Anambra 2021: Soludo Wins APGA Ticket Despite Suspension By Party Faction

A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Soludo has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

Soludo emerged at the party primaries conducted on Wednesday in Akwa.

He scored 740 votes to defeat three other aspirants namely Hon Okwudili Ezenwankwo, Sir Damian Okolo, and Thankgod Ibe who secured fourteen votes, seven votes, and four votes respectively.

The primary election was monitored by a team from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Musa Hununu.

Deacon Samson Olaleye, who led a team from the APGA headquarters declared Soludo winner and handed him the certificate of return.

In his acceptance speech after the primary, Soludo declared that he was humbled by the decision of the party members to make him their governorship candidate.

“This moment is God’s time, and God’s time is the time,” Mr Soludo said.

It will be recalled that a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led by Chief Jude Okeke earlier announced the suspension of Professor Charles Soludo from the party.

His suspension was announced on Wednesday by the Ag. National Publicity Secretary of the Chief Okeke-led faction, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere.

However, reacting to the said suspension, APGA National Chairman, Victor Oye, told the public to disregard the news.

“Who suspended him? Please forget the impostors and desperadoes,” Mr Oye said in a text message to PREMIUM TIMES.

“APGA has no factions. We are one, united party. Ask those parading themselves as acting chairman which convention produced them? I am the only constitutionally, legally and legitimately elected National Chairman of APGA. It is not in contention,” he added.