Paul Chukwuma, former National Auditor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Pro-Chancellor of Olivia University, Burundi, has rebuffed claims of a political arrangement zoning the Anambra 2025 governorship position to any specific area. He contends that zoning is a tactic crafted by the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to cling to power in Anambra State.
Chukwuma made these assertions during discussions with the leadership of the APC in Anambra State at his residence in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, on Saturday. His consultations aimed to bolster the APC’s presence in Anambra and prepare for the upcoming gubernatorial election in 2025.
He argued, “Since the inception of Anambra State in 1991, every gubernatorial election has seen qualified indigenes from various areas contest, regardless of political zones. Zoning was purportedly initiated in 2013, but candidates from all zones still contested. Zoning is a fallacy concocted to serve a narrow agenda.”
Chukwuma attributed the concept of zoning to APGA, suggesting it as a tactic to destabilize rival parties. He claimed that APGA has exploited zoning to maintain dominance, as it strategically favors the party’s electoral fortunes.
“To challenge APGA, one must field a candidate outside their zoning formula,” Chukwuma emphasized. He urged APC members in Anambra to assert the party’s superiority and embrace its principles fearlessly.
Highlighting the APC’s significance in the South-East’s development, Chukwuma stressed that governance transcends regional boundaries, advocating for the adoption of innovative solutions to address the state’s challenges.
“In our quest for effective leadership, we must not stifle progressive ideas. The APC remains a viable platform for fostering development and prosperity in the South-East,” he concluded.
