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Beyond the Flag: Why Tinubu’s Endorsement of Prince Ukachukwu Signals a New Dawn for Anambra

In a momentous political development with wide-reaching implications for the upcoming Anambra State gubernatorial election, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, May 26, 2025, formally presented the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag to Prince Dr. Nicholas Ukachukwu (popularly known as Ikukuoma) and his running mate, Senator Dr. Uche Ekwunife. The ceremony, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, marked a defining milestone in the APC’s roadmap to reclaim Anambra State and set it on a new path of inclusive and transformative governance.

The presentation of the party’s flag by President Tinubu was not just a ceremonial endorsement but a deliberate show of confidence in Ukachukwu’s capacity to turn the tide in Anambra politics. With the emphatic charge—“Go and get me Anambra”—President Tinubu signaled that Ukachukwu is the administration’s preferred candidate to drive the APC’s progressive vision in the Southeast state.

Speaking at the event, President Tinubu emphasized the strategic importance of Anambra to the national political landscape and reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering a stronger synergy between federal and sub-national governments. He praised Ukachukwu for his steadfast loyalty to the APC and commended his history of philanthropy, business acumen, and political experience.

Sources close to the Presidency noted that Tinubu’s endorsement was the culmination of months of consultations and assessments of the party’s internal dynamics in Anambra. Ukachukwu’s landslide victory in the APC primary election on April 5, where he polled 1,455 votes, further reinforced his status as the party’s consensus choice.

The flag presentation has injected fresh energy into the APC’s ranks in Anambra. Party stakeholders, grassroots mobilizers, and political observers see the event as a rallying point to unite the fragmented party machinery in the state. Ukachukwu, a seasoned administrator and former House of Representatives member (1999–2003), has repeatedly called for reconciliation and a common front to win the November 8 election.

His choice of Senator Uche Ekwunife as his running mate is seen as a masterstroke. Ekwunife brings a wealth of political experience and connects deeply with Anambra’s women, youth, and urban electorate. Analysts say the Ukachukwu-Ekwunife ticket represents a balanced and formidable force capable of appealing across religious, gender, and generational divides.

Ukachukwu has built a reputation as a philanthropist and industrialist with tangible investments in education, health, infrastructure, and economic empowerment in Anambra. His campaign has been anchored on what insiders describe as the “3Is Agenda”—Industrialization, Infrastructure, and Inclusion. From drilling boreholes and funding local schools to facilitating international business deals for Anambra entrepreneurs, his interventions have resonated with rural and urban communities alike.

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With the presidential flag in hand, Ukachukwu reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Anambra’s economy, creating jobs, and ensuring security. “This flag is not just a symbol—it’s a call to service,” he told reporters shortly after the event. “Together with our President, we will ensure that Anambra becomes a model of good governance, peace, and prosperity.”

The flag presentation marks a turning point in what many expect to be a fiercely contested gubernatorial race. Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is seeking re-election, but critics say his administration has underperformed in critical areas such as rural development, local government autonomy, and security.

Until Monday’s ceremony, there had been speculation about whether the APC leadership would throw its weight fully behind Ukachukwu. That speculation has now been laid to rest. Political observers note that with Tinubu’s endorsement, Ukachukwu emerges as not only the APC’s flagbearer but a national project backed by the full force of the party’s federal machinery.

The APC is now urging Ndi Anambra to seize this opportunity to align the state with the ruling party at the center. Ukachukwu’s campaign is expected to crisscross all 21 local government areas, leveraging his deep grassroots network and Senator Ekwunife’s mass appeal.

Party leaders say the message is clear: Anambra must join the national movement for economic revitalization and security reform. “This is not just about one man’s ambition,” said a top APC official. “It’s about giving Anambra a seat at the table where Nigeria’s future is being negotiated.”

As the countdown to November begins, the APC campaign is expected to escalate its voter engagement strategy. Sources within the campaign hinted at plans for town hall meetings, policy dialogues, and constituency-specific manifestos tailored to local needs.

Meanwhile, both Prince Ukachukwu and Senator Ekwunife have expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s confidence, pledging to deliver a campaign driven by ideas, not insults.

“This campaign will be about Anambra’s future, not the past,” Ekwunife told reporters. “We will listen, we will serve, and we will transform this state—village by village, town by town.”

The flag presentation by President Tinubu is more than a political ritual—it is a strategic move that reshapes the trajectory of the 2025 Anambra gubernatorial election. With Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu at the helm, backed by a national party, a popular running mate, and a clear mandate, the APC appears poised for a serious challenge to the APGA stronghold.

