By Michael Ovat-Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has officially launched its nationwide election campaign with a high-profile flag-off ceremony at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, unveiling over 253 standard-bearers across the federation and adopting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its official presidential flagbearer.
During the event, the National Leader of APGA and Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, symbolically presented party flags to 44 candidates contesting legislative seats in the state. The Anambra flag recipients comprise three Senatorial candidates, 11 candidates for the House of Representatives, and 30 candidates for the State House of Assembly.
Addressing party faithful who traveled from across the country to fill the arena, Governor Soludo stated that the decision to adopt President Tinubu aligns with APGA’s identity as Nigeria’s premier progressive party. He noted that progressive forces must unite to foster national development, drawing parallels to APGA’s past endorsements of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 and 2015.
“Today, as we unveil our campaign as the foremost progressive party in Nigeria, we are also officially adopting President Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of APGA,” Soludo declared. “We did it in 2011 and 2015 for President Jonathan. We are repeating it in 2027, because progressives are working together to support a President who loves Ndi Igbo and Ndi Anambra.”
The Governor highlighted key federal infrastructure projects in the South East, including the dualization and rehabilitation of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, among many other infrastructure projects, as concrete evidence of the administration’s commitment to the region. He emphasized that politics must be anchored on tangible benefits, enlightened self-interest, and strategic voting bargains.
Calling on candidates and party members to embark on door-to-door campaigns ahead of the polls on January 16 and February 6, 2027, Governor Soludo assured the candidates that he would be actively campaigning alongside them in the field. He urged voters to make a clear distinction between reason and emotion, expressing confidence that APGA’s grassroots strength will deliver victory.
Also speaking at the event, the APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, praised Governor Soludo for conducting transparent and competitive party primaries in strict compliance with electoral laws.
Barrister Ezeokenwa stated that the steady influx of new members into APGA is a direct testament to the Governor’s people-oriented policies. Reaffirming that “Anambra State remains APGA land,” he expressed unwavering confidence that the party will secure a decisive mandate at the polls.
