Tag: Anambra State

  • Crisis rocks Anambra community over Igweship tussle

    Crisis rocks Anambra community over Igweship tussle

    By Ovat Abeng

    There is crisis currently rocking Ihite community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State over plan to crown a traditional ruler for the community.

    It was gathered that a section of the community loyal to the President General, Mr George Madu plans to crown chief Timothy Ifurunwa as king on Easter Saturday, a move that members of the traditional council of the community has vowed to vehemently reject, describing Ifurunwa as an illegal monarch.

    The traditional council of the community, who are the kingmakers has raised the alarm over attempt by the president general of the community, Mr George Madu to crown an alleged illegal monarch for the community.

    The council in a petition addressed to governor of the state, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and the State Commissioner of police, CP Ikioye Orutugu said the event if allowed to continue would cause breakdown of law and order in the area.

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    In the petitions to the duo, which were made available to journalists, the counsel to the traditional council of the community, Barr Ndubuisi Onyeakpa said the coronation ceremony is being planned for April 19, despite the objections of the kingmakers of the community and a pending court suit.

    The petitions urged both the governor of Anambra State and the commissioner to intervene to avoid any breech of peace.

    Onyeakpa said: “Members of Ihite Traditional Council; Sir Dominic Ahamkaonye, Mr. Ephraim Anudu, Ichie Dennis Ohajekwe and Iche Anthony Okoli were people selected by various villages in Ihite under the leadership of late Igwe B.O. Ofu, Eze Amama I of Ihite as members of Ihite Traditional Council.

    “They worked with Igwe B.O. Ofu in settlement causes and matters revolving around tradition, native law and custom of Ihite Town before Igwe B.O. Ofu joined his ancestors in 2020.

    “Unfortunately however, after the death of Igwe B.O. Ofu, dispute arose on who will succeed the throne and procedure for the succession. Sequel upon the development the president general of Ihite Mr. George Madu unilaterally went into amendment of Ihite chieftaincy constitution when he discovered that original chieftaincy constitution executed by Igwe B.O. Ofu did not favour his choice candidate, Mr. Okwudiri Ifurunwa.”

    Recall that Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo had on January 13, issued certificate of return to Mr Timothy Ifurunwa, who was rejected by members of the community.

    A claimant to the stool, Chief Ikechukwu Samson Okoli told journalists that Ifurunwa is an illegal monarch, and a making of the president general of the community, George Madu, who he said connived with the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Tonycollins Nwabunwanne to deceive the governor into issuing him a certificate of recognition.

    “Our Igweship stool is rotational, and it rotates around the villages in the community, and after the demise of Igwe B.O Ofu, my village, which is supposed to produce the next monarch, choose me as the next monarch, but the President General unilaterally amended the constitution even without the traditional council, and went ahead to pick Ifurunwa as Igwe, who is from the last village.

    “We have dragged them to court, but they jettisoned the court process to pick Ifurunwa as Igwe and even as the matter is still in court, they want to crown him. I want to call on the governor and the CP to stop it to avoid breakdown of peace in the community.”

    In his petition to both the governor and the CP on behalf of the traditional council, Barr Ndubuisi Onyeakpa also added his voice, warning of a possible breakdown of law and order if the coronation is allowed to take place

    The petition read: “The unilateral amendment of Ihite chieftaincy constitution neutralized the involvement of Ihite Traditional Council in the process of selection, nomination, presentation and crowing of a would be traditional ruler of Ihite and introduction of use of electoral college in the selection of Igwe which is contrary to Ihite chieftaincy constitution.

    “In the light of the above development, the members of Ihite Traditional Council felt aggrieved and approached court to nullify the amended.

    “Despite the pending of the subject matter in court, George Madu, Okwudiri Ifurunwa, Michael Ugwu, Sunday Nwankwo and Lazarus Eze, had fixed 19 day of April, 2025 for the inauguration of new Traditional Council of Ihite and coronation of Okwudiri Ifurunwa as new Igwe of the town despite motions pending in the High Court to stop the process.

