Mr. Pope Amaefuna, a prominent member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Anambra State, has cautioned the party against fielding any candidates beyond the southern senatorial zone because doing so could upset the state’s current zoning scheme.
In an interview with journalists in Awka, he issued the warning and said that fielding a candidate from any zone other than the South would be the simplest way for the APC to lose the state in 2025.
The zone is also home to Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the newly elected governor of Anambra State.
According to Amaefuna, the zoning principle’s implementation has contributed to the relative stability, equity, and fairness of Anambra State politics.
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The major political parties accepted the power rotation model, which was evident in the selection of candidates that were fielded in the previous ten Anambra elections.
“In actuality, the APC cannot afford to carry on engaging in opposition politics in Anambra State, and every effort must be made to guarantee a change in power during the 2025 gubernatorial election.
“Given the makeup of the Anambra electorate, it would be safe to say goodbye to the party’s hopes of becoming governor because the move would cut short Anambra south’s remaining four years in office if the APC makes the mistake of not fielding a strong and well-liked candidate from Anambra south in favour of showcasing a candidate from any other zone.
The suggestion is that a fresh contender from any other zone might perhaps assert an eight-year term as opposed to the current four, which is the last thing that any rational Anambra would want in this day and age.
Amaefuna said that some people have been attempting to support the state’s disregard for zoning laws because they have hidden agendas, but that doing so could cause the party to lose the election the next year.
He stated that “very importantly, the advocates and proponents of no zoning should be cautious about what they advocate because they run the risk of swallowing their own vomit.”
Given the current political climate in Anambra State, historical indices corroborate the assertion that any party that disobeyed the zoning mechanism agreed upon by stakeholders in the state’s governorship seat rotation has no chance of winning the upcoming governor’s race.
The Anambra State APC can only prevail in the 2025 Anambra State gubernatorial contest if we can band together and lend our support to a formidable candidate from Anambra South who possesses the skills, networks, and grassroots support necessary to tie the APGA in the polls.
“The national working committee of APC should identify and punish the card-carrying saboteurs in APC who have distracted themselves and positioned themselves on the negotiation table with APGA with the intention of sabotage the party in exchange for a few wads of dollar bills.”
“Any APC member who is currently advocating against zoning has been compromised and given orders to work against the party; as such, they ought to be viewed as party enemies who are actively undermining the party’s goals.
“The Republicans cannot keep abandoning their own candidates. In 2025, it’s time to unite, confront the unacknowledged issue, and make a powerful impression, he continued.
