Anambra 2025 | Governorship Hopeful Calls on Tinubu to Mend Fences with Ngige and Disgruntled APC Members

As the 2025 Anambra State governorship election approaches, political activities are heating up, with aspirants positioning themselves to secure their party’s ticket. One prominent contender, Johnbosco Onunkwo, a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. Onunkwo is urging them to extend an olive branch to Senator Chris Ngige, a former Minister of Labour and Employment, and other aggrieved party members to strengthen the APC’s chances in the upcoming election. This call for reconciliation comes at a critical time as the party prepares for the November 8, 2025, governorship poll in Anambra State.

The Context of Onunkwo’s Appeal

Johnbosco Onunkwo’s plea was made during a visit to the APC’s national secretariat in Abuja, shortly after he successfully passed the party’s primary screening process. His statement underscores the importance of unity within the APC ranks, especially in a state where the party has faced internal divisions and challenges in past elections. Onunkwo emphasized that the APC cannot afford to approach the 2025 election with a fragmented front, given the high stakes and the need to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), led by Governor Charles Soludo.

The aspirant’s call for reconciliation is rooted in the recognition that key figures like Senator Chris Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State and a prominent APC leader, wield significant influence within the party and the state’s political landscape. However, Ngige’s relationship with the APC leadership has been strained in recent years, particularly following his refusal to publicly endorse Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate during the 2023 general elections. This hesitation, aired during a television interview, drew criticism from party loyalists and fueled perceptions of disloyalty, further deepening the rift between Ngige and the APC hierarchy.

Why Reconciliation Matters for APC’s Success in Anambra

Onunkwo’s appeal highlights the strategic importance of bringing aggrieved members like Ngige back into the fold. He argues that these individuals, along with their supporters, constitute a significant portion of the APC’s voting strength in Anambra State. “They represent the majority of our voting power,” Onunkwo stated, emphasizing that their exclusion could jeopardize the party’s chances of winning the governorship election. He stressed that reconciling with these members is not just a matter of party unity but a practical step toward electoral success.

The APC has faced challenges in Anambra in recent years, including factionalism and electoral losses. The 2021 governorship election, for instance, exposed deep divisions within the party, with some attributing the defeat to internal conflicts and a lack of cohesion. Onunkwo’s call for reconciliation aligns with broader efforts by the APC leadership to address these issues and present a united front ahead of the 2025 poll. President Tinubu himself has acknowledged the need for such efforts, directing the formation of reconciliation committees during the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to engage with aggrieved members across various states.

Ngige’s Role and Current Standing in the APC

Senator Chris Ngige remains a towering figure in Anambra politics, having served as governor from 2003 to 2006 and later as a senator and federal minister. Despite his fallout with the APC leadership, Onunkwo insists that Ngige is still a committed member of the party. He pointed to Ngige’s attendance at the recent NEC caucus meeting as evidence of his continued allegiance, noting that Ngige was present in person and not represented by a proxy. “If he weren’t a member, we wouldn’t see him at the NEC meeting,” Onunkwo remarked, signaling optimism about the potential for reconciliation.

Ngige’s reluctance to openly support Tinubu in 2023 stemmed from his public statement that he would decide his vote on election day, citing his long-standing friendships with both Tinubu and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate and a fellow Anambra native. This stance angered some APC stalwarts, who viewed it as a betrayal of party loyalty. However, Onunkwo believes that Ngige’s influence and grassroots support make him indispensable to the APC’s ambitions in Anambra, and he is urging Tinubu and Ganduje to prioritize reconciliation efforts.

Broader Implications for the APC in Anambra

The push for reconciliation extends beyond Ngige to other aggrieved party members who feel sidelined or neglected by the APC leadership. Onunkwo’s appeal reflects a broader strategy to rebuild trust and cohesion within the party, particularly in a state where the APC has struggled to establish dominance. The aspirant emphasized that supporters who have remained loyal to the party but received little recognition must also be brought back into the fold. “These are the people we hope the reconciliation committee will reach out to,” he said, underscoring the urgency of the task.

President Tinubu’s directive to establish reconciliation committees offers a framework for addressing these grievances. Onunkwo has called for swift action, urging the committees to begin their work promptly to ensure that the APC is fully united by the time the primaries and campaigns kick off in 2025. With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) set to issue the formal election notice on November 13, 2024, and party primaries scheduled between March 20 and April 10, 2025, time is of the essence for the APC to resolve its internal conflicts.

Onunkwo’s Vision for Anambra and the APC

Beyond his call for reconciliation, Johnbosco Onunkwo has positioned himself as a unifying figure within the APC, capable of leading the party to victory in 2025. He believes that a united APC, bolstered by the support of influential leaders like Ngige, can challenge Governor Soludo and the APGA’s hold on Anambra. Onunkwo’s confidence is buoyed by his successful navigation of the APC’s primary screening, a milestone that strengthens his candidacy as the primaries approach.

Onunkwo’s vision for Anambra includes addressing key issues such as security, economic development, and infrastructure, which he believes have been inadequately tackled under the current administration. By rallying the APC’s full strength, he aims to present a compelling alternative to voters and capitalize on the party’s growing national influence under Tinubu’s leadership.

Conclusion

As the 2025 Anambra governorship election draws nearer, Johnbosco Onunkwo’s appeal to President Tinubu and Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje underscores the critical need for unity within the APC. Reconciling with Senator Chris Ngige and other aggrieved party members could prove decisive in determining the party’s fate in the election. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the APC must heed Onunkwo’s call and work diligently to mend its internal divisions. By doing so, the party can position itself as a formidable contender in Anambra, offering voters a united and credible alternative in the race for the state’s governorship.

For those following Anambra politics, the coming months will be a litmus test of the APC’s ability to overcome its challenges and seize the opportunity presented by the 2025 election. Onunkwo’s proactive stance and focus on reconciliation could be the key to unlocking the party’s potential in the state, making his appeal a pivotal moment in the APC’s journey toward electoral success.