    “We call on you to use your good office and the Chief security officer of the state to look into this matter and prevent the suspects from going against the law and respect the process of court rather than taking steps that will cause breach of peace and break down of law and order in Ihite town knowing full well that taking step over a matter that is pending in court amounts to total disrespect to the court and rule of law which a person who is holding himself out as a royal father should not undermine the process of court,” the petition read.

  • Police arrest man for attempting suicide after killing 68-year-old mother

    Police arrest man for attempting suicide after killing 68-year-old mother

    By Ovat Abeng

    Police Operatives attached to the Ekwulobia Divisional Police Station have arrested one Nnamdi Anyaji ‘M’ aged 49 years of Amudo Village, Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, who attempted to take his own life after killing his mother Mrs Dorathy Anyaji of the same address aged 68 years.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who disclosed this in a statement in Awka, on Sunday, said the arrest took place on 11th April 2025 by 1.40pm.

    He noted that the operatives also recovered one Axe at the scene.

    According to Ikenga, preliminary information reveals that the squabble started when the suspect accused the deceased of being dishonest about the money realized from a cassava business.

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    Meanwhile, the suspect is in custody and under close monitoring so as not to commit suicide and would be charged to court after the investigation.

    Also, Police Operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad Enugu-Ukwu in the early hours of the same date acting on credible information raided a criminal drugs camp at Umuokpala Village in Orumba North LGA, arrested 12 suspects selling and taking hard drugs, recovered some sizeable quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, illicit drugs and other implicating items.

    The suspects are: Ifeanyi Bernard, Emmanuel Ugwu, Thankgod Kelechi, Umeh Chidera, Aguiyi Onyeka, Onyeka Martin, Festus Ihezie, Chibundu Nicholas, Solomon  Obiefule, Chibundu Daniel, Neke Shedrack and Nwazufu Kingsley all males and within the age bracket of 20 – 29 years. They have been handed over to Operatives of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for necessary action.

  • Nawfia community laments food shortage over 15-years abandoned collapse bridge

    Nawfia community laments food shortage over 15-years abandoned collapse bridge

    By Ovat Abeng

    The people of Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has lamented food shortage over fifteen years abandoned collapse bridge in the town.

    They said the bridge known as “Ezu Nawfia Bridge” is the only entrance point to their farm land and neighbouring Abagana community in the council area.

    They lamented that the incident have turned many farmers in the community into begging.

    They also lamented that some residents had relocated out of the community due to the inconvenience and associated risk of walking through the scraped of the bridge to their farm.

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    The people expressed their ordeals when officials from the State Ministry of Environment pay an inspection tour to the site of the collapse bridge, on Friday, where the assure the people of government quick intervention.

    According to the President General of the town, Chief Daniel Okoye, who also spoke, the affected bridge constructed immediately after the Civil War collapsed 15-years ago and ever since then the bridge had remain abandoned and all our efforts to draw federal/state government attention have  probe abortive despite NEW-MAP visit to the site recently.

    “My people are seriously hungry and suffering because of lack of access road to their farmland.

    “Well-to-do individuals in the community have been spending millions of naira working around the bridge that have en masse into gully erosion to prevent the menace from destroying housing and other valuable properties in the community.

    “We are urging the state governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo to extend his solution agenda to Nawfia community to enable us bounce back to our farming status, we are ancestrally know for,” the PG stated.

    Responding on behalf of the State Government, the leader of the inspection team, Lady Okpala Chidnma, assure the people that the government of Prof Soludo will do everything possible to address the challenged.

    She also assure the people that their message will get to the table of the governor through the Commissioner of Environment, Dr. Felix Odumegwu.

    She equally urged the people to exercise patient with the government.

