The Anambra Renaissance Group, the state wing of the Southeast Renaissance Group, has officially endorsed Mr. John Chuma Nwosu as its preferred candidate under the national coalition platform led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This resolution was contained in a communique jointly signed by Professor Zelinjo Igweze and Hon. Barrister Ben Chuks Nwosu, a former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, following their strategic meeting held on Friday, June 21, 2025, in Awka, Anambra State.
In the release issued to the media in Awka by Professor Igweze, the group stated that the decision to endorse Mr. Nwosu was reached unanimously, describing it as “a necessary step to preserve the soul of the state and to usher in a more pragmatic, strategic and inclusive government.”
The group further described Mr. Nwosu as a tech-preneur, a seasoned security expert and an accomplished organizational leader, noting that his worldview, backed by years of relevant experience, is both refreshing and deeply necessary in tackling the state’s current challenges, particularly in the areas of public safety, job creation, infrastructural development, and sustainable wealth generation.
In their communique, the group emphasized that Anambra State requires leadership that moves beyond emotional sloganeering and populist rhetoric, stating that “what we need at this point is not just a candidate with ambition, but one with competence, structure, a proven record of initiative, and a strategic mind capable of interfacing with today’s complex socio-economic realities.”
The Anambra Renaissance Group, which comprises technocrats, former legislators, youth development professionals and senior members of the Southeast diaspora coalition, expressed its full commitment to the broader national coalition efforts currently reshaping opposition politics in Nigeria. The group applauded the consensus reached at the national level on the adoption of ADC as the vehicle for the coalition movement, describing it as “the most disciplined, nationally-spread, and ideologically-aligned party platform among the alternatives available.”
They further called on all forward-thinking politicians and civic actors in Anambra State to rise above partisan calculations and rally behind the coalition. “We do not have the luxury of fragmentation,” the communique read. “Anambra’s political class must think beyond personal interest and embrace a collective mandate. The time to align is now.”
The endorsement of Mr. Nwosu is already generating significant reaction among political observers, many of whom believe that the move by the Anambra Renaissance Group signals a clear shift in political alignment in the state. Several analysts noted that the group’s support for a candidate with strong private sector and technology credentials suggests a strategic tilt towards competence-based leadership rather than popularity contests. Mr. Nwosu, who has spent years developing security solutions, digital governance systems, and public infrastructure proposals, has long been associated with reform-focused advocacy in southeastern Nigeria.
In his response to the endorsement, Mr. Nwosu expressed his gratitude to the Anambra Renaissance Group, calling their decision a “clear mandate from men and women of conscience who desire a return to excellence, integrity and strategic thinking in Anambra leadership.” He reaffirmed his commitment to a people-centered government that will “balance innovation with local relevance, security with dignity, growth with accountability.”
Mr. Nwosu also acknowledged the importance of the diaspora community in shaping the future of the state, calling on Ndi Anambra across the globe to “translate their concern into coordinated action by supporting credible platforms that put Anambra first.” He noted that remittances, expertise, and digital connections from the diaspora would be critical in supporting his administration’s proposed economic blueprint, which includes a major focus on digital economy hubs, coordinated public safety infrastructure, and youth innovation centers.
The communique from the Anambra Renaissance Group also laid out its expectations. It charged Mr. Nwosu to remain accountable, accessible and consistent with his message of competence and equity. “This endorsement is not a blank cheque,” Professor Igweze noted. “It is a statement of confidence built on expectation. John Chuma Nwosu must prove that Anambra can run on vision, structure, and people-driven governance.”
Across Awka, Nnewi, Onitsha and other parts of the state, discussions around the endorsement are already gaining momentum. Several youth-focused civil society organizations have welcomed the development, noting that it may finally open the door to a departure from “business-as-usual” politics. A number of professional and women-led groups have also indicated plans to engage Mr. Nwosu’s campaign team in consultations around health, education, trade, and rural development.
The ADC, in a brief statement issued through its National Publicity Directorate, welcomed the endorsement, calling it “an affirmation of our candidate’s preparedness, relevance, and alignment with the hopes of the people.” The party reiterated its position as the coalition anchor party and confirmed that it is finalizing plans to deploy a broad-based, constituency-responsive campaign across the South-East.
The party noted that “the coalition’s strength lies in its cohesion and capacity to attract leaders of integrity. John Chuma Nwosu fits this vision. He has clarity, policy direction, and the discipline of a statesman. We will support him with everything the coalition represents.”
At the national level, this endorsement adds momentum to the ADC-led coalition’s vision of a united, credible, and people-focused opposition. The strategic endorsement of a candidate like Nwosu, whose credibility cuts across demographic and economic lines, represents a subtle warning to dominant political structures in Anambra that the electorate is no longer interested in recycled promises.
As the political space in Anambra State begins to take definitive shape ahead of the upcoming elections, observers are watching closely to see whether other regional blocs and civic groups will follow the Renaissance Group’s lead. With the growing relevance of the diaspora voice, digital organizing, and coalition politics, John Chuma Nwosu’s candidacy may represent more than just an ambition; it may mark the beginning of a larger realignment rooted in clarity, competence, and collective interest.
Source: Nkem Anthony Nwanneka, Political Consultant to ADC National Chairman
