By Okechukwu Akunna SaharaNews247 Editorial Desk
Anambra By-Elections: APGA Sweep Prompts Soludo to Declare ADC, LP “Dead” — Facts, Results & Implications
Meta Description: After APGA won the Anambra South Senate seat and Onitsha North I Assembly by-election, Governor Chukwuma Soludo mocked Peter Obi, saying ADC and Labour Party are “dead” in Anambra. We verify the statements, present official results, and unpack what it means for 2027.
Introduction
The August 2025 by-elections in Anambra State have triggered intense political debate after Governor Chukwuma Soludo declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP) are “dead” in the state. His remarks followed a resounding victory by the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which clinched both the Anambra South Senatorial District and the Onitsha North I State Constituency seats.
Soludo’s comments were also a direct jab at Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, who had publicly endorsed ADC candidates in the polls. But what do the results really say about Anambra’s political landscape and the strength of opposition forces heading into 2027?
Soludo’s Controversial Remarks
Speaking on Sunday, August 17, 2025, Soludo boasted that the by-election results proved that ADC and LP no longer hold any meaningful influence in Anambra. According to him, over 75 percent of voters supported APGA, leaving little room for rivals.
In a mocking tone aimed at Obi and his allies, Soludo said:
“ADC does not exist in Anambra. We showed it yesterday. Labour Party is dead.”
This statement struck a nerve across Nigeria’s political scene because it questioned both the viability of the opposition coalition using ADC as its temporary platform and Obi’s influence in his home state.
The Election Results at a Glance
Anambra South Senatorial District
Winner: Emmanuel Nwachukwu (APGA)
Votes: APGA – 90,408 | APC – 19,847 | ADC – 2,889
Onitsha North I State Constituency
Winner: Ifeoma Azikiwe (APGA)
Votes: APGA – 7,774 | ADC – 1,909
The numbers show a clear victory for APGA, with margins too wide for either ADC or LP to contest meaningfully. These results also demonstrate why Soludo felt confident declaring opposition parties “dead” in Anambra.
Why These Elections Mattered
The Anambra by-elections were more than just local contests. They were viewed as a test case for the opposition’s coalition experiment and a chance for Peter Obi to prove that his political clout in Anambra could extend beyond the Labour Party label.
Several key factors made the elections critical:
1. Opposition Coalition Test: The decision to run under ADC was meant to unify anti-incumbent votes. Instead, it exposed weaknesses in organization and strategy.
2. Obi’s Tactical Pivot: Obi urged his supporters to back ADC candidates instead of LP nominees, hoping to consolidate strength. The strategy did not succeed in Anambra.
3. APGA’s Fortress Advantage: Anambra remains APGA’s stronghold, benefiting from deep grassroots networks, incumbency advantages, and strong brand loyalty.
The Bigger Picture: Is ADC and LP Really “Dead”?
While Soludo’s declaration holds some truth in the Anambra context, it is misleading to suggest that ADC or LP is finished nationally. A wider look at results across the 16 constituencies contested in Nigeria’s August 2025 by-elections shows a more nuanced picture.
In some states, ruling parties held on to their strongholds.
In others, the APC flipped seats from the PDP, showing that local dynamics vary.
The ADC experiment struggled in many areas, highlighting that coalition-building requires more than elite agreements — it needs strong grassroots mobilization.
Therefore, while ADC and LP underperformed in Anambra, their national relevance will depend on how they reorganize before 2027.
What It Means for Peter Obi
For Obi, these elections were a test of his ability to sway votes in his home base outside of the Labour Party structure. The results raise serious questions:
Can Obi’s personal influence alone deliver victories without strong party machinery?
Will his supporters remain loyal if asked to shift allegiances in future coalitions?
Does LP need to rebuild its ground game in Anambra rather than outsource candidacies to ADC?
The by-elections show that endorsements alone are not enough; a sustained, organized, and well-funded grassroots campaign is essential.
Lessons for Each Political Camp
For APGA and Soludo
The victories confirm APGA’s dominance in Anambra. To maintain momentum into 2027, APGA must strengthen its ward-level structures, continue community engagement, and highlight visible development projects under Soludo’s leadership.
For ADC and Coalition Partners
The ADC’s poor performance is a wake-up call. Opposition coalitions must focus on clear messaging, credible candidates, and grassroots mobilization. Without these, coalition politics will remain symbolic rather than effective.
For LP and the Obi Movement
Obi remains influential, but influence must be backed by infrastructure. To compete in Anambra, LP must build lasting community presence, establish constituency offices, and invest in door-to-door mobilization rather than depending solely on Obi’s personal appeal.
Key Takeaways
APGA won both Anambra by-elections convincingly, with wide vote margins.
Obi’s endorsement of ADC candidates failed to translate into voter support.
Soludo’s claim that ADC and LP are “dead” is accurate in Anambra for now but overstated at the national level.
The results highlight the importance of grassroots political organization, especially heading into 2027.
Conclusion
The Anambra by-elections of August 2025 have reshaped the state’s political conversation. Governor Soludo’s triumphalist declaration that ADC and LP are “dead” may be exaggerated nationally, but it reflects the stark reality within Anambra State — APGA remains firmly in control.
For Obi, the elections serve as a strategic warning: political influence must be backed by ground operations, party structures, and consistent engagement with voters. For APGA, the results are a reminder that strong incumbency and local loyalty still matter in Nigerian politics.
As 2027 approaches, the battle lines are clearer than ever. The opposition faces the task of rebuilding trust, rethinking coalitions, and proving it can compete against entrenched ruling parties. Meanwhile, Soludo and APGA will seek to consolidate their dominance in a state that remains their political fortress.