As one political analyst put it, “Anambra is in for one of the most consequential elections in its history.”

Beyond the Flag: Why Tinubu’s Endorsement of Prince Ukachukwu Signals a New Dawn for Anambra

Last Monday was a pivotal moment unfolded in the journey towards a transformative Anambra as His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presented the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship flag to Prince Dr. Nicholas Ukachukwu( Ikukuoma) and his running mate, Sen Dr. Uche Ekwunife, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This symbolic gesture marks a resounding endorsement of Prince Ukachukwu as the APC flagbearer for the Anambra State gubernatorial election scheduled for November 8, 2025, and carries profound implications for the state’s political and developmental future.

A Seal of Presidential Support

The flag presentation by President Tinubu is more than a ceremonial act—it is a powerful signal of the APC’s unified commitment to reclaiming Anambra State and aligning it with the progressive vision of the Federal Government. President Tinubu’s words during the presentation, urging Prince Ukachukwu to “GO AND GET ME ANAMBRA” with his “FULL SUPPORT,” underscore the confidence the presidency has in Ikukuoma’s ability to lead Anambra into a new era of prosperity, inclusivity, industrialization and infrastructural development. This endorsement strengthens Prince Ukachukwu’s campaign, positioning him as the candidate with the national backing and grassroots appeal needed to deliver victory for the APC.

A Catalyst for Unity and Mobilization

The flag presentation galvanizes the APC’s rank and file in Anambra, signaling a call to unity for all party stakeholders, members, and supporters. Prince Ukachukwu, a seasoned administrator, philanthropist, Industrialist and political strategist, has consistently championed party cohesion. His landslide victory in the April 5, 2025, primary election, securing 1,455 votes, further demonstrated the overwhelming trust placed in him by APC delegates. This presidential endorsement now amplifies his mandate to unite diverse groups—youth, market women, professionals, and grassroots movements—behind a shared vision for Anambra’s progress.

A Commitment to Anambra’s Transformation

Prince Ukachukwu’s candidacy, now fortified by the President’s support, represents a promise to deliver intentional development to Anambra State. His proven track record as a former Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and member House of Representatives (1999-2003) showcases his capacity to drive impactful projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and youth empowerment. His vision for Anambra—rooted in agricultural advancement, security, and economic growth—resonates with the aspirations of Ndi Anambra, who seek a leader capable of addressing the state’s challenges and unlocking its vast potential. The presidential flag presentation reinforces Ukachukwu’s pledge to align Anambra with President Tinubu’s national agenda of inclusiveness and good governance, ensuring the state becomes a key player in Nigeria’s development discourse.

A Strategic Advantage in the Gubernatorial Race

The flag presentation shifts the dynamics of the November 2025 election, positioning Prince Ukachukwu as a formidable contender against the incumbent, Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). While recent analyses have highlighted Soludo’s alignment with federal projects, the lack of traditional political courtesies extended to Ukachukwu prior to this event had raised questions about presidential support. Yesterday’s ceremony decisively dispels those doubts, affirming that Prince Ukachukwu is the APC’s chosen leader to challenge the status quo. His longstanding influence in Anambra politics, coupled with his statewide political structure and grassroots support, makes him uniquely equipped to deliver the state to the APC.

A Call to Action for Ndi Anambra

The flag presentation is a clarion call to the people of Anambra to rally behind Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, a leader whose integrity, compassion, and competence have earned him the moniker “Ikukuoma Ndigbo.” His commitment to youth empowerment, philanthropy, and inclusive governance offers a refreshing alternative to unfulfilled promises. As a business mogul and community champion, Ukachukwu has consistently invested in the growth of Anambra’s people, from providing private jets to support business deals to funding boreholes, schools, and electrification projects. This endorsement by President Tinubu signals that Anambra’s future lies in the hands of a leader who acts, not just promises.

Looking Ahead

With the APC flag in hand and the President’s backing, Prince Ukachukwu is poised to lead a robust campaign that prioritizes the needs of Anambra’s citizens. His partnership with Senator Uche Ekwunife, a seasoned politician with a deep connection to the state’s electorate, further strengthens the ticket’s appeal. Together, they will engage voters across all 21 local government areas, leveraging Ukachukwu’s vision and the APC’s national machinery to secure a historic victory on November 8, 2025.

We urge Ndi Anambra to join this movement for change. Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu’s candidacy is not just about winning an election—it is about restoring hope, driving progress, and building an Anambra that works for all. Let us seize this opportunity to align our state with the center and usher in a new era of transformative leadership and Industrialization.

Anambra Ga Adi Nma Ozo.

Okoye Chidozie Francis