• The APC in Anambra has no zoning formula and has never been part of any zoning arrangement with other parties
• The APC will give every member an equal chance to compete for its 2025 governorship ticket, regardless of their zone

The Anambra State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the party has no zoning formula and has never entered into any zoning agreement with any political party in the state for the 2025 governorship election.

The party maintained that it has always given every member running for a position the opportunity to compete for the party’s ticket, regardless of where they are from.

Valentine Lyke—Oliobi, the party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, made the statement in response to comments attributed to an APC chieftain, Pope Amaefuna, who warned the party not to field any candidate outside of the southern zone to avoid disrupting the state’s existing zoning formula.

Lyke-Oliobi insisted that the APC’s 2025 governorship candidate would emerge from a popular mandate given by party members or elected delegates, depending on the mode of primary to be adopted.

The Anambra APC stated that Amaefuna is unknown to the party as he is not a registered member in any of the 326 ward chapters or at the state level.

The statement said: “The party also seriously frowns at the crazy allegation by the said Pope Amaefuna describing bona fide members of the party in Anambra State who are not favourably disposed to zoning as saboteurs who have positioned themselves on the negotiation table with the failed party called APGA to sabotage the APC. Such an accusation is simply the result of hallucination.

“The APC in Anambra State reaffirms its commitment to providing equal opportunity and a level playing field for all individuals seeking to fly the party’s flag in the 2025 Anambra Governorship election. It is worth noting that the APC at the national level did not zone the presidential ticket during the last presidential primary but allowed every interested individual to compete for it. This is how the party has always operated, and the Anambra APC will continue to follow suit.

“The 2025 governorship candidate of the APC will emerge through a popular mandate given by party members or elected delegates, depending on the mode of primary to be used, after all stakeholders have reached an agreement.” The APC is a progressive party that will not limit the democratic process to any part of the state.

“We therefore urge fifth columnists to refrain from confusing within the party. If someone chooses to be a member of the APC in Anambra State, he or she should embrace the party’s values. Candidates for the party at all levels are chosen by people from across the state; therefore, we urge those aspiring for any elective position to work hard to gain the acceptance of party members when the time comes rather than focusing on the distracting argument of zoning, which is alien to the APC.”