Former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship hopeful, Paul Chukwuma, has been officially declared the gubernatorial candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the upcoming November 8, 2025, election in Anambra State.
Chukwuma, who recently resigned from the APC over what he described as a deeply flawed and compromised primary process, secured the YPP ticket via a consensus vote held on Thursday in Awka. The primary, attended by 374 delegates, adopted the Option A4 voting system and was described as transparent and peaceful.
The election was overseen by the party’s National Secretary and Chairman of the Election Committee, Vidieno Bamayi. Despite Chukwuma being the sole aspirant, the party proceeded with a formal vote to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and demonstrate internal democracy.
“Even though he was unopposed, we conducted the primary in accordance with our constitution and electoral guidelines. This reflects our commitment to due process,” Bamayi stated.
At the end of the exercise, Chukwuma received overwhelming support, garnering 366 ‘yes’ votes, while eight delegates voted ‘no’. He was subsequently declared the official flagbearer of the YPP.
Chukwuma’s Vision and Promises
In his acceptance speech, Chukwuma expressed deep appreciation to the party and its delegates for the trust reposed in him. He described the YPP as a party with discipline, structure, and a mission to deliver transformative leadership to the people of Anambra.
“I come before you not just as a candidate, but as someone who understands the stakes and the expectations of Ndi Anambra. The YPP is ready to redefine governance in this state. Today, we take a bold step towards real change,” Chukwuma said.
He pledged to offer visionary leadership that would position Anambra State for growth, development, and greater political inclusion at the national level. According to him, one of his core goals is to bridge the gap between Anambra and the federal government, ensuring that the state benefits from national opportunities.
“Anambra is the heart of Igbo land, and it deserves to be firmly connected to the centre. I am here to make that connection possible with YPP as the vehicle,” he emphasized.
Support for President Tinubu’s Hope Agenda
Interestingly, despite his departure from the APC, Chukwuma signaled support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, especially the “Hope Agenda” – a policy framework aimed at economic revitalization and national unity. He expressed confidence in aligning his vision for Anambra with the broader developmental goals of the federal government.
“I believe in President Tinubu’s vision, and I will work to ensure Anambra taps into the opportunities created by this administration. We must think beyond party lines and focus on the development of our people,” he said.
A Crowded Field Ahead
Chukwuma will face a formidable lineup of contenders in what is expected to be a highly competitive governorship race. His opponents include:
- Incumbent Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo (All Progressives Grand Alliance – APGA)
- Nicholas Ukachukwu (All Progressives Congress – APC)
- George Moghalu (Labour Party – LP)
- Chioma Ifemulike and Chidi Onyeze (Accord Party)
- Jeff Nweke (Action Alliance)
With his formal emergence as the YPP candidate, Paul Chukwuma is positioning himself as a unifier and reform-minded leader who intends to take Anambra to new heights. His campaign will likely focus on inclusive governance, economic expansion, and establishing stronger ties between the state and the federal government.
