David-Chyddy Eleke reports that the recent primary election of All Progressives Grand Alliance for all elective positions in Anambra state was that of mixed feelings as losers complained while the victorious jubilated.
Saturday, May 23, 2026 was not just a normal weekend for members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State. It was indeed a big day, and a miniature of the general election of February 2027. The party is dominant in Anambra and has remained in power for 20 years now, consolidating its strangle-hold on the state and her people through successive governor.
In Anambra, the ticket of the party is as good as victory in the main election and this is because of the belief that Anambra is APGA and APGA is Anambra. Not minding who is standing election in the party, one is wont to see rural women on election day asking to be assisted to vote for APGA, which they fondly refer to as Ojukwu’s party.
All of these contributed to make the primary election of the party in Anambra a steep contest, with many contestants believing that a ticket of APGA is as good as victory in the general election.
Though regarded as a family affair, the exercise generated tension, complaints, lots of intrigues, as well as violence. There was also a gale of withdrawal from the race by many of the aspirants who had earlier boasted of huge followings, while many openly confessed that they were coerced, cajoled and intimidated into stepping down for less popular aspirants who had bigger and stronger godfathers.
