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Anambra 2025: Pressure mounts on APC over zoning agreement
The All Progressives Congress (APC) faces a challenging situation ahead of the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State.
Anambra has an unwritten zoning arrangement for the governorship, rotating among the state’s three senatorial zones. This arrangement became more significant in 2012 during the end of then-governor Peter Obi’s administration. Obi insisted that the ruling party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), select a candidate from Anambra North to ensure balance after governors from the South and Central zones had served. Obi’s push resulted in the election of Obiano from the North, solidifying the zoning practice.
As Governor Chukwuma Soludo nears the end of his first term, the demand for governorship candidacy has intensified. However, the APC appears to be considering abandoning the zoning arrangement by opening the contest to all zones. In June, the APC Elders Forum, led by Chief Innocent Obi, reinforced the importance of maintaining the zoning formula, arguing that the APC must field a southern candidate to have a chance in the election. Obi emphasized that breaking this agreement would harm the party’s prospects.
Despite this, some party members argue against zoning. The APC Progressives Media group claims that zoning arguments are misleading and that the party should focus on the popularity and acceptance of candidates regardless of their zone. They pointed out that previous APC candidates were selected based on these criteria, not zoning.
The Anambra State Chapter of the APC also dismissed zoning, stating that the party has no such arrangement and provides a level playing field for all aspirants.
Political analysts warn that disregarding the zoning agreement could harm the party’s chances. Chijioke Eze, a political analyst, noted that the APC has consistently lost elections with its current strategy and suggested that the party needs to change its approach. Dr. Justin Ogoo Nwankwo added that the APC should focus on equity and capacity by selecting a strong candidate from the southern zone to challenge Soludo.
Currently, two APC members, Senator Andy Ubah from Anambra South and Paul Chukwuma from Anambra North, have expressed interest in the governorship ticket.
Dangote Refinery has announced that it will need to export 95-97 percent of its Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) due to low interest from Nigerian marketers. The refinery, which processes 650,000 barrels per day, revealed that only 3 to 5 percent of petrol marketers are purchasing its fuel.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, shared these details during an X Space session hosted by Nairametrics on Wednesday. He highlighted the challenges facing both the Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Edwin explained, “I’m selling 2 to 3 percent to small traders who are willing to buy, while the remaining 95 to 97 percent has to be exported,” referring to the local sales of the refinery’s products.
This situation arises as the NNPCL’s deadline for adjusting the Dangote Refinery’s fuel distribution approaches without a clear plan in sight. It is worth noting that while Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has announced the refinery’s initial petrol rollout, its distribution to marketers is contingent upon NNPCL’s decisions.
The final sixteen teams for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia have been determined following the conclusion of the group stage.
In recent matches, Ghana triumphed over New Zealand with a score of 3-1, and Japan secured a 2-0 victory against Austria.
As a result, Japan has advanced to the Round of 16, joining the other 15 teams in this knockout stage.
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The full lineup for the Round of 16 is as follows:
- Spain vs Canada
- Brazil vs Cameroon
- Colombia vs South Korea
- Mexico vs USA
- North Korea vs Austria
- Germany vs Argentina
- Netherlands vs France
- Japan vs Nigeria
The Nigerian Army has refuted claims of widespread resignations among its soldiers due to issues like corruption and low morale.
In a statement, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, dismissed these reports as unfounded.
A news outlet had alleged that numerous Nigerian soldiers were resigning because of corruption and low morale. However, the statement condemned these allegations as misleading and a deliberate attempt to create discontent and undermine the Nigerian Army’s reputation and the dedication of its personnel.
Major General Nwachukwu clarified that, similar to other military organizations worldwide, service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary rather than mandatory. This means that personnel have the freedom to resign following established procedures.
He explained that the resignation process allows personnel to prepare and manage their entitlements, including pensions and gratuities, as outlined in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers).
Contrary to the report’s implications, the statement emphasized that Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is a priority under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
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