Caleb Ani Clinches APC Enugu South Chairmanship Ticket in Landslide Victory

|By Sammie Echi-Agbo 

Rt. Hon. Caleb Ani has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship primary election, securing a total of 17,691 votes out of 20,078 accredited party members in Enugu South Local Government Area.

Hon. Ani was declared winner of the primaries on Tuesday after the exercise was conducted across the 13 wards of the council area, with party members and stakeholders participating in large numbers across the local government.

Declaring the outcome, the Chairman of the APC Chairmanship Primary Election Committee, Hon. Eze Jude Chuka, said the process was peaceful, transparent, and reflected the will of party members. 

He was joined by the committee secretary, Eze Chukwuka Paul, and member, Hon. Zahra Ifeoma, who jointly confirmed Ani’s victory after collation at the council headquarters, Uwani.

According to the committee, the exercise recorded full ward participation, with accreditation put at 20,078 members. 

Officials of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), including Hon. Barr. Onyeka Chukwuegbo, Osita Egbuke, and Tochukwu Emelife, monitored the process and affirmed that it reflected credible ward-level voting across the council area.

The APC Chairman in Enugu South, Hon. Freedom Nnam, in a symbolic display of party unity, immediately presented the party flag to Rt. Hon. Caleb Ani and his running mate, Hon. Tony Egbo, shortly after the announcement of results.

Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the Enugu State Government, raises the hand of Rt. Hon. Caleb Ani shortly after his declaration as winner of the APC Enugu South chairmanship primary election at the council headquarters in Uwani.

Speaking after the exercise, the Commissioner for Local Government and Rural Development, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, described the outcome as a product of party unity and grassroots confidence. “This is a clear expression of trust in leadership continuity and performance. What we are seeing is stability and collective agreement on direction,” he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Princess Obiajulu Ugwu, said the process reflected strong grassroots participation. “Our people have spoken clearly. What we are witnessing is political maturity and unity across wards,” she noted.

Hon. Chimaobi Atu, Member representing Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency, commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise, saying: “This is one of the most organised local government primaries we have seen. It shows growing political awareness among the people.”

Former Member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Offor Chukwuegbo, also praised the process, describing it as a “rare demonstration of internal party cohesion,” while former Council Chairman, Hon. Sam Ngene, said the outcome reflected “deep-rooted support for continuity and grassroots development.”

In his remarks, Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the outcome aligned with the state government’s governance philosophy. “What we are seeing is consistency in leadership direction. It reinforces confidence in the system and strengthens development coordination at the grassroots,” he said.

Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the Enugu State Government, addressing stakeholders during the APC Enugu South chairmanship primary election at the council headquarters in Uwani, Enugu South Local Government Area.

Speaking after his emergence, Rt. Hon. Caleb Ani attributed his victory to widespread support across the 13 wards. “I remain grateful to our people for this overwhelming confidence. This is a mandate rooted in the grassroots, and we will not take it for granted,” he said.

He pledged to deepen infrastructural development and human capital programmes, adding: “We will remain focused on practical governance that delivers real impact to our people.”

Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Rt. Hon. Caleb Ani, APC Enugu South chairmanship candidate, and other party stakeholders shortly after the declaration of results at the APC primary election held at the Enugu South Local Government Headquarters, Uwani.