Enugu APC Assembly Primaries: Pius Ezugwu, Onyechi, Ejike Nwa Nsukka, others emerge consensus candidates
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has successfully concluded its state house of assembly primary elections across several constituencies, held on Wednesday, 20th May, 2025 marked by a resounding display of party unity.
In a clear signal of confidence in their current representatives, the party has adopted its sitting members as consensus candidates, turning what was anticipated to be a competitive contest into a day of affirmation.
While the majority of those confirmed are incumbents leveraging their legislative records, the process also saw the emergence of Mrs. Favour Asogwa as a consensus candidate for the Igbo-Eze South constituency, reflecting the party’s strategic approach to the upcoming general elections.
Affirmation of Performance and Legislative Record
The incumbents cited their extensive legislative achievements and oversight functions as the bedrock of their consensus selection.
Hon. Pius Ezugwu (Nsukka East): Highlighting his leadership as Chairman of the House Committee on Land and Urban Development, Ezugwu pointed to the Enugu State Geographic Information System services law as a landmark achievement that curtailed land racketeering. His record also includes road infrastructure projects and the delivery of five boreholes and scholarships to 50 undergraduates.
Hon. Malachy Okey Onyechi (Nsukka West): Onyechi underscored his commitment to legislative duty, appropriation, and constituency engagement. His tenure has been marked by active advocacy for road and water projects, as well as youth empowerment through SME financial aid and influence in job placements across private and public sectors.
Hon. Ejike Eze (Igbo-Eze North I/Ozzi): As Chief Whip of the House, Eze noted that his selection was a testament to his service, which includes the distribution of motorcycles,tricycles, and grinding machines to constituents, alongside scholarship support.
Hon. Nnaemeka Clifford Obe (Igbo-Eze North II): The Chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure emphasized his active role in moving key motions and providing consistent oversight, coupled with support for students and constituents affected by previous election-related losses.
A Fresh Direction: Mrs. Favour Asogwa
In Igbo-Eze South, the party opted for Mrs. Favour Asogwa, a former board member of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede. Stakeholders, including former Local Government Chairman Hon. Peter Andy, described her selection as placing the “right peg in a right hole,” citing her capacity and diligence.
Asogwa expressed a commitment to active representation, criticizing the current incumbent for a perceived lack of visibility and responsiveness to the needs of the constituents.
Readiness for the General Election
The consensus candidates displayed a unified front regarding the upcoming general elections, asserting that their track records leave them unfazed by opposition parties. While acknowledging that fielding opposition candidates is a necessary democratic tradition, the incumbents expressed confidence that their performance would effectively neutralize electoral challenges.
Gratitude to Party Stakeholders
A recurring theme throughout the primaries was the spirit of gratitude directed toward party leadership. The candidates extended their appreciation to stakeholders from the ward to the federal level. In particular, they lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his national leadership and expressed deep appreciation for the “charismatic” and “workaholic” leadership of the Enugu State Governor, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, whose magnanimity and policy direction were credited with enabling the infrastructure development and positive atmosphere that characterized their tenures.