A prominent businessman and estate developer, Chief Peter Nwaedozie, has formally declared his ambition to lead the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nwaedozie pledged to reposition the party, end imposition and rebuild it into a winning political force.
Nwaedozie made his declaration in Awka at an enlarged meeting he convened for party stakeholders, ward and local government executives.
The meeting came ahead of the APC congresses scheduled to begin on February 18, 2026, across the state’s 326 electoral wards and 21 local government areas, culminating in the election of a new state chairman on March 9.
Nwaedozie, remains the only aspirant to openly declare interest in succeeding Ejidike whose tenure expires as state chairman.
Addressing party faithful, he regretted the decline of the party in Anambra and the urgent need for change.
“Why I want to lead the Anambra State chapter of APC is because we need change.“
“Our state chapter of the party has been in a comatose situation such that we can neither win a councillorship nor a House of Assembly seat.”
APC’s poor showing
He dismissed the notion that APC’s poor showing in the state stemmed from a lack of capable members.
Nwaedozie rather insisted that the party was rich in experienced and competent politicians.
“It is not that we do not have people with pedigree to win elections.”
“But we have been lackadaisical in our political approach and promoted imposition and mediocrity over merit and people’s will.”
According to him, frustration within the party has fuelled a growing demand for reform and credible leadership.
“People are asking who will bail the cat, who will help us reposition our darling party and lead us to the promised land of Nigerian politics,” he said. “Now I tell you: I am here. Send me.”
Nwaedozie assured stakeholders that if elected chairman, he would immediately set the party on a new course rooted in internal democracy, accountability and grassroots participation.
He pledged to carry all party members along and reject any form of exclusion or unilateral decision-making.
“On my watch as APC state chairman, consider imposition a thing of the past,” he declared.
“The process will start with the APC congresses from February 18. The will of the people at the grassroots must prevail.”
Befitting party secretariat
He also promised that within his first year in office, the party would acquire and operate a functional state secretariat, ending the embarrassing cycle of renting offices for party activities.
“I did not come to joke. I came with a sense of responsibility and with my eyes focused on repositioning the state chapter to make it one of the best in the country.”
He called on party members, “Let us go to work. It is time to sow the seed, and we shall reap the fruits of our labour.
“After March 9, I will summon you again so we can put our heads together on the way forward. I believe in democracy and I will not run a one-man show.”
Earlier, Chief Nestor Okoro, an elder of the party and coordinator of the Chief Peter Nwaedozie for State Chairman, APC Anambra State Movement, said the gathering marked the beginning of a new chapter for the party.
“We have come to chart a new pathway for Anambra APC. We need change and it is only when we reposition and win elections that we can change ourselves, our communities, our state and our country.
Let Nwaedozie be our collective decision. The era of writing results and imposition bred disaffection and anti-party activities in the past. The new executive must reflect the will of the people.”
Other party leaders including Chief Obi Onwuachu also endorsed Nwaedozie’s aspiration.
“He’s a grassroots politician with strong credentials and urged members to work for his victory.”
Mr Theo Nnorom, a two-time member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, said the upcoming congresses were critical to the party’s future.
“This is a very important exercise. We must have functional executives at the ward level.
“This is our chance to reorganise the party properly from the grassroots.
He commended Nwaedozie for openly engaging stakeholders on his ambition, describing the move as unprecedented in the history of Anambra APC.
“It shows respect and appreciation,” he said. “We shall vote for him.”
