IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: THE FUTILITY OF IKUKUOMA AND EKWUNIFE’S APC BID AGAINST SOLUDO’S UNASSAILABLE REIGN

By Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu

The electoral terrain of Anambra State is heating up as the November 8, 2025, governorship election approaches, with candidates and their strategies coming under intense scrutiny. Among the most discussed developments is the reported preference of Iyom Uche Ekwunife as the running mate for Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, popularly known as Ikukuoma, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate. Despite Ekwunife’s undeniable political popularity and her storied career as a grassroots mobilizer and former senator, this pairing is unlikely to yield any fruitful results in the face of the formidable incumbent, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and his All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The dynamics of this contest reveal not only the weaknesses in Ikukuoma’s candidacy but also the deceptive undercurrents driving some of the support for Ekwunife, as well as the broader futility of the APC’s current strategy in Anambra.

Iyom Uche Ekwunife is a political heavyweight in Anambra, known for her charisma, extensive network, and ability to connect with voters across different demographics. Her tenure as a senator and her role as Director-General of the Southeast Governors Forum have cemented her reputation as a formidable figure in the Southeast. However, her reported selection as Ikukuoma’s running mate does little to alter the electoral arithmetic in favour of the APC. The political reality in Anambra is dominated by APGA’s entrenched influence, which has held the state since 2006. APGA’s dominance is not merely a function of party machinery but a deep emotional and cultural connection with Anambra voters, who view the party as a symbol of Igbo identity and pride. This connection gives Soludo an edge that transcends conventional political calculations, rendering Ekwunife’s popularity insufficient to tilt the scales.

Prince Ukachukwu, or Ikukuoma, faces an even steeper challenge. Despite his wealth, political ambition, and claims of influence, he lacks the grassroots support base necessary to challenge Soludo’s incumbency. His emergence as the APC candidate was marred by controversy, with allegations of delegate list manipulation and defections by party members who viewed him as unelectable. These internal divisions within the APC underscore a critical weakness: Ikukuoma’s candidacy is not rooted in broad-based support but rather in his financial muscle and personal ambition. His political history, marked by party-hopping and accusations of sabotaging opponents, further erodes his credibility. For instance, his past actions, such as allegedly undermining Tony Nwoye in 2013 and attempting to wrest control of APGA from Soludo, paint a picture of a politician more adept at political manoeuvring than building genuine voter trust. In contrast, Soludo’s administration has delivered tangible results in infrastructure, security, and youth empowerment, earning him widespread approval among Anambra voters.

Furthermore, the backing of the presidency and the APC national leadership further tilts the scales in Soludo’s favour. President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Anambra on May 8, 2025, to commission projects executed by Soludo’s administration was a clear signal of federal support. Tinubu’s public praise for Soludo’s vision and his pledge to support the governor’s agenda underscored a strategic alignment between the presidency and APGA. This alignment is not accidental; Tinubu, a seasoned politician, prioritizes pragmatic alliances over party loyalty, especially in a state where APGA’s dominance is near unassailable. The absence of traditional political courtesies extended to Ikukuoma since his emergence as the APC candidate further highlights his marginalization within the party’s broader strategy, and his claims of presidential support appear aspirational at best, contradicted by Tinubu’s actions and the lack of engagement from the APC’s national leadership.

It is also important to note that the sudden enthusiasm for Ekwunife among some APC chieftains and online supporters raises red flags about their motives. Many of these individuals, who previously opposed her when she was considered as a running mate for another APC aspirant (now late) are now singing her praises and promoting her as a game-changer for Ikukuoma’s campaign. This volte-face is not a genuine endorsement but rather a calculated move to exploit Ikukuoma’s resources. The pattern is familiar in Nigerian politics: opportunistic actors latch onto candidates with deep pockets, offering hollow support in exchange for financial rewards. These so-called supporters are unlikely to translate their online rhetoric into votes, as their allegiance is driven by self-interest rather than belief in Ekwunife or Ikukuoma. The notion that individuals who never believed in Ekwunife’s political vision would suddenly champion her candidacy defies logic. Ikukuoma risks being milked by these deceptive allies, who are more interested in personal gain than electoral success.

This brings into question the very rationale behind Ikukuoma’s candidacy and his choice of Ekwunife. What exactly do they intend to campaign on? Soludo’s administration has not only delivered measurable progress but also enjoys a stronger connection to the federal government than the APC can claim in Anambra. The narrative of “linking Anambra to the centre,” which Ikukuoma has repeatedly emphasized, falls flat when the incumbent governor is already aligned with the presidency. Soludo’s projects, such as the One Youth, Two Skills empowerment program, have resonated with voters, while his fiscal prudence has earned him admiration. In contrast, Ikukuoma’s campaign lacks a compelling message or a record of public service that can rival Soludo’s achievements. Ekwunife’s political clout, while significant, cannot compensate for the absence of a coherent platform or a unified party structure. The APC’s internal disarray, coupled with Ikukuoma’s controversial track record, leaves them with little to offer voters beyond promises that ring hollow against Soludo’s tangible results.

The broader question is why some politicians, like Ikukuoma, see every electoral season as an opportunity to contest, even when the indices for a change in power are non-existent. Anambra’s political history shows a clear preference for continuity when an incumbent delivers. Soludo’s first term has been marked by steady progress, and his unopposed emergence as APGA’s candidate reflects the party’s confidence in his leadership. Ikukuoma’s insistence on running, despite his lack of a viable support base, suggests either a misreading of the political terrain or a pursuit of ulterior motives. Some analysts speculate that his candidacy is a gambit to gain the presidency’s attention, perhaps to negotiate contracts or appointments. If this is the case, Ikukuoma is engaging in a costly wild goose chase, expending resources on a campaign with no realistic chance of success. Ekwunife, too, risks tarnishing her political brand by aligning with a venture that is doomed to fail.

APC leaders in Anambra must use this period to reflect on their strategy and build genuine trust among voters. Rather than peddling illusions of victory, they should focus on strengthening their grassroots presence and demonstrating electoral relevance. The party’s inability to win even polling units in past elections is a stark reminder of its weakness in the state. Instead of deceiving their followers with claims of federal support, APC chieftains should aim to secure their local government areas in the 2027 general elections, thereby proving their loyalty to President Tinubu and their capacity to deliver votes. This would require a shift from opportunistic politicking to sincere engagement with voters, a task that seems beyond the current leadership given their track record.

I cannot conclude this without noting that as of 7:15PM today, May 14, 2025, Ekwunife’s reported nomination has not been publicized on her official Facebook page, which may suggest she is weighing the risks of joining Ikukuoma’s campaign. This hesitation is understandable, as the prospect of challenging Soludo in a state where APGA reigns supreme is daunting. If she confirms her candidacy, she should at least leverage her influence as Director-General of the Southeast Governors Forum to secure a “presidential handshake” for Ikukuoma, which is otherwise headed for defeat. However, if even this modest goal proves unattainable, Ekwunife would be wise to step back and preserve her political capital for future opportunities. Her charisma and influence remain valuable assets, but they are ill-suited for a contest where the odds are so heavily stacked against her.

Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu, an indigene of Nnewi, Anambra State, writes from Abuja, Nigeria.