APC records surprise victory at Peter Obi’s polling unit in Anambra

The All Progressives Congress (APC) pulled off a surprise win at the polling unit of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, as early results from parts of Amatutu village in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, continue to emerge.

At Polling Unit 019, Umudimakasi, where Obi cast his vote, the APC secured 73 votes, defeating the Labour Party (LP), which polled 57 votes. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) came third with 38 votes, while four other parties — YPP, ZLP, APM, ADC, and AAC — each recorded one vote.

The outcome came as a major upset, given Obi’s strong political influence in Agulu and the wider Anaocha area, where he has long commanded overwhelming support.

Though Saturday’s exercise was not a presidential election, the result at Obi’s polling unit attracted attention from political observers who had expected the Labour Party to dominate the area.

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Analysts also noted that the APC’s performance could be linked to the influence of its governorship running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, who hails from the same area.

Beyond Obi’s polling unit, early results from other parts of Amatutu also show the APC in clear lead.

At Polling Unit 015, located at Amatutu Village Hall, the APC polled 117 votes, far ahead of APGA’s 29 and Labour Party’s 10. Similarly, at Polling Unit 023, situated at the Model Primary Health Care Centre, the APC again topped with 25 votes, followed by APGA with 8 and Labour Party with 7. The YPP and ADC scored one vote each.

The APC’s consistent showing across polling units suggests the party may be gaining traction in parts of Anaocha LGA, traditionally seen as a stronghold of APGA and, more recently, the Labour Party.

Collation of results across the local government and the state is still ongoing as of press time.

APC records surprise victory at Peter Obi’s polling unit in Anambra

2.7 million Anambra voters to decide next state governor today

About 2.7 million registered voters in Anambra State will today head to the polls to elect the state’s next governor for a four-year term, in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched elections in recent years.

As preparations reached their peak on Friday, major towns including Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi witnessed a calm atmosphere. Banks, markets, and offices remained open, though there was noticeable movement around the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), an increased security presence on major highways, and aerial patrols by police helicopters across the state.

The governorship election will feature candidates from 16 political parties, but analysts say it is largely a four-horse race among incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP), Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The poll is widely regarded as a referendum on Soludo’s performance over the past four years. For the APC, the election presents an opportunity to expand its political footprint in the South East, a region where the party has struggled to gain control. The Labour Party, buoyed by the popularity of its 2023 presidential candidate and former Anambra governor, Peter Obi, will be testing its enduring influence in the state. The PDP, meanwhile, is seeking to regain lost ground after years of internal crisis and declining relevance in Anambra politics.

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Interestingly, none of the four leading candidates hail from the same local government area, creating a diverse contest map. Ezenwafor is from Idemili South LGA, Moghalu from Nnewi North, Ukachukwu from Nnewi South, and Soludo from Aguata LGA. Except for Ezenwafor, whose Idemili South falls under Anambra Central Senatorial District, the other three contenders come from Anambra South, setting up an intense intra-zonal rivalry.

Political observers note that Governor Soludo’s growing closeness to President Bola Tinubu could be a significant factor in the election. During Tinubu’s visit to Awka earlier this year, Soludo publicly declared APGA’s support for the president’s 2027 re-election bid — a gesture that has sparked speculation that the APC may be less confrontational in this contest.

Today’s exercise also marks the first major election under the leadership of the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), who assumed office only weeks ago. Civil society organisations have described the Anambra poll as a critical test of his capacity to deliver credible, transparent elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.

As voting begins this morning, security agencies have assured residents of safety, while observers and stakeholders will be monitoring closely to see whether Anambra once again upholds its reputation for vibrant but largely peaceful democratic participation.

2.7 million Anambra voters to decide next state governor today

Ohabunwa named PDP BoT Chairman amid factional shake-up

In a significant development within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Senator Mao Ohabunwa has been elected as the new Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT). The announcement was made on Friday following a high-level meeting convened at the official residence of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.

The meeting, led by Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, also saw the emergence of Hon. Isah Dansidi as the BoT Secretary, replacing Senator Ahmed Makarfi. The reshuffle marks a decisive shift in the party’s leadership structure, with Abdulrahman emphasizing a renewed commitment to the founding principles of the PDP — justice, fairness, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law.

“We have come together not merely to inaugurate a new board of trustees but to renew our faith in the ideals that gave birth to this great political family,” Abdulrahman declared during the inauguration. He attributed the party’s recent internal crises to a departure from core values, citing the abandonment of zoning principles before the 2015 elections as a turning point.

The shake-up follows the suspension of former BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara by the Abia State chapter of the PDP. Abdulrahman described the move as “difficult but necessary,” accusing the previous board of losing its moral compass and compromising neutrality amid ongoing leadership disputes.

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A communiqué issued after the meeting stated that Wabara and Makarfi had “publicly taken positions” in the party’s internal crisis, undermining the impartiality expected of BoT members. The newly constituted board, according to the faction, aims to restore integrity and unity within the party.

Abdulrahman pledged to reposition the PDP through transparent leadership, respect for judicial decisions, and fair congresses. “Under this new leadership, the PDP will never again be held hostage by impunity, manipulation, or disregard for its own constitution,” he said.

The event was attended by key party figures including PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, signaling strong support from influential quarters within the party.

This development comes amid deepening factional tensions within the PDP, with rival camps vying for control and legitimacy. While the Abdulrahman-led faction insists on reform and moral restoration, others remain aligned with former acting chairman Umar Damagun, raising questions about the party’s unity ahead of future elections.

Ohabunwa named PDP BoT Chairman amid factional shake-up