The resounding victory of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in last Saturday’s Anambra South senatorial by-election is more than a routine electoral win: it is a political statement. With the party sweeping all 118 wards, securing 1,922 out of 1,934 polling units, and recording 78% of the total votes cast, APGA has demonstrated its enduring grip on Anambra State’s political landscape.
The outcome, in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) trailed far behind with just 16% of the votes, sends a strong signal about voter alignment ahead of the 8 November 2025 governorship election. More tellingly, the fact that opposition candidates failed to win even in their wards underscores APGA’s dominance and the apparent disarray within rival platforms.
Much of this momentum can be traced to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s growing influence as governor and APGA’s national leader. His administration’s emphasis on infrastructural renewal, education, and grassroots mobilisation has renewed the party’s vitality. The by-election results affirm not just support for APGA, but also confidence in Soludo’s leadership.
In a state where personality politics has often rivalled party loyalty, this performance suggests a merging of both — Soludo’s image is fast becoming indistinguishable from APGA’s brand. For the governor, this offers a powerful springboard as he seeks reelection.
The poor showing of the APC, Young Progressives Party and the African Democratic Congress highlights deeper problems within the opposition. Internal divisions, a lack of coherent grassroots structures, and a compelling counter-narrative to APGA’s messaging all contributed to their defeat. The candidates’ inability to command loyalty even within their wards exposes organisational weaknesses that could prove costly in November.
Unless opposition parties recalibrate quickly, they risk being relegated to mere spectators in a contest already shaping up to be one-sided.
High Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, APGA’s state chairman, aptly described the by-election as a ‘mock examination’ ahead of the governorship vote. For APGA, the victory offers a morale boost and a clear rehearsal of its electoral machinery. However, it is a warning for the opposition: failure to unite or present credible alternatives could make November a foregone conclusion.
The symbolism of this result also resonates beyond Anambra. APGA has long styled itself as the political identity of Ndi Anambra and, by extension, Ndi Igbo. The landslide in Anambra South reinforces this narrative, suggesting that despite incursions by national parties, APGA retains a strong claim to being the political heartbeat of the Southeast.
The 16 August by-election has shifted political calculations in the state. It was not just a test of APGA’s strength but a reaffirmation of its grassroots hold and a preview of what could come in November. If Soludo and his party sustain this momentum, APGA may retain power and redefine its relevance in national politics.
For now, the people’s voice has been loud and clear: In Anambra South, Onitsha North I, and indeed Anambra State, APGA remains present and the future.
