APGA Primary Crisis Deepens as Oyi Protesters Storm Govt House, Seek Restoration of Ojicam as Candidate

By Mary Obi

Thousands of protesters from Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday stormed the Anambra State Government House, Awka, to protest the outcome of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) primary election for the Oyi State Constituency legislative seat.

The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene in what they described as the alleged manipulation of the party’s primary election held last Saturday.

The aggrieved party members claimed that Hon. Innocent Ojike, popularly known as “Ojicam,” won the primary election but was allegedly replaced by another aspirant, Mr. Kosisochukwu Ibemesi, whose name was later announced as the party’s candidate for the 2026 Anambra State House of Assembly election.

The protest comes amid growing discontent trailing APGA’s recently concluded primaries, with several aspirants and support groups across the state alleging irregularities and manipulation in the exercise. However, some candidates who emerged victorious have defended the process as transparent and credible.

Addressing the protesters, the State Auditor of APGA, Hon. Uchenna Oraegbunam, alleged that the outcome announced by the party did not reflect the result of the election conducted in the constituency.

“We are here on a peaceful protest to draw the attention of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to what transpired during the Oyi State Constituency primary election,” Oraegbunam said.

“Hon. Innocent Ojike, who is the incumbent member representing Oyi Constituency in the State House of Assembly, won the election and was declared winner at the venue of the exercise.

“We were therefore shocked when the party released the final list and the name of Mr. Kosisochukwu Ibemesi appeared instead. We challenge anyone claiming that Ibemesi won the election to provide evidence.”

Oraegbunam described the development as embarrassing, insisting that stakeholders in the constituency would not accept what he termed injustice.

The protesters marched from the Anambra State House of Assembly complex through Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square to the Government House, chanting solidarity songs and demanding the restoration of what they called the “authentic mandate” of Ojike.

Some of the placards displayed during the protest read: “Bring Back Our Popular Candidate, Ojicam,” “Mr Governor, Do Not Allow This in Oyi,” and “Ojicam Won the Election.”

Responding on behalf of the state government, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Okechi Vincent Egbuna, assured the protesters that Governor Soludo would look into their complaints.

Egbuna urged the protesters to formally document their grievances in a petition addressed to the governor, the leadership of APGA, and the party’s appeal panel for necessary action.

He assured them that the governor remained committed to fairness and justice in the handling of political matters in the state.