Prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Pope Amaefuna has declared that the party’s 2025 gubernatorial candidate for Anambra State must emerge from the southern zone.

Amaefuna stated that the decision is critical for ensuring equity and political stability in the state.

He reiterated the importance of zoning as a universal political principle and a key factor for inclusivity, progressive politics, and equitable leadership.

He also refuted claims that zoning was an invention of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), stressing that it is, in fact, a natural law and a cornerstone of APC’s guidelines.

“Article 20(IV)(e) of the APC Constitution mandates that all considerations must reflect the principle of equitable rotation of political offices to ensure balance, fairness, and equity,” Amaefuna noted.

Amaefuna warned against any attempts to disrupt the zoning arrangement, stating that such moves are driven by personal political and economic interests, which are not in the state’s best interest.

He stated that failing to field a candidate from Anambra South would alienate the APC from the electorate and jeopardize the party’s chances in the upcoming election.

“It is political suicide to ignore the established political culture of Anambra. Such a move will further alienate our great party from an already disgruntled electorate,” he said.

Amaefuna further addressed criticisms that zoning leads to mediocrity, citing examples of political figures who faced corruption charges despite not being products of zoning.

He argued that Anambra South has an abundance of qualified individuals capable of leading the state effectively.

He also cautioned proponents of the “no zoning” stance to consider the broader implications, particularly when advocating for an Igbo presidency at the federal level.

“The APC can only win the 2025 Anambra governorship election if we unite to support a strong candidate from Anambra South who has the capacity, structures, and grassroots following to match APGA at the polls,” Amaefuna stated.

He called on the APC National Working Committee to identify and punish party members who are sabotaging the party’s interests by negotiating with APGA for personal gain.

“Considering the political culture of Anambra state today, any party that did not abide by the zoning formula adopted by stakeholders in rotation of the governorship seat of the state stands no chance of winning the forthcoming guber poll and historical indices support this position.

“The Anambra state APC can only win the 2025 Anambra state governorship election if we can come together and unite to support a strong candidate from Anambra south who has the capacity, structures and personal grassroots’ following to match APGA at the polls.

“The card-carrying saboteurs in APC who have preoccupied and positioned themselves on the negotiation table with APGA with the goal to sabotage the party in exchange for a few wads of dollar bills should be identified by the national working committee of APC and punished accordingly.

“Any APC member who is currently crusading for no zoning has been compromised and commissioned to work against the party and such a character (with their executive sponsors) should be considered enemies of the party who are actively working against the party interests.

“APC cannot continue to betray its own candidates. It is time to come together, cage the white elephant in the room and make a strong statement in 2025,” he stated.