  • Developer destroys economic trees worth millions of naira in Anambra

    Developer destroys economic trees worth millions of naira in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    Economic trees yielding millions of naira to the owners have been destroyed by a developer in Urum community, in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Farmlands being prepared for farming activities were also destroyed when the said developer invaded the Ochiokwa portion of land belonging to Urum Community without any legal backings.

    To this end the elders of Urum together with the town union executives have called on the Anambra State government to as a matter of urgency call the developer, Nwaguatahihia to order to avoid break down of law and order in the peaceful agrarian town.

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    The people including aged men and youths trooped out in their numbers converged on the land screaming about what they described as total economic destruction of livelihood at a time that the government is preaching agriculture and encouraging more farming activities.

    The elders of Urum gathered at the parcel of Land called Ochiokwa, with a view to meeting with a developer, Nwaguatahihia who claimed he bought land from some persons in the Community.

    The President General, Sir Felix Ifebumma narrated that they had resolved that the developer and those who allegedly sold the land to him would be present at Ochiokwa to stand in front of their lands since they claimed ownership of Communal lands.

    Sir Ifebumma however regretted that the original owners of the land appeared in their numbers together with youths of the Community, but both the developer and the alleged sellers did not show up , confirming that they were fraudsters parading as land owners.

    He regretted that despite all the warnings and efforts, the developer had gone ahead to bulldoze economic tress worth over One Billion naira..

    Two indigenes of Urum, Chief Godwin Onyibo and Mr Lawrence Anowai while showing their portions on the land, reiterated that there was not plan to sell it to any developer as it was their inheritance.

    Also speaking, Leonard Eze from Umude Clan, Akitinyi village and Nze Patrick Okolo from Ifiteora Village, wondered how a developer would come into a community to buy land from few youths rather than asking for proper guide and direction on the original owners of such land.

    Chief Edwin Okafor, Chief Wilfred Jideuno and Mr Chukwuemeka Nwoye therefore appealed to the relevant authorities in the state to come to their rescue by calling the developer to order.

    The respondents unanimously reiterated that the Ochiokwa land was for farming activities and not for sell for any reason as it was being reserved for their upcoming children.

    According to them,the continued activities and invasion of Urum by Nwaguatahihia if not put on check by the relevant government authorities poses great danger to the entire community as he have allegedly continued to use money to influence and instigate few bad elements against the entire people.

    They also used the medium to commend Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his developmental strides so fat across the state promising to keep supporting his administration to make Anambra a liveable Prosperous homeland for all.

    Meanwhile the land developer and Real Estate Mogul, High Chief Okechukwu Kingsley Chukwueme (Nwaguatahihia ) Properties had told journalists that he bought the Ochiokwa land from the rightful owners in Urum contrary to speculations.

    According to the Developer, the land was properly documented and due process followed in acquiring it from the people.

    High Chief Chukwueme explained that five Indigenes of the community who owns the land unanimously sold it to him with the traditional ruler of the community as a witness.

  • Anambra 2025: Why I am contesting under YPP – Paul Chukwuma

    Anambra 2025: Why I am contesting under YPP – Paul Chukwuma

    By Ovat Abeng

    The former aspirant of the All Progressive Congress APC, in the November 8, 2025 Anambra State governorship election, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has given connecting Anambra to the National Government as his major reason why he defected to the Young Progressive Party YPP, to continue the electoral process.

    He said his vision is to secure opportunities for the state’s uplift.

    Chukwuma disclosed this in his acceptance speech, shortly after emerging unopposed at the YPP governorship primary election, held at the party’s Secretariat in Awka on Thursday.

    He said his administration, if elected will key fully into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewal Hope Agenda.

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    According to him, I am contesting the election under the YPP political platform to enable me actualized my vision of continue Anambra State to the centre.

    “YPP is a party of decipline which is why I contesting the election under the platform. The party and Paul Chukwuma want good things for Ndi-Anambra.

    “I defected to YPP to improve peace, unity, togetherness and also to address the issue of Monday sit-at-home order in the state and South East region in general.

