The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared Mimi Ifeoma Azikiwe, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), winner of the just concluded Onitsha North Constituency 1 State Assembly By-poll.
The by-election, which held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, witnessed a peaceful and harmonized turnout across the constituency’s polling units. Voters trooped out to elect a new representative.
According to the official result announced by the INEC Returning Officer, Mimi Ifeoma Azikiwe polled the highest number of valid votes cast, defeating other candidates of other political parties to clinch victory.
Returning Officer, Prof. Ibiam Ekpe announced the result in the early hours of Sunday, said Azikiwe secured 7,774 votes to defeat her closest rival, Justice Azuka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who got 1,909 votes.
According to Ekpe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ezennia Ojekwe, got 1,371 votes, while Njideka Ndiwe of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) scored 655 votes.
INEC thanked the electorate, party agents, and security agencies for maintaining order during the exercise. The electoral body also reaffirmed its commitment to credible, free, and fair elections in Anambra State and across Nigeria.
Speaking after the declaration, Hon. Mimi Ifeoma Azikiwe, daughter of Odi Ikpeazu expressed gratitude to the people of Onitsha North Constituency 1 for their overwhelming support. She promised to work tirelessly to bring legislative dividends to her constituency, focusing on grassroots development, youth empowerment, and improved social welfare. She also promised to bridge the gap between the constituents and government.
The victory further strengthens APGA’s presence in the Anambra State House of Assembly, reinforcing its role as the dominant political force in the state.
Mimi Ifeoma Ikpeazu
Let us dive into the personal details of Mimi Ifeoma Ikpeazu highlighting her humanitarian, legal and political journey:
1. Founder of Themis Foundation:
Her NGO outfit, the Themis Foundation, has impacted many lives positively by delivering direct support, providing legal assistance, basic healthcare, and other crucial services to the needy, effectively bringing the dividends of democracy and charity to Nigerians without holding political office.
2. Legal Advocate and Social Crusader:
Mimi Ifeoma Azikiwe is a passionate lawyer who has committed her career to protecting the rights of the disadvantaged, especially those unjustly imprisoned. She generously offers pro bono legal representation and has aided in decongesting prisons and combating the criminalization of poverty. She's also a Cyber security analyst.
3. Political Journey:
APGA Candidate for Onitsha North Constituency I: In August 2025, Mimi ran under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) party in the Anambra State by-election. Her record of charity, uncommon social contributions and experience in political topics has earned her the people's choice projecting her victorious by INEC after conclusion of Onitsha North Constituency 1 By-Election.
3.0. Slained Former Occupant:
Recall that former member representative, Hon Justice Azuka was abducted on 24th December 2024, enroute Ugwunaobankpa in Inland Town, Onitsha, while he was on driving to his home during Christmas period. His decomposing body was later discovered near the Second Niger Bridge on 6 February 2025. He was laid to rest in his home town Ogbeoza Village, Onitsha 15th february, 2025.
Leadership Vision & Values
Assertively, she states:
“I come with experience, empathy, and a track record of service that speaks for itself… I have been a lawyer for over fifteen years… I worked within the National Assembly… I have written the motions. I have helped craft the bills… I already serve. I am not here for power. I am here for purpose.”
Her campaign—backed by youth-driven groups preaches inclusivity, transparency, and generational change. She aims to bring modern, responsive governance to her constituents.
Controversy:
Justina Azuka, wife of slained member representing Onitsha North Constituency 1 after burial and funeral of her husband, Justice Azuka indicated interest to continue from where her husband stopped, however, she was reportedly denied APGA ticket and was welcomed by ADC subsequently. ADC was a coalition of political big weights who are going to wrestle Power with President Bola Tinubu in the coming presidential election, this coalition was necessitated by massive cries for positive change in Government to ease the burden of the poor masses as Nigerians and Nigeria is deeply being plunged into economic crisis as many are impoverished more everyday. This coalition has gathered support recently followed unofficial defection of Peter Obi from Labour party to ADC, citing betrayal by Labour party due to their politically-motivated internal brouhahas.
Justina Azuka & Peter Obi:
Peter Obi endorsed Justina Azuka and supported her. Quoting him:
“On the 16th of August 2025, Nigerians will go to the polling units again for the bye-elections,” Mr Obi said.
He added, “I humbly urge every member of Obidient and COPDEM families to go out and vote for the coalition political party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), in their respective states.”
Mr Obi explained that his endorsement of ADC candidates was “because the Labour Party has no recognised candidates by INEC due to the internal crisis.
Critiques Counters Justina Azuka's Decision to replace her husband:
Some people have criticized and condemned Justina Azuka's resolve to contest for Onitsha North Constituency 1 By-Election to replace her slained husband, by this development, Hon Azuka said that her reasons for this decision is to continue the good works of her husband, to become the voice of the voiceless and campaign for social and basic amenities for the needy and facilitate rural development.
In this sequel, many people criticized her decision with the opinion that she should have collected whatever offer that was giving to her, face her kids and give them better life since her husband is no longer there and her children are still kids to manage them as a politician. Same critiques said that vying for political office should be a merit, not a sympathetic and emotional affairs.
