“I’m Deeply Worried APGA May Lose Anambra” — Chekwas Okorie

Chekwas Okorie, founder and first national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has voiced serious concerns about the party’s chances in the upcoming Anambra gubernatorial election. Speaking candidly in an interview, Okorie warned that internal divisions and poor leadership choices could cost the party its stronghold in the state.

According to Okorie, the election is shaping up to be a fierce three-horse race involving APGA, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Labour Party (LP). He acknowledged that while APGA currently holds power in Anambra, retaining it will be difficult due to the intense competition and growing discontent within the party’s ranks.

He highlighted the strategic importance of Anambra in national politics, pointing out that the APC is likely to intensify its campaign efforts in the state as President Bola Tinubu seeks to solidify support in the South East and South South, given the anticipated loss of support in the Northwest. Okorie suggested that this political calculus would result in substantial backing for the APC candidate in Anambra.

He also emphasized the significance of Peter Obi’s growing influence in the state and beyond. With a favourable Supreme Court judgment recently handed to his faction of the Labour Party, Obi’s presence poses a serious challenge to the other contenders. Okorie noted that Obi would likely view the Anambra election as a chance to reaffirm his political strength in his home state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, Okorie reserved his harshest criticism for APGA itself, particularly targeting Governor Charles Soludo. He accused Soludo of mishandling internal party affairs and alienating long-standing APGA members. Okorie believes Soludo’s combative approach to leadership, including his resistance to reconciliation efforts and the appointment of local government caretaker committees composed largely of former PDP members, has sown deep discord in the party.

He expressed disappointment that Soludo ignored warnings that “a house divided against itself will not stand,” and argued that the governor squandered resources on internal conflicts rather than consolidating support. Okorie also criticized Soludo’s self-declaration as the national leader of APGA, calling it an unconstitutional and egotistical move. He asserted that such a title is not conferred merely by virtue of holding office, and reminded the public of his own foundational role in establishing the party.

Okorie went on to say that Soludo’s alienation of party loyalists has weakened APGA’s grassroots structure—critical for mobilizing voters. While acknowledging that some internal issues exist in both APC and Labour Party, he maintained that the rift within APGA is the most serious and could be the party’s undoing.

Despite his criticisms, Okorie gave Soludo credit for tackling insecurity in Anambra State, acknowledging that the governor had made significant strides in addressing the crisis through decisive actions, particularly against hidden criminal networks operating under cultural and mystical guises.

Looking ahead, Okorie offered advice to Soludo: rebuild the fractured party and mend relationships with disaffected party members. He noted that while the election is still months away, political momentum will soon pick up as candidates are announced and campaigns begin in earnest. According to him, time remains, but the opportunity to repair the damage is rapidly narrowing.

He concluded by expressing hope that APGA can still fulfill its vision as a progressive, God-ordained political force in Nigeria, emphasizing the party’s longstanding commitment to restructuring, true federalism, and resource control—issues now widely embraced by others but originally championed by APGA. Okorie insisted that, despite current setbacks, the party’s foundation and principles would eventually allow it to reclaim its place in Nigerian politics.