The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA has denied allegations that it coerced aspirants for the Anambra South Senatorial zone and the Onitsha North Constituency One bye-elections to withdraw their ambitions for the party to reach an agreement of consensus candidates for the positions.
On Saturday, 19th July, 2025, the APGA had conducted its primaries for the two constituencies in line with the calendar of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which has fixed August 16, 2025, for the elections.
During the primaries, Emma Nwachukwu emerged as the party’s candidate for the Anambra South Senatorial zone, while Mimi Ikpeazu-Azikiwe won the party’s ticket for Onitsha North Constituency One.
Criticisms have trailed the emergence of the candidates, with many accusing the party of compelling other aspirants to withdraw from the race.
But, in an exclusive interview with the TNC correspondent, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mazi Ejimofor Opara said the criticisms were fueled by the opposition, particularly in Anambra State, where he said, the fear of impending defeat looms large around the opposition camp.
He revealed that the party had adopted the consensus approach for the 2025 National/State Assembly by-elections, due to the very short time frame given by INEC for the conduct of the by-elections, as well as the need to prevent unnecessary waste of resources by aspirants in a contest.
Opara disclosed that weeks before the primaries, interested aspirants for both the National and State Assembly positions across the 16 constituencies in the federation were encouraged to meet and agree on a consensus candidate.
This process, he said, took place accordingly with Aspirants selecting from amongst themselves a consensus candidate.
He further revealed that the party had incentivized aspirants to reach a consensus by approving a full refund of nomination and expression of interest fees for all aspirants where a consensus candidate emerged.
“We have read the series of lies, falsehoods, propaganda, and misinformation currently trending on various social media platforms regarding the just concluded nomination processes of the party for the forthcoming bye-elections.
“It has become extremely expedient that we put up the true information in the public space to engender the trust the public has continued to repose in APGA leadership and in the spirit of transparency, accountability and fairness which have become the hallmark of the party under the current leadership.
“In line with the decision of the Party where a consensus candidate emerges, efforts are underway to refund other aspirants the full payment for their expression of interest and nomination forms. This is the very first time this is happening in the history of the Party,” Opara revealed.
The APGA spokesperson opined that the consensus arrangement has received wide support from party members, except for a few individuals seeking to exploit the aspirants and create unnecessary rancor.
He maintained that the process leading to the emergence of a consensus candidate was strictly the affair of the Aspirants, with the delegates merely affirming the outcome at a well-monitored Primary election in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022.
“No Aspirant was coerced or compelled to withdraw, as the party was prepared for a fair contest if a consensus did not emerge.
“The party urges opposition elements peddling false narratives to focus on mitigating their impending defeat on August 16.
“APGA remains committed to entrenching the democratic process at all times,” he said.
