By Ifeyinwa Ogwo
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has declared an end to the era of issuing party tickets to aspirants by endorsement or through the influence of party officials. He stated that members must now comply with laid-down rules, secure nomination through due process, and submit themselves to the electorate for final decision.
He made the remarks at the inaugural South-East Zonal Stakeholders Meeting of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), held at the International Convention Centre, Awka.
Governor Soludo observed that while many individuals joined the party either because of its mass appeal or for personal gain, such practices must cease. “We are committed to building APGA into a nationwide movement, upholding its founding objectives, prohibiting the sale of tickets to the highest bidders, and rewarding long-term loyal members who are qualified to serve,” he stated.
In his address, the APGA National Chairman, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, commended Governor Soludo for facilitating the meeting and pledged to replicate similar engagements nationwide to consolidate the party’s structure across Nigeria.
Barr. Ezeokenwa reaffirmed that the party would conduct its primaries in line with the principles of fairness, justice, credibility, and transparency, in compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides for direct primaries and mandatory membership registration.
He explained that Section 77 of the new Electoral Act mandates digital registration for all political parties, a process pioneered by Governor Soludo, which made APGA the first party to digitise its membership database in 2024. “This digitisation ensures that members’ names are duly captured in the register. Primaries will be conducted by open ballot, known as Option A4,” he said.
Also speaking, the South-East Vice Chairman of APGA, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, commended Governor Soludo for providing stability and leadership during the party’s periods of crisis. “You have recorded extraordinary success in governance and transformed Anambra in the areas of infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and roads. This is our campaign message. Today’s gathering is not merely political; it is a renewal of our commitment to APGA’s destiny,” he remarked.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu; members of the State House of Assembly; and other APGA stakeholders from the South-East zone.
Ifeyinwa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
