Anambra Central APC Backs Obiora Okonkwo For APC Ticket

In a significant political development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Anambra Central Senatorial District has unanimously thrown its weight behind Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Airlines, in his bid to challenge incumbent Governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo in the upcoming November 8, 2025, gubernatorial election.

The resolution emerged from a comprehensive zonal meeting between Professor Okonkwo and members of the zone. The gathering included members of the State Working Committee (SWC), zonal executives, local government chapter chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries, women leaders, and youth leaders, representing a broad spectrum of the party’s leadership structure.

Party leaders, who took turns to speak, expressed profound confidence in Professor Okonkwo’s capabilities, citing his impressive track record in business leadership, academics and economic management as demonstrated through his successful stewardship of United Airlines and other spheres of life. The consensus among party stalwarts is that his private sector experience positions him uniquely to address Anambra’s development challenges.

Speaking after the meeting, a senior party official emphasized that the decision to back Professor Okonkwo was not taken lightly but was based on thorough deliberations about the party’s chances in the upcoming gubernatorial race.

“Professor Okonkwo brings to the table a combination of academic excellence, business acumen, and practical leadership experience that we believe will resonate with Anambra voters,” the official stated.

The APC leadership highlighted several factors that influenced their decision to support Okonkwo’s candidacy. His track record of creating jobs through his business ventures, particularly in the aviation sector, was seen as evidence of his capacity to drive economic growth in Anambra State. The party believes his experience in managing large-scale operations and understanding of both local and international business environments will be crucial in attracting investments to the state.

Asides such, the leadership also acknowledged the roles Professor Okonkwo played in the formation and early success of the Action Congress, AC which was a foundation party of the present day APC.

The resolution document particularly emphasized Okonkwo’s potential to present a strong challenge to incumbent Governor Soludo. Party leaders pointed to what they described as growing dissatisfaction with the current administration’s policies and expressed confidence in Okonkwo’s ability to articulate an alternative vision for the state’s development.

“Our decision today reflects the collective wisdom of party leaders across Anambra Central,” stated one of the zonal executives. “We believe Professor Okonkwo possesses the strategic thinking and executive capacity necessary to not only win the election but also to implement transformative policies that will benefit all Anambra citizens.”

The meeting also addressed the importance of party unity at the zone in supporting Okonkwo’s candidacy. Local Government chapter chairmen pledged to begin immediate grassroots mobilization efforts to build support for his gubernatorial bid. Women and youth leaders outlined plans for engagement programs aimed at connecting Okonkwo’s vision with these crucial demographic segments.

Party officials emphasized that their support for Okonkwo goes beyond mere endorsement. They announced the formation of various committees tasked with developing comprehensive campaign strategies, policy frameworks, and outreach programs. These committees will work closely with Okonkwo’s team to ensure a coordinated campaign effort.

The resolution also highlighted Okonkwo’s academic credentials, noting that his professorial background positions him well for intellectual engagement with the incumbent Governor Soludo, himself an accomplished academic. This, they believe, will elevate the quality of political discourse during the campaign period.

Youth leaders at the meeting particularly praised Okonkwo’s potential to bridge the gap between traditional governance approaches and modern developmental needs. They cited his success in the aviation industry as evidence of his ability to bring innovation and fresh perspectives to governance.

The meeting concluded with a call for all party members to unite behind Okonkwo’s candidacy, emphasizing the need for cohesion and focused effort to achieve electoral success. Party leaders expressed optimism that with proper coordination and unwavering support, the APC stands a strong chance of winning the gubernatorial election.