Anambra 2025: Will APGA’s winning streak survive?

Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Anambra State has witnessed the leadership of five governors, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Chris Ngige, Peter Obi, Willie Obiano, and the incumbent, Charles Soludo.

Yet, what sets Anambra apart is not just its succession of leaders but the unbroken political dominance of one party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which has held the reins of power since 2006.

The story of APGA in Anambra is one of legal resilience, political endurance, and regional loyalty.

It began with Peter Obi’s courtroom battles after the disputed 2003 election.

His victory, delivered by the Court of Appeal in 2006, changed the political equation in Nigeria’s Southeast.

It was more than a win for APGA, it was a victory for persistence and faith in judicial justice.

That moment laid the foundation for what would become a near two-decade streak of political control.

But APGA’s survival has not been without turbulence.

Obi’s impeachment in 2006 and his eventual reinstatement by the courts tested the party’s stability.

His subsequent Supreme Court victory in 2007 not only secured his tenure but also redefined the interpretation of gubernatorial terms in Nigeria.

By 2010, Obi’s re-election solidified APGA’s place in Anambra’s heart, transforming it from a regional novelty into a formidable political institution.

The baton passed smoothly to Willie Obiano in 2014, a rare feat in Nigeria’s often chaotic succession politics.

Backed by Obi, Obiano’s emergence showed APGA’s strength in managing internal transition.

His landslide re-election in 2017, winning all 21 local government areas, reaffirmed the party’s entrenched grassroots influence.

Then came Charles Soludo in 2021, an economist and technocrat whose candidacy symbolized continuity with innovation.

His victory, despite internal party squabbles and external threats, showed that APGA’s foundation was still strong. Under Soludo, the party seeks to modernize its appeal while maintaining the spirit of “Nke a bu nke anyi”.

This is ours, a slogan that captures APGA’s regional pride and connection to the people.

As Anambra prepares for the November 8, 2025, governorship election, the stakes are high. Soludo will again fly the APGA flag, facing off against George Moghalu of the Labour Party, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, and others eager to end the party’s 19-year reign.

For the electorate, this election is not merely about personalities but about legacy, whether APGA’s message of regional identity and continuity still resonates in a time when Nigeria’s political map is shifting.

APGA’s dominance in Anambra has become a political case study, a testament to the power of structure, local appeal, and judicial perseverance.

From the court battles that delivered Peter Obi to power, to Obiano’s sweeping victories, and Soludo’s technocratic ascent, APGA has managed to blend emotion, loyalty, and strategy into a lasting brand.

Nearly two decades on, the question remains: can APGA sustain this hold in a state known for its political sophistication and restless electorate?

The answer will not only shape Anambra’s next chapter but could also determine whether the party’s regional philosophy can evolve into a national force.

By Very Nigerian Editorial Board

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