A former national auditor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Paul Chukwuma, has formally joined the race for Anambra governorship with a promise to prioritise human capital, infrastructural developments and security.

Chukwuma, who is aspiring on the platform of the ruling APC, said he has no fears but rather 100 percent chance to clinged the party’s ticket and emerge victorious at the main pools.
Speaking through the director general of his Primary Election Campaign Council, Hon. Ifeanyichukwu

Ibezi, the guber hopeful said he had contributed significantly to progress of the party and done extensive consultations which would earn him the governorship ticket.

The director general, who spoke with journalists after purchasing the N50 million worth APC’s expression of interest and nominations at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, said:”I can comfortably tell you that we don’t have any fears and his chances are 100%.

“Sir Paul Chukwuma is a party man.

He has done so much for this party. The party, being the purpose-vehicle upon which he will ride on to achieve his ambition and also give victory to our party.

“He started by putting every effort in place to ensure this purpose vehicle is put to use, and he did that by paying for all the 326 ward offices, 21 local government offices of the party and giving the party at the state level a brand new office very close to the Government House. The office is strategically positioned that APC, the biggest party in Africa is prepared to take Anambra State come November 8, 2025.

“Recall that in every election circle, there’s a standard that one week or few days to the election, the IGP would order all the vigilantes to submit their arms to the police headquarters in that state. So we have no doubt, its an existing practice and that’s what’s going to happen. Our major concern is to bring victory and win the election for party.

“Having picked his nomination form, I will also let you know that Sir Paul Chukwuma has already gotten himself ready to contest for this office. He has his agenda, a concise agenda and he says it’s going to be on a three cardinal points agenda. And when you compress it together, we tag it ‘HIS’.

“HIS means – human capital developments, infrastructural developments and security. These are the three major reasons why he decided to contest for the Governorship position.

“There are other enablers in these three core cardinal points and I believe by the time we conclude our primary elections, he would have the privilege of launching his manifestos and begin the process of addressing the people of Anambra State on his core mission to become the governor of the state,” the director general said.

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, with the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, on Sunday.

El-Rufai visited Adamu at the latter’s residence in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

This was made public by an X user and staunch follower of El-Rufai, @UI_Wakili.

He wrote: “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, accompanied by Mallam Bashir Saidu and Dujima Adamawa, paid a visit to former APC Chairman Abdullahi Adamu today at his residence in Keffi.”

The meeting comes barely 48 hours after El-Rufai accompanied former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on a condolence visit to the family of the late Niger Delta activist, Edwin Clark.

Following the condolence visit, El-Rufai and Atiku observed the Friday Jummat prayer together.

Recently, El-Rufai fell out with APC over what he described as the party’s lack of internal democracy.

He claimed that the party’s organs have not convened in the last two years.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Niger State has condemned the appointment of a former APC State Chairman, Engr. Mohammed Jibrin Imam as the Niger State Independent National Electoral Committee, NSINEC.

PDP rejected the appointment in a statement signed by Yahaya Ability, State Vice Chairman and Zonal Chairman, Niger North Senatorial District.

“During the PDP administration, particularly under Governor Engr. A.A. Kure, the State INEC Chairman was Alhaji Maman Auna, a neutral civil servant. Similarly, during His Excellency Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu’s administration, the Chief Servant, it was Alhaji Danlami Dallatu, a neutral person.

“Even during the APC administration of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, it was Alhaji Baba Aminu, a civil servant, ensuring free and fair elections,” Ability said.

He questioned the governor’s decision, saying, “Why is your own different, imposing your will on the people without carrying everyone along?”

The PDP argued that the appointment undermines public trust and creates fear among opposition parties.

The party emphasized that the Nigerian constitution upholds impartiality in electoral processes.

Ability stated, “No opposition party can confidently participate in elections under an electoral body led by a member of the ruling party.”

The PDP urged Governor Mohammed Bago to reverse the appointment and restore public confidence in the electoral process, to ensure a level playing field for all parties.

The party maintained that Niger State deserves fairness, not a system that tilts the electoral process in favor of one party.

Recall the Governor Mohammed Bago had appointed Engr Mohammad Jibrin Imam to head the NSIEC alongside six others.

They include Barr. M.A. Liman as Permanent Commissioner I, Nasiru Ubandiya as Permanent Commissioner II, Yahaya Idris Abara as Permanent Commissioner III, Capt. Mohammed Baro as Permanent Commissioner IV.

Others are Kabiru Tanko Zama as Permanent Commissioner V, Barr. Amina Guar as Permanent Commissioner VI, and Barr. Ahmed Borgu as Permanent Commissioner VII.

The governor stated that their appointment is subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.