Anambra 2025: Power, Money & Influence Collide In High-Stakes Governorship Race

By NJORIGE LYNUS

As Anambra State heads to the polls this Saturday, the 2025 governorship election is shaping up to be far more than a contest of political parties. Beneath the surface lies a complex web of influence—where power blocs, wealthy financiers, and political legacies intersect to determine who controls the seat of power in Awka for the next four years.

The Contenders and the Stakes

Sixteen candidates are in the race, led by the incumbent, Governor Charles Soludo, who is seeking a second term under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). For Soludo, a former Central Bank Governor, this election is both a referendum on his performance and a battle to preserve APGA’s political dominance in Anambra, a state it has ruled since 2006.

Soludo’s campaign has focused on infrastructure renewal, youth empowerment, and rural development. Backed by APGA’s formidable grassroots structure across 21 local government areas, the governor enjoys the advantage of incumbency and deep local penetration through traditional institutions and ward captains.

The Labour Party (LP), powered by the Obidient Movement, presents the strongest challenge. Its candidate, George Moghalu, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, is running on a platform of transparency, accountability, and reform. With the unwavering support of Peter Obi, LP’s national leader and a former governor of the state, the party draws energy from Anambra’s youth, professionals, and diaspora communities.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), though historically weak in the state, is banking on its federal connections. Its candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, a businessman and philanthropist, is running a campaign centred on economic transformation and industrialisation. Backed by figures such as Chris Ngige, former Anambra governor and ex-minister, Ukachukwu hopes to ride on Abuja’s goodwill to close the gap.

The PDP, once a formidable force in Anambra, remains fragmented and weakened, though it could still influence the outcome through local alliances and vote-splitting.

The Power Brokers and Political Heavyweights

In Anambra politics, influence often outweighs ideology. A cast of political veterans and regional powerbrokers will shape voter decisions through endorsements, funding, and strategic mobilisation.

The trio of serving senators—Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central), Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North), and Emmanuel Nwachukwu (APGA, Anambra South)—are anchoring their parties’ presence in their respective districts. Their grassroots machinery and local credibility could prove decisive.

Former governors remain critical players. Peter Obi’s support gives LP a massive psychological edge, while Willie Obiano, Soludo’s predecessor, retains influence among APGA loyalists and traditional rulers. Chris Ngige, though less active, still commands respect among older voters and APC members.

The Money Behind the Politics

Anambra’s politics is inextricably tied to its wealth. The state, home to some of Nigeria’s most successful entrepreneurs, is witnessing the quiet but powerful influence of billionaires who see politics as an extension of business strategy.

Oil magnate Arthur Eze has openly endorsed Soludo, providing APGA with both financial strength and elite validation. On the other side, Peter Obi’s alignment with Moghalu strengthens LP’s financial and moral credibility.

Other influential business figures—Cosmas Maduka, Emeka Offor, Obiora Okonkwo, Andy Uba, and Allen Onyema—have yet to declare openly, but their networks in markets, industries, and diaspora communities are expected to play critical behind-the-scenes roles.

The Battlefronts: Structure, Youth, and Strategy

The outcome may depend on how each party balances structure and momentum.

• APGA boasts deep-rooted ward structures and a loyal base.

• LP relies on youth-driven enthusiasm and online mobilisation.

• APC hopes federal might and elite alliances can compensate for weak local presence.

Key battlegrounds—Onitsha North/South, Nnewi North/South, and Awka North/South—will likely decide the election. These are the state’s most populous and politically active zones, where turnout and logistics could swing the final result.

Security, too, will shape participation. With sporadic violence and voter apathy in parts of the South-east, whichever party can guarantee safety and confidence may benefit from higher turnout.

What the Outcome Could Mean

If Soludo wins, it would reaffirm APGA’s dominance and sustain Anambra’s tradition of local political identity. A strong performance by LP would confirm the growing political power of the Obidient Movement and possibly reshape South-east politics ahead of 2027. An APC breakthrough, though unlikely, would signal a deeper federal penetration into the region.

Whatever the outcome, Anambra 2025 promises more than a change—or continuity—of leadership. It is a reflection of how power, money, and influence continue to shape the destiny of Nigeria’s most politically sophisticated state.