The All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra State, on Sunday, concluded its primary elections across the 21 local government areas of the state ahead of the local government election scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

According to the final list of candidates signed by the APGA’s Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, and released on Sunday, 16 incumbent chairmen retained the party’s ticket while five were dropped.

The affected incumbent chairmen dropped by the party are the Chairmen of Onitsha South LGA, Emeka Orji; Idemili South LGA, Amaka Obi; Aguata LGA, Dr Chinueze Ofobike; Anaocha LGA, Chief John Ibekwe; and Ekwusigo Local Government Area, James Obi.

Although findings showed that the displaced LG chairmen are among those who had previously served two terms as Transition Committee Chairmen before emerging as elected chairmen under APGA.

They have been replaced by Ifeanyi Onuchukwu (Ekwusigo LGA), Ezeagu Okwey (Aguata LGA), Iloegbunam Obichukwu (Idemili South LGA), Moufonanya Ikechukwu (Onitsha South LGA), and Paulinus Okafor (Anaocha LGA).

The development is currently generating mixed reactions across the state as the affected chairmen are widely regarded as close allies of the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and were believed to be “politically untouchable” while many believing that their removal was either punitive or for lack of performance.

However, the party has not officially stated the reasons for dropping them at the primaries, but it was gathered that the move to drop them is part of a “broader political strategy” to revitalise grassroots administration through new leadership.

When contacted on the development, the APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, dismissed suggestions that the affected officials were “untouchable” or that their exclusion was “punitive”.

Opara said, “They are not untouchables. They have demonstrated capacity and delivered on their mandates. This decision has nothing to do with competence.

“Rather, it reflects the need to allow others the opportunity to serve. The party seeks to revitalise grassroots administration by introducing new leadership.”

“In local government administration, there is a need to inject fresh energy and new ideas into the system to enhance performance.

“We salute their achievements during their tenure, from their time as Transition Committee Chairmen to their service as elected chairmen over the past four years”, he added.

The development underscores evolving power dynamics within APGA, as the party balances continuity with renewal ahead of the local government elections.

Punch Online on December 5, 2025, reported that the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission has released the official timetable, activities, and guidelines for the 2026 local government elections, promising a free, fair, credible, and acceptable poll across the state’s 21 local government areas (LGAs).

According to the timetable released, political party primaries are slated to commence on Thursday, December 18, 2025, and conclude on Monday, February 16, 2026, while the local government election will hold on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

Addressing leaders of registered political parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Awka, ANSIEC Chairman Genevieve Osakwe said the primaries would be closely monitored by commission officials.

Osakwe noted that the commission had earlier published the notice of election on September 3, 2025, in strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and the Anambra State Electoral Law 2024. (The PUNCH)