Former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has refuted claims circulating in political circles that he has endorsed any aspirant ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial election in the state.
In a statement issued by his media aide on Wednesday, Obiano described the reports as “false, misleading, and politically motivated,” stressing that he has not declared support for any individual vying for the governorship seat.
“My focus remains on supporting the continued peace and development of Anambra State. I have not, at any time, endorsed or anointed any candidate for the forthcoming election,” Obiano was quoted as saying.
The clarification follows growing speculation that the former governor, who led the state under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) from 2014 to 2022, had thrown his weight behind a specific aspirant in what many believe could tilt the balance in the politically strategic state.
Political analysts suggest that an endorsement from Obiano — still a significant figure in Anambra’s power structure — could influence APGA’s internal dynamics and voter sentiment ahead of the polls. However, the former governor’s latest remarks appear aimed at dispelling rumors and maintaining neutrality, at least for now.
Obiano called on political actors and the media to avoid spreading unverified information that could heat up the polity or create unnecessary divisions within the state’s political landscape.
As the 2025 race begins to gather momentum, several aspirants within APGA, as well as candidates from opposition parties, have begun informal consultations and grassroots mobilization. However, with Obiano’s public denial, the field remains open and unpredictable.
Observers say the coming months will be critical as the state’s major political figures begin to show their hands in what is shaping up to be another high-stakes electoral contest in the Southeast.
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