CHIBUIKE ULOKA
Widespread jubilation erupted across Anambra State as Professor Obiora Okonkwo, OFR (Dikeora), officially declared his intention to contest the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking before a large gathering of supporters, party faithful, and grassroots mobilizers at his country home Ire Village, Ogidi, Idemili North LGA, Okonkwo also inaugurated his provisional campaign council, setting the stage for his bid to lead the state.
The businessman, academic, and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines laid out his vision for a prosperous, secure, and globally competitive Anambra. He lamented that despite the state’s vast potential, insecurity, unemployment, poor governance, and economic stagnation have held it back. He called for a new direction, urging Ndi Anambra to unite behind a shared vision of economic transformation, security, and good governance.
Prof. Okonkwo emphasized his commitment to tackling insecurity through strengthened community policing and modern security frameworks. He pledged to create a business-friendly environment that attracts investment, empowers entrepreneurs, and generates employment. He also stressed the importance of education and youth empowerment, promising to institutionalize “Nkwado Ogalanya (Igba Boi),” a model that will equip young people with vocational and entrepreneurial skills. His agenda includes major infrastructure renewal, improved healthcare, and the modernization of agriculture to boost food security and wealth creation.
Prof. Okonkwo debunked claims that he is new to the APC, emphasizing that he is a foundational member of what is today the All Progressives Congress Party (APC). Citing his significant contributions to the Action Congress (AC) and later the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he asserted that his commitment to the party is unquestionable. He declared himself a bona fide APC member whose loyalty and involvement cannot be dismissed.
Reaffirming his profound loyalty to the APC, Okonkwo dismissed zoning as a non-essential factor in Anambra politics, insisting that the state’s challenges demand competence, not sectional considerations.
“Anambra is facing serious challenges, and now more than ever, we must prioritize competence over zoning. It is time to choose the best candidate who can lead the charge to rescue and rebuild our state,” he stated.
He described his candidacy as more than a political campaign but a movement to reclaim Anambra and deliver the leadership the people deserve. Calling for collective effort, he urged supporters to stand with him in charting a new course for the state, promising that together, they would make Anambra a beacon of excellence and good governance.