    My focus is to connect Anambra State to the national government to secure opportunities for the state’s uplift.

    With my emergence as the YPP candidate, the political landscape in Anambra is set for an intriguing contest.

    Chukwuma also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in advancing his administration’s Hope Agenda.

    He appreciated God for making the event a huge success.

    In his remark, the YPP National Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Bishop Amakiri, praised Chukwuma for his potential to expand the party’s reach and enhance its political prospects.

    Amakiri noted that Chukwuma would bring substantial value to the YPP’s political fortunes in Nigeria.

    It was gathered that the YPP primary election, conducted using the Option A4 method, was declared peaceful, transparent, and fair by Bar Vidieno Bamayi, Chairman of the Election Committee and National Secretary of YPP and Chukwuma scored 366 ‘yes’ votes, with eight delegates voting ‘no’.

  • OCHA BRIGADE find missing 17-year-old boy in Onitsha

    OCHA BRIGADE find missing 17-year-old boy in Onitsha

    By Ovat Abeng

    Officials of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA BRIGADE), have found a 17-year-old missing boy, Sunday Aniwachukwu, in the bridge head area of Onitsha, the commercial city of the State.

    The Onitsha Unit Coordinator of OCHA BRIGADE, Mr Ejike Odife, who disclosed this to journalists shortly after handing over the boy to the family at his office in Onitsha, on Friday, said the boy was seen on Tuesday April 8th, 2025 at the Onitsha bridge head en-routing to Delta State barefooted.

    “The boy was found wandering around the bridge head barefooted on April 8 at about 4-5pm on Tuesday.

    According to Odife, the boy was taking into custody for safety because of his abnormal display, noting that the parents were contacted through the boy’s phone.

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    The coordinator while commending the Managing Director of OCHA BRIGADE, Comrade Celestine Anere, for his continue training and re-training of men/women of the Brigade on intelligence gathering, urged parents prioritized monitoring the day-to-day activities of their children.

    In her appreciation speech, the grandmother of the boy, Mrs Monica Aniwachukwu, said the boy escaped from where his currently receiving mental challenge treatment at St. Michael Spiritual Church Ikerefi-Igbanoacha community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    According to her, the mental-illness started  last year November 2024 in Ondo State where the both resided with the boy”s biological parents.

    Mrs Aniwachukwu, thanked the Brigade for rescuing her grandchild.

    Meanwhile, the Director of Anambra State Anti-Touting Squared, (SASA), Mr Solomon Onwuemene, has reiterated that the Squad under his watch will continue to work in synergy with the Nigerian Police Force, the Military and other security agencies to keep Onitsha and it environ free of crime.

    Onwuemene stated this while briefing Journalists at his office in Onitsha, on Thursday shortly after a media tour across the commercial city of the state to assess the performances of the Squad since it establishment in 2022 by governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

    He attributed the huge success the Squad have recorded so far in the ongoing war against touting, pick-pocketing, once chance, illegal tax collection, child-trafficking, armed robbery and other criminal activities to the collaborative effort of other security agencies, particularly, the Police and Army.

    He said that what Governor Soludo has done is a clear manifestation that he has the interests of Ndi Anambra at heart and listens to the yearnings of the citizenry.

    He explained that the activities of touts have caused untold hardship to the people of the state, as well as those who come to Anambra for business transactions especially in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi.

    He noted that with the establishment of SASA, touting and other type of criminalities has become a thing of the past in Anambra State.

    The SASA boss appealed to citizens both at home and in the diaspora to support the current administration in the state for it to succeed for a greater Anambra that will be secure, liveable and prosperous.

  • Anambra 2025: AA elects Jeff Nweke as candidate

    Anambra 2025: AA elects Jeff Nweke as candidate

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Action Alliance (AA), has elected a notable Awka community leader, Ozo Jeff Nweke as its governorship candidate for the Anambra November 5, 2025 governorship election in the state.

