Some candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State have expressed concerns that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decision to coordinate President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the state could affect their chances in the 2027 general elections.
The candidates, who spoke anonymously, said the political arrangement between Soludo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had created uncertainty within APGA, with some fearing that dissatisfied voters could turn to candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
They also expressed concern that supporters of former Anambra State governor and potential presidential candidate, Peter Obi, could stage protest votes against APGA candidates in response to Soludo’s support for Tinubu.
Soludo, the leader of APGA in Anambra State, was inaugurated as the coordinator of Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council in the state on October 14. The development has reportedly generated discontent among some APGA candidates seeking seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and Anambra State House of Assembly.
Some of the candidates believe the governor’s political alignment could weaken APGA’s independent identity and make it difficult for them to campaign effectively in a state where Obi continues to enjoy significant support.
A House of Representatives candidate in Awka, who requested anonymity over fears of victimisation, said APGA candidates were unhappy with the governor’s decision and that political activities had slowed down across the state.
According to her, there were fears that voters might punish APGA candidates for Soludo’s support for Tinubu by voting for NDC candidates, who could benefit from growing anti-Soludo sentiments.
She said a planned joint stakeholder meeting involving APGA and APC members had done little to calm the concerns among candidates.
“Although the governor has convened a joint stakeholder meeting for APGA and the APC on Sunday to strategise ahead of the 2027 general elections, everything is currently at a standstill. Even campaigns have stopped because the candidates are confused,” she said.
The candidate accused Soludo of failing to adequately consult party members before entering into the political arrangement, insisting that many APGA candidates were worried about the possible consequences.
She warned that even strong APGA candidates could lose their elections if voters decided to express their dissatisfaction with the governor through the ballot box.
“There’s a possibility that APGA candidates might all lose, even the good candidates among us. The voters are not happy that the governor is aligning with the APC while their own person, Peter Obi, is also on the ballot,” she said.
Similarly, an APGA candidate seeking a seat in the Anambra State House of Assembly said the development had deepened internal tensions within the party.
He claimed that some party leaders, stakeholders and supporters were uncomfortable with the arrangement, fearing that it could affect the electoral prospects of candidates contesting legislative positions.
According to him, many candidates were concerned that voters could cast sympathy votes for NDC candidates as a way of expressing their displeasure with Soludo’s support for the ruling party at the national level.
The candidate also questioned how APGA candidates would convince voters to support Tinubu in the presidential election while voting for APGA candidates in the National and State Assembly elections.
“How can market women or traders in rural areas be convinced to vote for the APC at the top and then APGA at the bottom? It doesn’t make sense to us. This might just give the NDC candidates the edge over us,” he said.
However, the Anambra State Publicity Secretary of APGA, Ejimofor Opara, dismissed the concerns, maintaining that Soludo’s role in Tinubu’s campaign would not affect the party’s chances in the legislative elections.
Opara said APGA remained committed to supporting Tinubu’s presidential ambition while working to secure victories in the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly elections.
He added that the party’s candidates, supporters and voters were aware of the political arrangement and understood APGA’s position.
The situation in Anambra comes amid similar concerns in Osun State, where some APC candidates have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the appointment of Governor Ademola Adeleke as a coordinator of Tinubu’s presidential campaign in the state.
Some APC candidates reportedly fear that Adeleke’s involvement could strengthen candidates of the Accord Party in legislative elections.
An APC House of Representatives candidate described the arrangement as a setback for the party’s legislative candidates, arguing that the governor’s position could boost the confidence and morale of Accord politicians.
However, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Wole Oke, dismissed the concerns and expressed confidence that the APC would still perform strongly in the legislative elections.
Meanwhile, Adewale Egbedun, chairman of the Osun Accord National and State Assembly candidates, said the party was targeting all legislative seats in the state.
He said Accord was seeking to win the three senatorial seats, nine House of Representatives seats and 26 seats in the Osun State House of Assembly.
The developments come as political parties and candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, according to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
