The All Progressives Grand Alliance has assured aspirants vying for the November 8, 2025, governorship election of a free, fair, and transparent primary, providing a level playing field devoid of bias or favouritism.
Speaking with our correspondent in Awka on Friday, Tony Olisa-Mbeki, the media aide to the National Chairman of APGA, Sly Ezeokenwa, stated that the party has released the primary election timetable detailing the activities and dates of the exercise.
Olisa-Mbeki affirmed that aspirants who believe they have what it takes to challenge the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for the party’s ticket would have an equal opportunity to participate in the primaries, adding that it would be the most transparent ever witnessed in the history of party politics.
He noted that while it is a universally accepted practice for an incumbent governor, as the national leader of the party, to have the right of first refusal, APGA has chosen to set a new democratic standard by keeping the process open.
He said, “The All Progressives Grand Alliance has once again demonstrated its commitment to transparency and internal democracy by making the process of expression of interest and nomination open in an unprecedented manner.
“Unlike any other political party contesting the same election, APGA has ensured that every aspirant has a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the primaries, which will be the most transparent ever witnessed in the history of party politics.
“While it is a universally accepted practice that an incumbent governor, as the national leader of the party, has the right of first refusal, APGA has chosen to set a new democratic standard by keeping the process open.
“The party has thrown the race open for aspirants who believe they have what it takes to challenge for the ticket. However, it remains the responsibility of interested individuals to step forward and take up the challenge.
“With the expression of interest and nomination forms now pegged at N30 million, the stage is set for a free and fair contest. The party’s decision to proceed this way speaks volumes about its commitment to internal democracy, setting it apart from other political parties where such processes are often shrouded in secrecy.”
Meanwhile, the National Organising Secretary of APGA, Ifeanyi Mbaeri, in a statement on Thursday, announced that interested aspirants would be required to pay N30 million to obtain the nomination and expression of interest forms.
Mbaeri, who also released the primary election timetable, stated that the party’s special state congress and governorship primary election would be held on April 5.
He further revealed that the party approved a five per cent discount on the nomination form for female aspirants and physically challenged persons.
