Political Propaganda or Strategy? The Thin Line in Anambra’s Pre-Election Drama
As Nigeria edges closer to the November 8, 2025, Anambra gubernatorial election, the political arena is already heating up with tactics that raise a crucial question: Is everything truly fair in political warfare?
Not long after Senator Uche Ekwunife was unveiled as the running mate to Nicholas Ukachukwu, the APC’s flagbearer for the upcoming gubernatorial race, political mudslinging took an early front seat. Supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) quickly resurfaced an old video clip in which Ekwunife, serving as the Director General of the South-East Governors Forum (SEGOF) at the time, publicly praised Governor Charles Soludo. In the footage, she encouraged the public to visit Anambra and witness the infrastructural strides the governor had achieved.
For APGA loyalists, the intent was clear highlighting the apparent contradiction in her new alignment with a rival party. However, politics being the ever-revolving game of narratives, APC sympathizers were quick to clap back.
Earlier this week, APC supporters retaliated by circulating another video this time featuring Governor Soludo in a meeting with Anambra-based content creators. One of the content creators, known for impersonating native doctors in comedy skits, was seen demonstrating his act in the presence of the governor. The video was spun to suggest that Governor Soludo had engaged a native doctor in a supposed bid to secure re-election.
The video, taken out of context, quickly went viral and stirred considerable buzz across social media platforms. The controversy prompted an official reaction from the state government, with Christian Aburime, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, issuing a strong disclaimer. He clarified that the individual in the video was merely an entertainer performing his act and that no spiritual consultation had occurred.
These episodes comedic yet deeply revealing underscore a troubling trend in modern political campaigns: the rise of sensationalism over substance. Instead of engaging in issue-based debates, parties appear more interested in recycling viral moments and scoring cheap political points through doctored or misrepresented content.
As the official campaign window opens on June 11, 2025, it is critical that political actors across party lines shift gears toward more meaningful discourse. Anambra’s future deserves a campaign season centered on policies, development plans, and governance not mockery, misinformation, or out-of-context videos aimed at tarnishing reputations.
Voters, too, must rise above the noise. With digital platforms now shaping political narratives more than ever, the electorate needs to remain discerning, questioning the intent behind every viral clip and looking beyond the spin to find the truth.
In the end, while politics will always be a game of strategy, the integrity of that game lies in how it is played. Let the campaigns begin but let them be clean, constructive, and rooted in issues that truly matter.
