By Iroyin Yoruba Television
The political contest for the Anambra South Senatorial District has taken a new turn after Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate Chief Ebuka Onunkwo responded to comments attributed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, saying he would not engage the governor in a war of words ahead of the 2027 elections.
Onunkwo made the statement during a meeting with supporters in Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area, following remarks reportedly made by Soludo during a recent visit to Ekwusigo Local Government Area.
The exchange has attracted attention because both men are prominent figures in Anambra's emerging 2027 political contest, although they belong to different political platforms.
Onunkwo is the NDC candidate for Anambra South Senatorial District, while Soludo is the governor of Anambra State and a leading figure within the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the party that controls the state government.
Rather than escalating the disagreement, Onunkwo said he would continue to concentrate on his political campaign and his plans for the senatorial district.
WHAT TRIGGERED THE RESPONSE
The disagreement followed a recent appearance by Soludo in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, where the governor commissioned a road project.
According to reports of the event, Soludo made comments about Onunkwo's decision to enter politics and encouraged residents to support the APGA candidate, Senator Emma Nwachukwu.
The comments were interpreted by reports as a reference to Onunkwo's background as a businessman and industrialist.
Onunkwo subsequently addressed the matter while speaking to supporters in Nanka.
Rather than responding with an attack on the governor, he described Soludo as an elder and said he did not consider it appropriate to engage him in an exchange of insults.
He also said he was proud of his record as a factory owner and businessman.
The response has introduced a different tone into a political contest that is expected to become more active as the 2027 elections approach.
ONUNKWO SAYS HIS CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT
Onunkwo has positioned his Senate campaign around economic development, infrastructure, employment and social services in Anambra South.
His campaign organisation lists security, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, infrastructure and support for traders and farmers among the areas it intends to focus on.
The campaign's published programme includes proposals for primary healthcare facilities, skills and entrepreneurship programmes, road development, improved electricity and water access, and measures intended to support farmers and traders.
The candidate has also argued that his experience as an industrialist gives him practical knowledge of the challenges facing businesses and workers.
His campaign materials describe him as a businessman who has worked in the industrial sector and say his political ambition is aimed at securing greater representation for communities in Anambra South.
Those are campaign positions put forward by the candidate and do not constitute an independent assessment of their feasibility or likely impact.
A CONTEST INVOLVING DIFFERENT POLITICAL PLATFORMS
The Anambra South contest is part of the wider political realignment taking place ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onunkwo was previously associated with APGA before moving to the NDC.
His campaign organisation says he joined the NDC after earlier attempts to secure the APGA platform for the senatorial contest did not produce the desired outcome.
The move placed him in direct political competition with candidates supported by the party controlling the Anambra State Government.
The development illustrates how political affiliations can change ahead of general elections as aspirants seek platforms through which they can contest.
For voters in Anambra South, the eventual contest will involve comparing candidates, their records, programmes and political platforms.
WHY ANAMBRA SOUTH MATTERS
Anambra South is one of the three senatorial districts in Anambra State.
The district includes communities across the southern part of the state and contains major commercial and industrial centres.
The area has historically produced influential political figures and business leaders, making the Senate contest significant within the state's political environment.
The district also contains major economic centres such as Nnewi, which is widely associated with manufacturing and private enterprise.
Issues concerning infrastructure, electricity, business development, transportation, security and employment are therefore likely to feature prominently in campaigns.
Candidates will also have to address the expectations of urban communities, rural residents, traders, farmers, young people and business owners.
THE ROLE OF SOLUDO
Governor Soludo's involvement in the contest reflects the broader role that state governors often play in senatorial and legislative elections.
As governor, Soludo is a leading figure within APGA and has publicly supported candidates contesting under the party's platform.
The governor's comments in Ekwusigo were made while commissioning a state project and engaging with residents.
His support for APGA candidates places him on one side of the political contest, while candidates from opposition parties are seeking support from the same electorate.
The governor's political influence in the state is therefore likely to remain an important feature of the campaign environment.
At the same time, candidates such as Onunkwo will seek to establish their own political identities rather than allowing the contest to become solely a referendum on the state government.
ONUNKWO CHOOSES A NON-CONFRONTATIONAL RESPONSE
Onunkwo's response to Soludo's comments was notable for its emphasis on avoiding a personal political confrontation.
He said he would not insult the governor because of their difference in political positions.
Instead, he presented the governor's reference to his factory ownership and industrial background as recognition of his business activities.
That response allowed Onunkwo to redirect the discussion toward his own political objectives.
He said his decision to seek election was motivated by a desire to attract development and what he described as the dividends of democracy to Anambra South.
His position is that political disagreements should not prevent elected representatives from working with state authorities when such cooperation benefits constituents.
A PROMISE TO WORK WITH THE STATE GOVERNMENT
Onunkwo has separately said he would work with Soludo if elected to the Senate.
