APGA hands certificates of return to Oduah, Nwankwo, Agbodike, Udeze, others

…Declares ‘we’re the party to beat

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has presented Certificates of Return to its 44 candidates, who will fly the party’s flag in the 2027 National and Anambra State House of Assembly polls.

The beneficiaries comprises 3 Senatorial candidates, 11 House of Representatives candidates and 30 candidates for the State House of Assembly.

Those presented with Certificates of Return for the Senate are Stella Oduah (Anambra North), Emmanuel Nwachukwu (Anambra South) and Dozie Nwankwo (Anambra Central).

Among the House of Representatives candidates honoured were Paschal Agbodike (Ihiala), Maureen Gwacham (Oyi/Ayamelum), Chukwudi Oli (Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia), Dr. Chibuike Ofobuike (Aguata), Benjamin Chinedu O. (Anambra East/West), Anthony Nworah (Onitsha North/South) and Obby Nwankwo (Awka North/South).

Certificates were also presented to
Somtochukwu Udeze, Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly (Ogbaru I) Ikenna Ofodeme, majority leader (Nnewi North), Calistus Nweke (Anambra East), Nnadozie Igwe (Nnewi South I) and  John Bosco Nnabugwu (Nnewi South II).

Others are Innocent Uzoma (Onitsha North II), Hon. Kingsley Onochie (Idemili North), Hon. Jude Ibemeka (Njikoka), Kosisochukwu Ibemesi (Oyi), Igwedumma Nwofor (Awka South I) and Obodoezi Chinedu (Ayamelum), among others.

Ejimofor Opara, APGA National Publicity Secretary, while confirming the development in Awka on Sunday, said that the party remained the one to beat in the forthcoming elections.

He explained that Form EC13C was issued to Senatorial candidates, Form EC13D to House of Representatives candidates, and Form EC13E to State Assembly candidates.

Opara dismissed concerns that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s open support for President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) could weaken APGA’s electoral fortunes.

According to him, APGA has a tradition of supporting the party at the centre whenever it does not field a presidential candidate.

He recalled that APGA supported former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 and later backed former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, stressing that the party’s current support for Tinubu aligns with its progressive ideology.

“We have always maintained that progressives are working together. Our people are politically sophisticated and understand the distinction between national and state elections. APGA remains firmly rooted in Anambra,” he said.

Speaking after receiving their certificates, Dozie Nwankwo, Anambra Central Senatorial candidate, and Paschal Agbodike, Ihiala House of Representatives candidate, thanked party members and constituents for their confidence in them.

They described APGA’s candidates, as experienced, tested and trusted leaders, pledging to work closely with Governor Soludo to deepen security, good governance and socio-economic development across the state.

The duo assured that, if elected, they would provide effective legislative representation and facilitate more democratic dividends for their constituents.