Governor Chukwuma Soludo has been returned to office in a landslide victory in the Anambra governorship election, an event he immediately hailed as the best-conducted poll in the state’s history.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Professor Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the winner on Sunday morning in Awka. The Returning Officer, Professor Edoba Omoregie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, announced that Soludo secured a sweeping mandate of 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes.
In a significant show of dominance, Governor Soludo won all 21 local government areas of the state.
During his victory speech, the Governor reserved high praise for the electoral body. “This is the best election INEC has organised in Anambra so far,” Mr Soludo stated, commending the commission for a job well done.
He expressed particular appreciation for President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a “true democrat” who demonstrated a firm commitment to ensuring a free and fair election in Anambra.
“The people have spoken, and their votes counted,” Soludo said. “I thank INEC, especially the new Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan. I’m excited that your first impression was an emphatic one, as INEC delivered.”
Reflecting on the technological improvements, he noted, “Since 2017, when INEC started experimenting with technology, every election in Anambra has been getting better and better.”
He specifically highlighted the efficiency of INEC’s ICT department, which ensured transparency through the real-time upload of results. “As at midnight, over 99 per cent of results from polling units were uploaded on the IReV portal and everybody could download the results in real-time,” he said.
The governor also extended an olive branch to his fellow contestants, emphasising that politics in Anambra should be a contest of ideas, not enmity.
“Sixteen of us were on the ballot, and obviously, one person will win. In the Anambra way, we fight like there will be no tomorrow, but afterwards, we meet and celebrate,” Soludo said. “I extend a hand of fellowship to all of you, as I’m prepared to work with everyone for the greater good of our dear state.”
Dedicating his victory to the people of Anambra, he described it as a historic mandate, noting the significant increase in voter participation compared to his first election.
“This victory is for the people of Anambra. Four years ago, when BVAS was first used, we had a low voter turnout, and you elected us with 112,000 votes,” he recalled. “This time, you spoke loudly. For the first time in our history, voter participation broke the 20 per cent ceiling as 22 per cent of registered voters came out, and you re-elected us with 73 per cent of total votes.”
He concluded with a promise of more development, stating, “I’m humbled by this show of solidarity. We applied for the job, you employed us, and with this renewed trust and partnership, we will move into high gear to deliver more for the good of Anambra. Now that the people have spoken, let’s get to work, you ain’t seen anything yet.”
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