A former governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Azuka Okwuosa, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming Anambra South Senatorial bye-election scheduled for August 16, 2025.
Okwuosa, a former local government chairman, commissioner, and Secretary-General of the South-East Development Initiative, defeated his opponent, Obinna Uzor, at the party’s primary held on Saturday at Anaedo Hall, Nnewi.
He secured 470 votes, while Uzor garnered 57 votes. Twenty-two votes were declared invalid. The primary was conducted by a seven-member committee from the APC national secretariat, led by Chief Henry Ikoh.
Declaring the result, Ikoh confirmed that 594 delegates from the seven local government areas in the zone participated in the election. He said the process was transparent and monitored by INEC officials, security agencies, the media, and party delegates.
“By the authority given to me by the acting national vice chairman of the APC, I declare Azuka Okwuosa the winner of the primary election,” Ikoh announced.
In his acceptance speech, Okwuosa said, “There is no winner or loser—APC won. The real battle lies ahead, and we are determined to retain the seat and continue the legacy of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.”
Speaking to journalists, he expressed mixed emotions, acknowledging the weight of stepping into the shoes of the late senator. “Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was a great legislator. He achieved so much in a short time. I see it as a challenge and honor to continue from where he stopped,” he said.
Born on November 3, 1959, in Jos, Plateau State, Okwuosa has been active in Anambra politics for decades. He previously contested for governor under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and had a brief stint with the PDP between 1999 and 2003 before joining the APC.
The Anambra South senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in 2024. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled bye-elections across 12 states for August 16, 2025, to fill various vacant positions caused by resignations, deaths, and court rulings.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced the dates during a meeting with party leaders on June 26 in Abuja.