LGA Primaries: APGA in Anambra Poised to Return 21 Incumbent Council Chairmen Unopposed

There are strong indications that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State is set to return all 21 incumbent local government council chairmen as its candidates in the forthcoming local government elections.
Investigations reveal that a total of 154 aspirants purchased Expression of Interest forms at the cost of ₦1 million each. Further findings by Insideoutnews further indicate that after the conduct of the primary elections and their eventual emergence as party candidates for the main election, successful aspirants would also be required to pay a mandatory nomination fee of ₦5 million.
However, following the outcome of the delegate primaries conducted across the 21 local government areas, several fresh aspirants have raised concerns, alleging that the process was deliberately skewed in favour of the incumbent chairmen.
Some of the aggrieved aspirants, who spoke to reporters on Monday, alleged that certain individuals were sponsored by the incumbent council chairmen to contest the primaries merely as statutory aspirants.
According to them, these aspirants were expected to step down on the day of the actual primaries, paving the way for the incumbents to emerge unopposed.
“What is happening is shocking to those of us who are genuinely contesting for the party’s tickets. We believe that some party stakeholders are fully aware of this arrangement,” one aspirant said.
Another aspirant alleged that several contestants were disqualified during the screening exercise held in Awka last Saturday on what he described as flimsy grounds, while less serious contenders were cleared to ensure an easy victory for the incumbent chairmen.
“Some of us were screened out for one reason or another, while unserious aspirants were cleared simply to give the sitting chairmen a smooth passage,” he added.
The protesting aspirants, who declined to have their names published, expressed fear of possible sanctions, noting that speaking out openly could be interpreted as anti-party activity.
They further alleged the existence of a secret agreement between some party leaders and the incumbent council chairmen, under which automatic tickets were allegedly promised in exchange for their support and delivery of votes for the party during the last gubernatorial election in the state.
Reacting to the allegations, the State Chairman of APGA, Barrister Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, dismissed the claims as baseless and unfounded, insisting that the party remains committed to internal democracy.
“These are unfounded allegations. Those making such claims are faceless. The party provided clear guidelines for the screening exercise, and all aspirants were adequately informed,” Obi-Okoye said.
“If anyone feels unjustly screened out, the proper thing to do is to file a petition before the Appeals Committee with verifiable evidence,” he added.
On the allegation that the party plans to return incumbent chairmen unopposed, the chairman denied any such arrangement, challenging accusers to present concrete proof.
“As a party, we are not aware of any plan to impose candidates. APGA is one family, and in the spirit of fairness and collective responsibility, we have ensured a level playing field for a free, fair, and credible contest,” he stated.