Senate Seat: Can Hon. Greg Amarube’s “Youth, New Ideas” Message Break APGA-NDC Grip In Anambra South?

KINGSLEY EBERE 

The battle for Anambra South Senatorial District seat is now a three-way fight between APGA, NDC, and ZLP. With youths making up the largest voting bloc across the 7 LGAs, the race could tilt on who sells “new ideas” best.

The district covers Aguata, Ekwusigo, Ihiala, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Orumba North and Orumba South. The seat became vacant after the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and was filled in the August 2025 by-election.

The Candidates and Their Chances

APGA: Senator Emmanuel Nwachukwu

Senator Emmanuel Nwachukwu is the incumbent and APGA candidate. He won the seat in the August 2025 by-election and later got a landslide victory in the APGA primary.

Chances: Incumbency is his biggest weapon. He has access to state government structure, visibility at the National Assembly, and can campaign on constituency projects delivered since 2025.

Challenge: Voters will judge him on impact within a short time. He must defend his record across all 7 LGAs.

NDC: Chief Ebuka Onunkwo

Chief Ebuka Onunkwo is the NDC candidate. He is a prominent industrialist and CEO of Sea Horse Lubricants Nigeria Limited. He won a rigorous NDC primary across the district.

Chances: Money and business profile. His industrial background resonates strongly in Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ihiala. He’s selling himself as the “job creator” who can attract investment and federal projects.

Challenge: NDC is a new party in the area. He must build grassroots structure fast to match APGA’s ward-level network.

ZLP: Hon. Greg Amarube – The Youth, New Ideas Candidate

Hon. Greg Amarube, popularly known as  Dino, is flying the flag of the Zenith Labour Party.

Chances: Youth appeal and fresh ideas. Amarube is positioning himself as the voice of the next generation in Anambra South. His campaign message centers on youth empowerment, technology, skills acquisition, and bringing new thinking to representation.

Unlike the two other candidates who are leaning on incumbency and money, Amarube is targeting first-time voters, students, artisans and young entrepreneurs who feel left out. ZLP also has existing structures across LGAs that he can leverage on.

Political observers say if voter apathy is low and youths turn out massively, Amarube’s “new ideas” platform could disrupt the race. His grassroots connection and promise of more inclusive, people-driven representation give him a fighting chance, especially in Orumba North, Orumba South and Aguata where youth unemployment is a major issue.

Challenge: He must overcome the financial advantage of NDC and the state structure of APGA. Expanding his message beyond his base to Nnewi and Ihiala will determine how far he goes.

What will decide it

Turnout, money, and message. APGA has structure. NDC has cash. ZLP has youth energy.

The candidate who best addresses security, roads, youth jobs, and federal presence will likely carry Anambra South.