APC Thanksgiving in Onitsha Turns Show of Strength for Ukachukwu, Ekwunife
The bustling commercial hub of the South East, Onitsha Anambra- State, was brought to a standstill this Sunday as a massive and enthusiastic crowd of supporters, well-wishers, and party faithful thronged the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity to celebrate a special Thanksgiving Mass.
The occasion was organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the upcoming November 8 Anambra State election, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, in gratitude for their recent victory in the party’s gubernatorial primary.
The Thanksgiving service marked the formal appreciation to God for what the APC candidates described as a peaceful, transparent, and successful primary process, culminating in the presentation of the party’s flag, its symbol of authority by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Attended by an impressive array of APC stalwarts, party officials, and prominent church figures, the event underscored the growing momentum behind the Ukachukwu-Ekwunife ticket.
The ceremony was officiated by Archbishop Valerian Maduka Okeke, Metropolitan of the Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, whose sermon emphasized spiritual rebirth and ethical leadership.
In his homily, drawn from Genesis 3:25, Archbishop Okeke reminded the congregation that the “tree of life,” once denied to humanity through the fall of Adam and Eve, has been restored through Christ’s redemptive sacrifice.
He challenged Christians particularly those in public life to emulate Christ’s example of humility, truth, and sacrificial love.
“The cross did not destroy Jesus,” “rather, it marked the beginning of his glory. Every follower of Christ must be ready to suffer for the sake of justice and righteousness.” he stated.
Addressing the occasion of World Communication Day, the Archbishop cautioned against the misuse of modern communication technology, stressing that it must serve as a vehicle for truth and constructive dialogue, not for the spread of misinformation and divisiveness.
Speaking briefly with journalists after the mass, Prince Ukachukwu expressed profound gratitude to God and the people of Anambra for their support during the primaries.
He said that the Thanksgiving ceremony was a spiritual obligation and a public affirmation of his faith and purpose.
“We came here to acknowledge God’s hand in our journey so far,”
“The successful conduct of the APC primary is a testament to the strength of our internal democracy. Now we pray for a peaceful campaign and call on all political actors to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship.” he noted.
Reiterating his commitment to transformational leadership, Ukachukwu vowed to position Anambra as a benchmark for responsive governance and sustainable development.
He highlighted the strategic importance of integrating Anambra and by extension, the South East geopolitical zone more directly into the national political framework.
“One of our foremost objectives is to reconnect Anambra to the centre of national decision-making. This alignment is crucial for accessing the full benefits of federal initiatives and investments,” he noted.
The Thanksgiving mass ended with a symbolic group photograph of Prince Ukachukwu, Senator Ekwunife, Archbishop Okeke, and other senior clerics capturing a moment that signified not just gratitude, but also unity of purpose between the political and spiritual leadership in Anambra.
As the state prepares for what promises to be a fiercely contested gubernatorial race, Sunday’s gathering in Onitsha may well signal a defining moment in the APC’s bid to make inroads in a region long dominated by opposition parties.
