Anambra 2021: Nze Nwankpo Maps Out Strategies To Win APGA Ticket

DR. HARRIS CHUMA-ODILI, FCMsp 

Gubernatorial aspirants from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, have been strategizing how to win the nomination to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming Anambra Governorship election. The aspirants, who are over six (6) in number from Anambra South Senatorial District where the position has been unanimously zoned to have rock solid convictions that the Governorship ticket will be theirs. 

My investigation shows that winning the APGA faithful’s sympathy and support tops the priority of the Nze Akachukwu Sullivan Nwankpo. The Gubernatorial hopeful wants to be on the same page with the Party Leadership and delegates, who are the ultimate deciders. Nwankpo wants his teaming supporters to see that he has the interest of the party at heart, as demonstrated over time through his massive investments in the party, especially at the grassroots level. 

You know that at the moment, the party delegates to the primary election own the entire political space. They can retire, make or mar anyone if they want to. So for me this move by Akachukwu Nwankpo is clever although it puts the cabal in a fix as it makes it difficult for them to impose their preferred aspirant early in the day. The cabal will have to play along but one sure fact is that only one person will win the ticket in June.

Findings show that the APGA will stamp their feet on ensuring its supremacy as no aspirant will be allowed to throw mud or engage in anti party activities. The State Chairman, Sir Norbert Obi, has stated severally that APGA will conduct a free and fair primary election, where the best candidate will emerge to lead the party to the polls in November. 

As the party sets out to fish out the best amongst the aspirants, I do not think a lot will change on how the leader of the Party, His Excellency Gov. Willie Obiano, arranges his cards. You can see that the Governor has ensured that there is peace everywhere. Those who claimed they were sent to speak on behalf of the Governor might be disappointed at the eleventh hour.

In APGA, nobody is fighting anyone, all the aspirants are going about mobilizing supporters ahead of the primary election, peacefully. No threats of violence, and you can see how the entire state is commending the Governor on this so I do not think he will change in this aspect. 

Another aspect that I think won’t change is that APGA will place more emphasis on marketability, electability and political viability. Aside from Party members, the APGA leadership will look at how the electorates will respond and react to its choice candidates at the polls. 

This means that APGA will shop for a very sellable candidate with no political scandals; no history of abuse of public funds, no criminal record. APGA will definitely pick a candidate with traceable source of livelihood, one with no dangling political baggage. You must have listened to the position of the party on its choice candidates for the gubernatorial election. The APGA leadership has stated clearly in the media that the party won’t field someone who will not sell in the Governorship polls. 

So, my interpretation of this is that the party will prioritize marketability, electability and political viability. This is where Akachukwu Nwankpo is rated high above other contenders; for the past three years, he has been on ground, working assiduously, and have convinced the party that he will pull it through the Gubernatorial election with ease. 

Ekenem!