By Ovat Abeng
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in Anambra State, on Sunday, concluded its primary elections across the 21 local government areas of the state ahead of the local government election scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
According to the final list of candidates signed by the APGA’s Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, and released on Sunday, 16 incumbent chairmen retained the party’s ticket while five were dropped.
It was gathered that the affected incumbent chairmen dropped by the party are the Chairmen of Onitsha South LGA, Emeka Orji; Idemili South LGA, Amaka Obi; Aguata LGA, Dr Chinueze Ofobike; Anaocha LGA, Comrade Romanus Ibekwe; and Ekwusigo Local Government Area, James Obi.
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Although findings showed that the displaced LG chairmen are among those who had previously served two terms as Transition Committee Chairmen before emerging as elected chairmen under APGA.
They have been replaced by Ifeanyi Onuchukwu(Ekwusigo LGA), Ezeagu Okwey (Aguata LGA), Iloegbunam Obichukwu (Idemili South LGA), Moufonanya Ikechukwu (Onitsha South LGA), and Paulinus Okafor (Anaocha LGA).
The development is currently generating mixed reactions across the state as the affected chairmen are widely regarded as close allies of the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and were believed to be “politically untouchable” while many believing that their removal was either punitive or for lack of performance.
However, the party has not officially stated the reasons for dropping them at the primaries, but it was gathered that the move to drop them is part of a “broader political strategy” to revitalise grassroots administration through new leadership.
When contacted on the development, the APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, dismissed suggestions that the affected officials were “untouchable” or that their exclusion was “punitive”.
Opara said, “They are not untouchables. They have demonstrated capacity and delivered on their mandates. This decision has nothing to do with competence.
“Rather, it reflects the need to allow others the opportunity to serve. The party seeks to revitalise grassroots administration by introducing new leadership.
“In local government administration, there is a need to inject fresh energy and new ideas into the system to enhance performance.
“We salute their achievements during their tenure, from their time as Transition Committee Chairmen to their service as elected chairmen over the past four years,” Opara concluded.
