By Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Former All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant, Chief Paul Chukwuma, has emerged as the Young Progressive Party (YPP) candidate for the upcoming Anambra State governorship election.
Chukwuma secured the YPP ticket in a primary election held on Thursday, 10 April 2025, in Awka. The process was described as peaceful and transparent. He left the APC after resigning and withdrawing from its primary, citing alleged irregularities.
As the sole YPP aspirant, he faced no opposition. The election, conducted using the Option A4 voting system, saw Chukwuma win decisively. YPP National Secretary and Election Committee Chairman, Bar Vidieno Bamaiyi, announced, “The election was conducted in line with the constitution of the party and the Electoral Act. It was peaceful and transparent.”
He added, “We had only one aspirant, Sir Paul Chukwuma, but we still adhered to the party’s constitution and guidelines by conducting a vote. Sir Paul Chukwuma scored a total of 366 ‘yes’ votes, while eight delegates voted ‘no.’ By the powers vested in me as the Returning Officer, I hereby declare Sir Paul Chukwuma the winner and duly returned as the YPP candidate on this day, April 10, 2025.”
YPP National Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Bishop Amakiri, presented Chukwuma with the party flag. He praised him as a valuable asset and expressed confidence in his ability to boost YPP’s profile and win the election.
In his acceptance speech, Chukwuma thanked party members and outlined his vision. “YPP is a party of disciplined members, and I am confident that more people will soon join us. Our target is the Government House, Awka, and with your support and the grace of God, we shall get there,” he said.
He stressed connecting Anambra to national politics. “I am in YPP to take Anambra State to the centre, where we will be part of the government in power. This will uplift our dear state and bring development to our people,” he added.
Chukwuma promised a campaign focused on discipline, unity, and progress, urging Anambra residents to join him.