    Ozo Nweke emerged as candidate of the party in AA gubernatorial primary held at Jessie Hotel Awka, on Thursday, after scoring a total of 58 votes to defect two other aspirants, Mrs Amarachukwu Ekwunife Obiora and Mr Michael Enemou who scored 8 and 6 votes respectively.

    Speaking shortly after announcing the result, the chairman of the Congress committee, Hon Chigioke Onyekaonwu, said that AA was positioned to win the November 8 election, given its popularity, manifestoes and moto, centring on safeguarding human lives.

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    Onyekaonwu noted that Anambra needs a capable man like Jeff Nweke to  provide adequate security, infrastrural development and enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

    In his acceptance speech, Ozo Nweke, assure that if elected, his administration will prioritised on employment to end the lingering unemployment challenged ravaging the state at the moment.

    Nweke thanked the party leadership, particularly the delegates for electing him to fly the party ticket for the November 8, gubernatorial election.

    The election conducted under option A4 also witnessed the presence of INEC officials, Security agencies and the Media.

  • Securities and Exchange Commission Partners UNIZIK’s Centre For Capital Market To Boost SME

    Securities and Exchange Commission Partners UNIZIK’s Centre For Capital Market To Boost SME

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria has given its full backing to the upcoming Conference/Workshop on Harnessing Capital Market Opportunities for the Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Investment Sustainability, scheduled for May 2025.

    This development marks a significant milestone for Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, as its Centre for Capital Market Studies takes the lead in fostering financial literacy, deepening market participation, and enhancing access to capital for SMEs across the country. Stakeholders, industry experts, academics, and entrepreneurs are expected to participate in what promises to be a groundbreaking event, this writer reliably gathered.

    In a letter addressed to Prof. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, Director of the Centre for Capital Market Studies, SEC Nigeria commended the Centre’s commitment to financial education and inclusivity, emphasizing the workshop’s alignment with the Commission’s broader mandate. The letter, signed by Bola Ajomale, Executive Commissioner, Operations, on behalf of SEC Director General, Dr. Emomotimi John Agama, expressed SEC’s enthusiasm to collaborate, pledging active participation in the event.

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    Speaking on this landmark partnership, Prof. Onyeizugbe, alongside his Deputy Director, Prof. Promise Oparah, reaffirmed the Centre’s readiness to work closely with SEC in delivering a world-class event that will not only enlighten SMEs but also connect them to sustainable investment opportunities.

    The success of this initiative would not have been possible without the visionary leadership of the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu, whose support has created an enabling environment for impactful research and academic excellence. His confidence in the Centre’s leadership has further strengthened UNIZIK’s reputation as a hub for innovation and economic development.

  • Anambra 2025: 60 Support Group Hold Rally For Soludo’s Reelection Bid

    Anambra 2025: 60 Support Group Hold Rally For Soludo’s Reelection Bid

    By Ovat Abeng

    In a massive show of support, sixty support groups, comprising 120 thousand members under the umbrella of All Soludo Support Groups (ASSG), have endorsed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s bid for a second term.

    The groups presented a whopping thirty million naira to the Governor at the International Convention Centre, Awka, on Thursday to support his re-election campaign.

    Governor Soludo, overwhelmed by the gesture, revealed that there is a consensus among community leaders, APGA stakeholders, youths, and students alike, urging him to run for a second term.

    He attributed this consensus to the visible developments and projects executed by his administration, which has positively impacted the lives of Anambra residents.

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    The Governor reiterated his commitment to sustaining the vision of “One State, One People, One Agenda,” prioritizing the needs of ndi Anambra and executing projects that have transformed the state. The Governor, thereafter, expressed his profound gratitude to all the support groups as well as their leadership

    The Coordinator of the All Soludo Support Group, ASSG, Mr. Chinedu Nwoye, flanked by other conveners, pledged to support the governor in fulfilling his manifesto and vision for the state.

