The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has denied about 11 serving local council chairmen in Anambra State the opportunity to seek re-election at the end of their tenures in September this year.
The serving council chairmen, otherwise referred to as Mayors under the Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s dispensation, were sworn-in early October 2024 for a two-term.
The outgoing council chairmen have been denied tickets for the August 29, 2026, election and replaced by C. Ofobuike (Aguata); Romanus Ibekwe (Anaocha); Alphonse Ofumelu (Ayamelum); Chinedu Ononiba (Njikoka); Chimezie Obi (Ekwusigo); Amaka Obi (Idemili South); Franklin Nwadoalo (Ogbaru); Anthony Nworah (Onitsha North); Emeka Orji (Onitsha South), and Emma Nwele (Oyi).
Reports claimed that a two-term serving council chairman for Idemili South, Iyom Amaka Obi, who has the ears of the State First Lady, may have been dropped because she has been penciled down for the position of the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
APGA has reportedly picked the first three nominees whose names were submitted for clearance for the elections on August 29.
APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, in a statement titled: ‘Anambra Local Government Election 2026 List of Cleared Aspirants for APGA Primaries (Local Government Chairmen/Mayors)’ dated February 15, confirmed that the aspirants were unopposed at the party’s primaries.
The list revealed the names of those who were elected by voice affirmation to carry the party’s flags.
Reacting after the Returning Officer, Lady Tochi Assumpta Obi, announced Stanley Nkwoka as the winner of the council primary, Nkwoka appreciated the governor, party hierarchy, members and supporters, as well as delegates for reposing confidence in him.
He called on them to bear in mind that the election, in which he would carry the APGA flag as its candidate, would come up in August, even as his two-year tenure still runs till October this year.