That position is significant because federal legislators and state governments often have overlapping interests in areas such as infrastructure, education, security and economic development.
Although senators operate at the federal level, they can lobby federal institutions for projects and programmes in their constituencies.
A senator can also participate in legislation, oversight and federal budget processes affecting the state.
Cooperation between a senator and governor therefore does not necessarily require that both belong to the same political party.
Onunkwo's public comments suggest that he wants to distinguish political competition from the practical responsibilities of representation.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SENATORIAL REPRESENTATION
The Senate is part of Nigeria's National Assembly and performs legislative, oversight and constitutional functions.
Senators represent their districts while participating in national lawmaking and oversight of government institutions.
For constituents, therefore, a senatorial election is not simply a contest over local development projects.
Candidates must also explain their positions on national legislation, federal spending, economic policy, security, education and other matters under the authority of the National Assembly.
Onunkwo's campaign has so far emphasised development and representation at the constituency level.
Other candidates are expected to present their own programmes and records as the election approaches.
THE 2027 CAMPAIGN ENVIRONMENT
The Anambra South contest is unfolding within a much larger national political environment.
The 2027 general elections will feature multiple political parties and candidates, with competition expected across presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives contests.
Campaigns are already becoming more active, and political figures are increasingly using rallies, meetings and public events to present their positions.
The Anambra South contest reflects that wider process at constituency level.
Candidates must establish their political identities, build support among communities and explain why voters should choose their platforms.
At the same time, political parties must coordinate their candidates and local structures.
POLITICAL DISAGREEMENTS AND PUBLIC DISCOURSE
The exchange between Soludo and Onunkwo also illustrates how personal remarks can become part of electoral campaigns.
Once comments by political leaders are reported publicly, opposing candidates may respond, supporters may debate them and the issue can become part of campaign messaging.
Onunkwo's decision not to escalate the exchange represents one possible approach to handling such disagreements.
Rather than making the dispute the central focus of his campaign, he has attempted to redirect attention toward his business experience and political programme.
Whether that strategy becomes a broader feature of the campaign will depend on how the candidates and their supporters conduct political engagement in the months ahead.
WHAT VOTERS CAN EXPECT
As the election draws closer, voters in Anambra South are likely to hear more from the competing candidates.
The issues may include road infrastructure, security, education, healthcare, employment, industrial development, agriculture and federal representation.
Candidates will also be expected to explain how their proposals would be implemented and what role a senator can realistically play in delivering them.
This distinction is important because senators have legislative and oversight responsibilities that differ from those of governors and local government officials.
Understanding those responsibilities can help voters assess the specific promises made during campaigns.
ANAMBRA'S CHANGING POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
The dispute also comes at a time when political affiliations in Anambra are evolving.
The movement of politicians between parties has become part of the preparations for the 2027 elections.
Candidates are seeking platforms, parties are building coalitions and established political figures are working to consolidate their support.
The NDC's presence in Anambra South adds another political option to the contest.
APGA remains an important political force in the state, while other national parties are also expected to compete.
The resulting contest gives voters a wider range of candidates and political messages to consider.
THE CAMPAIGN AHEAD
The latest exchange between Soludo and Onunkwo is unlikely to be the final political disagreement in Anambra South before the election.
As campaign activities increase, candidates will inevitably challenge each other's records, programmes and political decisions.
The quality of the political debate will depend on whether those disagreements remain focused on issues or become dominated by personal attacks.
For Onunkwo, his latest response indicates an intention to keep his campaign focused on representation and development rather than an extended verbal confrontation with the governor.
Soludo and APGA, meanwhile, will continue to campaign for their preferred candidates.
The competing campaigns will ultimately provide voters with different arguments about how Anambra South should be represented at the National Assembly.
THE ROAD TO 2027
The Anambra South senatorial race is now becoming another visible part of Nigeria's preparations for the 2027 elections.
Onunkwo has publicly responded to comments attributed to Soludo but has declined to escalate the disagreement.
He has instead highlighted his industrial background and his stated intention to pursue development-focused representation.
The governor, meanwhile, continues to support candidates on the APGA platform.
The two political figures may occupy different sides of the electoral contest, but Onunkwo has said that political differences would not prevent him from working with the state government if elected.
That distinction between political competition and governance is likely to remain relevant throughout the campaign.
For voters in Anambra South, the eventual choice will involve several candidates and political platforms, each expected to present its own record, programme and approach to representation.
The latest exchange has therefore added another dimension to the contest without determining its outcome.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the political focus in Anambra South will increasingly move toward the candidates' policies, qualifications, legislative priorities and plans for representing the district at the federal level.
For now, Onunkwo's message is clear: he intends to contest the election, defend his record as an industrialist and avoid turning his disagreement with the governor into a personal political battle.