Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has said his re-election victory reflects significant improvement in Nigeria’s electoral process, describing the just-concluded poll as peaceful, credible, and a sign of democratic progress.
Soludo, who spoke in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, shortly after being declared winner by the Returning Officer, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, thanked the people of Anambra for renewing his mandate and promised to deliver more in his second term.
“This is a moment to congratulate Anambra people. Four years ago, we were elected with 112,000 votes, but this time you spoke loudly with over 422,000 votes,” Soludo said. “We lost only six out of 326 wards and won all 21 local governments. Every election year is getting better and better in Anambra.”
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring a level playing field and commended the new INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, for conducting what he described as a transparent and technology-driven election.
Soludo secured a landslide victory, winning 320 of the 326 wards with 72 per cent of the total votes cast — 422,662 votes. His closest rival, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, scored 99,445 votes, while Paul Chukwuma of the YPP and George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP) garnered 37,753 and 10,576 votes, respectively.
The governor also expressed appreciation to the people and pledged to intensify development efforts through his One-Youth-Two-Skills Plus empowerment programme, which has commenced in Awka North.
“We are in gear three and now moving to gear four,” he said. “Our partnership with people at all levels in the state will deliver more jobs, infrastructure, and empowerment.”
President Tinubu, in a statement personally signed, hailed Soludo’s re-election as a testament to visionary leadership and the progress achieved under his administration. He urged the governor to be magnanimous in victory and continue collaborating with the Federal Government for the state’s development.
“Governor Soludo, the Solution, has demonstrated that knowledge and discipline can guide governance,” Tinubu stated. “Under him, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation.”
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, also congratulated Soludo, describing his victory as deserved and a reflection of his popularity among Anambra citizens.
“We are confident that this victory will enable him to consolidate on his achievements,” the forum said in a statement.
However, opposition candidates from the APC, LP, and ADC rejected the outcome, alleging vote buying, intimidation, and irregularities.
APC’s Ukachukwu claimed that property belonging to party supporters was destroyed, while ADC candidate John Nwosu described the exercise as “a cash bazaar and a loss for democracy.”
LP candidate Valentine Moghalu decried the alleged omission of his party’s logo from ballot papers and cited reports of violence and missing result sheets.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Queen Agwu, dismissed the allegations as rumours, urging aggrieved parties to present evidence.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the arrest of three suspects for vote buying in Njikoka, Awkuzu, and Dunukofia, adding that investigations were ongoing.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) commended the Police for maintaining order during the polls, describing their conduct as “above average” and “professional.”
Despite the controversies, observers praised the election for its peaceful conduct and improved logistics, with most results uploaded to the INEC portal on election night.
As celebrations continued in parts of Anambra, Soludo reaffirmed his pledge to serve all residents, regardless of political affiliation.
“We’ve fought and competed, but now it’s time to work together to make Anambra better,” he said. “Ours is an assignment with a deadline — and we must deliver.”
