Cracks in the Ranks? APC South-East Warns Progressives Divided for 2027
APC leaders in Anambra State have firmly rejected claims of a 'Rainbow Coalition' with other parties for the 2027 elections, insisting on a 'top to bottom' voting strategy for all its candidates. The party emphasized that electing their own members across all levels is crucial for Anambra to benefit from federal appointments. Senator Uche Ekwunife was endorsed as the senatorial candidate, with calls for party unity ahead of the polls.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State has emphatically dismissed claims of a 'Rainbow Coalition' or a working partnership with other progressive parties, notably refuting assertions made by Governor Soludo regarding an alliance between APGA, APC, and the Federal Government. Instead, the party insists on a strict 'top to bottom' voting strategy for all its candidates in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
During an Anambra Central stakeholders’ meeting organized by the party’s senatorial candidate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, in Awka, Dr. Ben Nwoye, the Deputy National Chairman of the APC (South), described the 'Rainbow Coalition' claim as a fallacy. He affirmed the party's commitment to ensuring victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly. Nwoye stated, "APC in Anambra State is a special case; all the lies about Rainbow Coalition started here. We are one APC, campaigns have started; the story that progressives are working together is a fallacy. The only way out and we can benefit is by electing our own people. We have to vote for all our candidates."
Nwoye further elaborated that such claims were being used to deny Anambra State the potential benefits that come from supporting the ruling party at the federal level. He stressed that electing APC candidates at all levels—from the President to senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly candidates—is the only way to secure ministerial positions, board appointments, and other top federal opportunities for the state. He urged party members to vote from "top to bottom or from bottom to top," emphasizing, "We are Progressives but not progressive for other parties; we are clear about who we are."
Echoing this sentiment, Emeka Okafor, the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, reaffirmed the party’s clear message for the January 15, 2027 elections. He stated that APC members would support all its candidates, dismissing those claiming progressive collaboration as self-deceiving. Okafor also announced that peace had returned to the APC in Anambra and called on members to close ranks, pledging national leadership support for all candidates to ensure victory.
The stakeholders’ meeting also saw national officers, party leaders, and members from across the 21 local government areas and Anambra Central Senatorial District endorse Senator Uche Ekwunife as the party’s senatorial candidate. Dr. Obby Achi, the Deputy National Woman Leader (Southeast) of the APC, highlighted Ekwunife’s political experience and commitment, urging strong support from the Central Senatorial district and encouraging reconciliation among any aggrieved party members. She implored members not to repeat the mistakes of 2023.
Senator Ekwunife, speaking earlier, outlined her strategy for the 2027 campaign, stating that the party would campaign on its record and performance. She expressed confidence in her capacity to deliver, noting, "Every community I go I will point out what I have done in that community; that’s capacity and I have the capacity, in fact excess capacity is there to deliver. We have competent people in our party."