Politics
APGA dominance in Anambra by-elections shakes opposition parties
DDM News

(DDM) – The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has reasserted its dominance in Anambra politics after sweeping two key by-election seats on Saturday.
DDM gathered that the victories came in the Anambra South Senatorial District and Onitsha North 1 State Constituency, cementing APGA’s grip on the state’s political landscape.
In the Anambra South Senatorial by-election, APGA candidate Emma Nwachukwu secured a landslide victory with 90,408 votes.
His closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, managed 19,847 votes, a distant second.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) polled 2,889 votes, while the Labour Party (LP) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) trailed behind with just 205 and 68 votes respectively.
In the Onitsha North 1 State Constituency by-election, APGA’s Barrister Ifeoma Mimi Azikiwe also emerged victorious with 7,774 votes.
She defeated ADC’s Mrs. Justice Azuka, who recorded 1,909 votes.
APC’s Mr. Ezennia Chuka Ojekwe received 1,371 votes, while YPP’s Ms. Njideka Ndiwe got 655 votes.
Political observers described the by-election as a crucial test ahead of the November 8 governorship race in Anambra State.
Parties had hoped the results would serve as a momentum booster and bargaining chip with voters.
For APGA, the victory is a powerful signal to both allies and rivals that the party remains deeply entrenched in Anambra’s political structure.
Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, APGA has remained in firm control of the state’s leadership.
The only interruption came when Dr. Chris Ngige of the PDP briefly held office as governor.
His tenure, however, was cut short after a tribunal nullified his election on grounds of falsified results.
APGA quickly reclaimed its position and has since gone on to dominate successive governorship elections.
The party also holds a majority in the Anambra State House of Assembly, further consolidating its influence.
However, APGA has historically struggled to translate its local dominance into national assembly seats.
That is why Emma Nwachukwu’s senatorial victory is being celebrated within party ranks as a significant achievement.
Party loyalists believe it strengthens their prospects of gaining more federal representation.
Analysts argue that the results send a clear message to opposition parties hoping to challenge APGA in November.
The APC, PDP, LP, ADC, and YPP all tested their strength during the by-elections but fell short.
For the APC, the outcome raises serious concerns about its grassroots appeal in Anambra.
The PDP, which once governed the state, has been reduced to a fringe role, managing only 68 votes in the senatorial contest.
Labour Party, despite its national momentum in recent times, was unable to make any meaningful impact in the state.
The ADC managed a better showing than expected but still lacked the numbers to mount a strong challenge.
Political watchers suggest that APGA’s ability to sustain its grassroots machinery remains its biggest advantage.
The party has relied heavily on its image as a truly homegrown political movement in Anambra.
Many residents see APGA not just as a political party but as part of the state’s identity.
This sentiment has made it difficult for outsiders to break into the political space.
The coming governorship election on November 8 is expected to be fiercely contested.
But the weekend’s outcome shows APGA will be going into the polls with an emboldened base.
For now, APGA’s sweeping victory is being hailed as another chapter in its long-standing political dominance in Anambra State.
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