    In their separate contributions, the convener of APGA FAN Club International, Hon Chief Obiajulu Nwoye, convener of Youth Earnestly Support Soludo YESS, Dr Nelson Obinna Omenugha, the State Commissioner for Finance, Hon Izuxhukwu Okafor and the convener of Solution Vanguard, Chief Vin Ezeaka, expressed their profound satisfaction with the sterling achievements of the administration saying that they did not make a mistake by supporting the Governor’s first term in office.

    They noted that the major aimed of ASSG is to mobilized for the governor’s second term bid to enable him actualized his vision of making Anambra a clean, green, smart, secure, livable and prosperous state in Nigeria.

  • Anambra APC primaries: Paul Chukwuma appeals to delegates for votes

    Anambra APC primaries: Paul Chukwuma appeals to delegates for votes

    By Ovat Abeng

    As the All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates prepare to cast their votes on April 5, 2025, in what is poised to be a landmark decision for Anambra State, Sir Paul Chukwuma has written an impassioned open letter urging them to choose a candidate capable of leading the party to victory in the upcoming governorship election.

    In the letter, Chukwuma stresses the significance of the delegates’ role in shaping the future of Anambra, framing the decision as one that will impact not only the APC but also the state’s future prosperity. He emphasizes that this election is not just a selection of a candidate but a pivotal moment that will define the direction Anambra will take in the years to come.

    Chukwuma presents himself as the candidate best equipped to steer the APC to success, urging delegates to look past transient promises and distractions. He emphasizes his long-standing commitment to the APC, noting his dedication as a former Zonal Youth Leader and National Auditor. These positions have allowed him to contribute significantly to the party’s development in the state.

    “I have stood with this party from the beginning—not because of what it offers me, but because of what I know it can offer the people of Anambra,” Chukwuma writes. He contrasts his loyalty with other politicians who have frequently switched parties for personal gain, positioning himself as a steadfast and reliable choice for the APC.

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    The letter further underscores Chukwuma’s efforts to strengthen the APC in Anambra over the past three years, forging connections with party members, executives, and stakeholders across all 21 local government areas. He believes his broad support base within the grassroots will provide the necessary momentum for a successful electoral campaign.

    “I have earned the trust and respect of our grassroots. With this broad support base, I am confident our party will march into the November elections united, energized, and poised for victory,” Chukwuma asserts.

    One of the critical points in the letter is Chukwuma’s emphasis on his legal, intellectual, and emotional qualifications, which he believes sets him apart from potential candidates facing eligibility challenges. “With me, there is no such uncertainty,” he states, suggesting that his candidacy is legally sound and free from distractions.

    Chukwuma also frames the election as a challenge not just of ideas but of strategy and stamina. In a pointed reference to the incumbent Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Chukwuma argues that to defeat a sitting governor of Soludo’s stature, the APC needs a candidate who matches Soludo’s intellect but surpasses him in vision and strategic thinking. “I am that candidate,” he declares, pledging to engage Soludo on all fronts with a message of change and development.

    Recognizing the intense demands of a political campaign, Chukwuma also reassures the delegates of his readiness. He describes himself as young, vibrant, and physically fit to endure the rigours of campaigning, and he is confident in his ability to fund a robust, sustainable campaign.

    In conclusion, Chukwuma urges delegates to decide based on loyalty, vision, and qualifications rather than distractions or fleeting promises. He calls on them to vote for him as the candidate who embodies the strength and commitment necessary to lead the APC to victory and secure a prosperous future for Anambra.

    “On April 5, 2025, vote for a candidate who embodies the strength, vision, and commitment needed to propel APC to a resounding victory,” Chukwuma concludes, rallying the delegates to choose him for the greater good of Anambra and the APC.

    The delegates’ decision on April 5 is expected to be pivotal in determining not only the APC’s candidate but also the broader political landscape in Anambra ahead of the 2025 governorship election.