The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has rejected assertions by Governor Charles Soludo that the party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance are collaborating as “progressives” ahead of the 2027 general elections. The denial followed the inauguration of newly elected state executive officials of the APC at the party headquarters in Awka on Friday, where leadership argued that no verifiable evidence supports claims of ideological or operational alignment between the two parties. The state APC warned that such narratives risk misleading members and distorting the political choices available to voters in Anambra.
Governor Soludo, who also serves as National Leader of APGA, has in recent months advanced the mantra of “progressives working together,” a formulation interpreted to imply cooperation between the APC and APGA in advance of the 2027 electoral cycle. However, speaking after the swearing-in of the state executive, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, the state APC chairman, maintained that rhetoric alone does not constitute evidence of collaboration, insisting that tangible political actions would be required to validate any such claims. He cautioned party faithful across the 21 local government areas against being swayed by slogans that, in his view, lack structural or administrative backing.
Absence of Evidence and Conditions for Cooperation
Anosike stated that there is no indication that the APC and APGA are working together as “progressives” in any part of the state or the South East region. He argued that if a genuine convergence existed, it would be reflected in concrete administrative decisions rather than public messaging. The chairman pointed to the federal example, noting that President Bola Tinubu has included members of allied parties in his cabinet, and suggested that similar steps at the state level would offer proof of the claimed ideological affinity.
“Anambra APC and APGA are not working together as being championed by the APGA family and their National Leader, Governor Chukwuma Soludo,” Anosike said. “We call on them to stop championing the ‘progressives working together’ agenda in the state and beyond.” He added that the absence of APC members in the governor’s cabinet, local government leadership, or party defections undermines the assertion that the two formations are progressively aligned, describing the slogan as an attempt to confuse supporters who remain committed to the APC’s electoral objectives.
Mobilisation and Electoral Strategy
The APC chairman urged the newly inaugurated executives to demonstrate diligence and consolidate the party’s organisational structure in the months ahead. He described their election as a mandate to strengthen operations and prepare for a competitive 2027 cycle, stressing that responsibility now rests with the leadership to manage resources and maintain unity. Anosike called on members and stakeholders to avoid actions that could create internal divisions, insisting that discipline is essential as the party positions itself to challenge for electoral victories at all levels.
Anosike expressed confidence that APC is gaining ground in Anambra, citing growing membership enrolment and renewed identification with the party’s identity cards as signs of revitalisation. He argued that support from neighbouring governors, including Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, and Peter Mbah of Enugu, alongside infrastructure investments led by the federal government, has improved the party’s prospects across the South East. He predicted that these factors, combined with local organisation, would deliver comprehensive victories for APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The chairman reiterated that APC remains focused on delivering President Tinubu’s agenda and expanding the party’s footprint in a state where it has historically faced strong opposition. He said the 2027 elections will clarify the choices before voters and demonstrate that APC has emerged as a credible alternative. Anosike concluded that the party will not allow slogans lacking administrative substance to mislead the public, insisting that sustained political work, rather than messaging, will determine outcomes at the polls.
