Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has hailed the just-concluded governorship election as the most credible ever conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state’s history.
Speaking in Awka on Sunday after being declared the winner, Soludo described the process as a watershed moment for democracy in Anambra and a model for future elections across the country.
The Returning Officer, Professor Edoba Omoregie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, announced Soludo’s victory at INEC’s headquarters in Awka.
Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), secured 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 99,445 votes. The governor swept all 21 local government areas of the state, becoming the third governor in Anambra’s political history to win a second term.
In his victory speech, Soludo expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, commending him as a “true democrat” for fostering an environment that allowed a free and fair contest. “The people have spoken, and their votes counted. I thank INEC, especially the new Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan. I’m excited that your first impression was an emphatic one, as INEC delivered. This is the best election INEC has organised in Anambra so far,” he said.
Soludo lauded the electoral body’s use of technology, noting that the real-time upload of results on the IReV portal ensured transparency. “As of midnight, over 99 percent of results from polling units were uploaded, and everyone could verify them. That is the future of credible elections in Nigeria,” he added.
The governor extended an olive branch to his opponents, calling for unity in the aftermath of the election. “Sixteen of us were on the ballot, and obviously one person had to win. In the Anambra spirit, we contest fiercely but reconcile quickly. I’m prepared to work with everyone for the good of our state,” he said.
Soludo dedicated his victory to the people, describing it as a renewal of trust. “Four years ago, you elected us with 112,000 votes when BVAS was first introduced. This time, voter participation crossed the 20 percent mark, and you re-elected us with 73 percent of the total votes. I’m humbled by this mandate. We applied for the job; you employed us. Now, let’s get back to work, you haven’t seen anything yet,” he declared.
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement issued from the State House on Sunday, congratulated Soludo on his re-election, calling the result “an affirmation of visionary leadership” and pledging closer cooperation between the federal and state governments. Tinubu also commended INEC, security agencies, and voters for what he described as a peaceful and credible poll.
“Professor Soludo’s re-election is a testament to his visionary leadership and the progress Anambra has made under his guidance. He has shown that academic excellence and sound economic thinking can translate into effective governance,” the President said.
Tinubu recalled his visit to Anambra in May, when he inaugurated key infrastructure projects executed by the Soludo administration. “That experience was remarkable and remains indelible in my mind. Under Soludo, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation,” he wrote.
The President urged the governor to be magnanimous in victory and to build bridges across political divides. “The victory of the All Progressives Grand Alliance again demonstrates the vitality of our democracy and shows that diligent, progressive leadership will always earn the people’s mandate,” Tinubu stated.
He also praised INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan and his team for what observers have described as a credible election. “I urge the commission to sustain this standard and continue improving on its performance,” he added.
Soludo’s landslide win cements APGA’s two-decade dominance in Anambra politics, extending a tradition established by former governors Peter Obi and Willie Obiano. With his new mandate secured, Soludo now faces the task of deepening his reform agenda and accelerating development across the state, as both the federal and state governments signal readiness for closer collaboration in the years ahead.
