Governor’s alleged defection plan, Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment stir up fresh crisis In APC – Crime Channels

Governor’s alleged defection plan, Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment stir up fresh crisis In APC

The recent appointment of Ambassador Bianca Odinaka Ojukwu as Minister representing Anambra State has sparked intense behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, hinting at a major shift in the state’s political landscape.

Sources familiar with the situation suggest that the appointment is just the beginning of a broader strategy aimed at solidifying the re-election bid of Anambra Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

A prominent figure in Anambra’s political scene, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Daily Sun, that Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment was a strategic move to align with Soludo’s ambitions.

Ojukwu, widow of the late Biafran leader General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is a key figure in the faction of the party controlled by Governor Soludo.

Her appointment, despite not being a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), signals a shift in the state’s political trajectory. “Bianca’s appointment is not just about her qualifications but is a clear endorsement of Soludo’s political ambitions and the changing tides in Anambra politics,” said a source.

Ojukwu’s rise to the federal cabinet is seen by many as a precursor to Soludo’s possible defection from APGA to the APC, ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial election.

Despite her close ties to APGA, Ojukwu’s appointment to a ministerial position—over APC stalwarts in the state—has raised eyebrows among both APGA and APC members. The appointment is perceived as a strategic move by Soludo to navigate the fractious politics within APGA and position himself for a fresh political opportunity, potentially within the APC.

A source close to the APC in Anambra revealed that there are growing concerns among party members about Soludo’s potential defection.

“If Soludo moves to the APC and gets the governorship ticket, there will be a massive exodus of APC members to the Labour Party,” the source said, adding that key stakeholders within the APC are already threatening to leave or actively work against Soludo if he secures the ticket.

The rift within APGA, the party on which Soludo was elected in 2021, has deepened significantly in recent months.

The faction led by Soludo, which is aligned with Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa as national chairman, was recently disavowed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to a court ruling.

Instead, the faction led by Chief Edozie Njoku is now officially recognized by INEC.

This legal recognition of the Njoku-led APGA has created a precarious situation for Soludo.

Political analysts argue that unless a new court ruling favors Soludo’s faction or he reconciles with the Njoku-led leadership, the governor risks running for re-election without a party affiliation or finding himself sidelined in the upcoming election.

Soludo has consistently refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Njoku-led APGA and has reportedly vowed never to accept its authority. Meanwhile, APGA’s national leadership has shown no hesitation in threatening sanctions against Soludo for alleged anti-party activities.

Chief Chekwas Okorie, the party’s founding national chairman, publicly criticised Soludo for his disruptive actions and warned that the governor’s continued destabilization of the party could lead to severe consequences.

In response to these mounting challenges, Soludo is reportedly seriously considering an exit from APGA and a switch to the APC. His decision, sources suggest, could be driven by his belief that he will receive an automatic APC governorship ticket for the 2025 election.

There are also reports that Soludo is exploring the possibility of merging the APGA structure in Anambra with the existing APC framework, thus consolidating his control over the state’s political machinery.

Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment to the federal cabinet is seen as part of Soludo’s broader plan to strengthen his position ahead of this transition. Her surprise emergence has raised eyebrows among both APC and APGA leaders in Anambra, many of whom were unaware of the political undercurrents that led to her appointment.

The state’s APC chapter, in particular, has voiced its dissatisfaction, describing Ojukwu’s selection as a violation of party loyalty, which could demoralize the party’s grassroots supporters.

Furthermore, Soludo’s rumored intentions to present an APGA member as the APC candidate for the upcoming Senatorial by-election in Anambra South—following the tragic death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah—has added fuel to the fire.

Sources claim that the APC national leadership, aware of Soludo’s potential defection, has granted him considerable leeway to select the party’s candidate for the by-election.

Although rumors of Soludo’s impending defection to the APC have been circulating since President Bola Tinubu’s victory in 2023, both Soludo and his aides have denied any such move. However, the recent developments surrounding Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment and the growing discord within APGA suggest that Soludo’s next political move is imminent—and could redefine the political dynamics in Anambra State for years to come.