been recruited, hospitals are being upgraded, antenatal services and child deliveries are free across the state, farmers and households are being empowered under the ongoing agricultural revolution. With all these achievements, impacts and the ongoing defections, APC should be praying to even get up to ten votes in Obosi on election day,” he said.
He further emphasized that Soludo’s government has remained intentional about creating a livable and prosperous homeland, through his massive infrastructural development landmark projects across the state, such as the Ekwulobia Flyover, several kilometers of road, the Solution Fun City, the New Anambra Government House (Light House), among other critical projects, completed and ongoing.
On his part, the President-General of Obosi, Barr. Chimezie Obi, while not openly declaring partisan loyalty, commended Soludo’s administration for what he described as unprecedented attention to Obosi. He listed numerous road projects, bridges, erosion control works, and smart school initiatives in the community, alongside the appointment of their son as Works Commissioner and their monarch as Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTUC).
“As PG, I speak with facts. Soludo is working, and as Obosi people, we are proud of his achievements,” he said, urging the community to reciprocate by voting massively for APGA in the coming election.
In their separate remarks, other community leaders and APGA critical stakeholders in the area, including the Deputy Mayor for the Idemili North Local Government Area, Lady Phyna Uche Onwuachu; the Chairman of APGA Central and Ire Ward, Hon. Nze Onyedika Abanobi; Chief Chudi Onwuachu and Hon. Anthony Amaifeobu, joined voice to the good works of the Governor. They also praised Soludo’s visionary leadership, commended Commissioner Okoma’s grassroots mobilization, and warned against being deceived by opposition propaganda or short-term monetary inducements.
Earlier in his own contribution, APGA stalwart, Chief Alex Omezie Chukwurah (Oshia Obosi), who welcomed the defectors, also pledged cash rewards to galvanize electoral strength in the community, announcing a N10 million prize for any ward that secures at least 80 percent of the total registered votes for APGA, and N5 million for the ward that clinches second place by getting a minimum of 50 percent of the total registered votes for APGA, in the November 8 governorship election.
While noting that the guber poll will be the best opportunity to pay Governor Soludo back for his good works, Chukwurah urged the members and Ndị Obosi in general to work with commitment and avoid being distracted by opposition tactics.
The event, which attracted party faithful, community leaders, party stakeholders, and jubilant supporters, was marked by solidarity songs, dances, distribution of APGA uniforms to the new members, as well as reaffirmations of loyalty to APGA and Governor Soludo.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that this latest political development in Idemili North is coming just months after another wave of mass defections from APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APGA in the same community, a development many say further tilts the political balance in favour of Soludo ahead of the November poll.
