Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Anambra, has stated that winning the Anambra governorship election is crucial for connecting the South-East to the centre of Nigerian politics.
Onunkwo made this statement on Saturday in Abuja while speaking to newsmen at the APC national secretariat.
His comments followed his screening by the party’s Anambra Governorship Aspirants Screening Committee, ahead of the Nov. 8, 2025 election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onunkwo will compete for the APC ticket with six other aspirants, including Chukwuma Umeoji, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Paul Chukwuma, Valentine Ozigbo, and Edozie Madu.
“The APC winning Anambra is very important so that the people of the state will have that breath of fresh air, and we can be sure of our 2027.
“The South-East must be connected to the centre. We must make that handshake across the Niger,” Onunkwo said.
Onunkwo also lauded President Bola Tinubu for his economic reforms and policies, noting that they were beginning to benefit Nigerians.
He expressed gratitude to Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC National Chairman, for his leadership, describing him as a man determined to ensure the party’s success in Anambra.
He described the APC as the “rejected stone” that had now become the “chief cornerstone” not only in Anambra but across Nigeria.
He highlighted how the party had grown in strength and influence.
On this note, Onunkwo cited the defections of key figures from opposition parties, such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the APC as evidence of the party’s rising prominence and appeal.
Onunkwo lamented the state of insecurity and the lack of infrastructure in Anambra, calling the state “at a crossroads” and in desperate need of good governance.
“The people of Anambra are yearning for a change. They need a governor who will improve security and create an environment where businesses can thrive,” he added.
He emphasised that his primary focus was to ensure the APC’s victory in the upcoming election, regardless of whether he won the party’s ticket.
He affirmed his commitment to support whoever secured the APC ticket for the governorship race.
“I am a party man. Even if I do not win the primary, I will still work for whoever gets the ticket. Power is given by God,” he said.
Onunkwo also expressed support for encouraging more women to engage in politics and lamented the absence of female aspirants for the Anambra governorship race.
He emphasised the need for greater female participation in the political process.
He further noted that the Tinubu-led administration had a history of supporting women, particularly in politics, and that this was a significant opportunity for women to excel in the political arena.
NAN reports that the aspirants, including Onunkwo, had to purchase the APC nomination form for N40 million and the expression of interest form for N10 million.
The party’s primary election is scheduled for April 5.