Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election as Governor of Anambra State, praising his leadership style.
Soludo was returned for a second term in office after recording a landslide victory, winning all 21 local government areas in the election, according to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday.
The massive victory makes the professor the third governor in Anambra’s political history to win a second term.
In a statement personally signed by him, President Tinubu described Soludo’s re-election as a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress recorded under his administration.
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“Governor Soludo, the Solution, has demonstrated that knowledge is indeed power and that academic principles can be applied in serving the people, undergirding accountability, transparency, and prudent management of people and resources.
“I visited Anambra State in May this year, where I inaugurated some projects executed by the Soludo administration. I highlighted the good thinking behind the landmark projects embarked upon by Mr Solution. That experience is indeed remarkable and will remain indelible in my mind.
“I commend Governor Soludo for bringing discipline, grace, brilliance, and a fresh perspective to governance in Anambra. Under him, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation.
“I urge Governor Soludo to be magnanimous in victory and to seek the cooperation of his opponents in the just-concluded election.
“I assure Governor Soludo of my unwavering support, and I look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government.
“The victory of the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance in the election again demonstrates the vitality of our political system and the fact that victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied,” the President said.
President Tinubu also commended the new INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, and his team for conducting what he described as a credible election, based on reports received so far.
He charged the commission to maintain high standards and continue to improve its performance “so we can strengthen and deepen our electoral system.”
The State Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Omoregie Edoba, who announced the result, declared Soludo the winner after the collation of results from the local government areas.
“I hereby declare that Soludo Chukwuma Charles of the APGA, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” he said at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Awka, the state capital.
Soludo seeks fellowship with opponents
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents following his reelection victory, pledging inclusive governance for the progress of the state.
Addressing journalists at his country home in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, on Sunday, the Governor described his victory as a resounding endorsement of his administration’s vision and performance over the past four years.
“This is a moment to say congratulations to the good people of Anambra,” Soludo said.
He said, “Four years ago, we were elected with 112,000 votes, but this time, you spoke even louder, giving us 73 percent of the total votes cast. Out of 326 wards, we lost only six and won all 21 local government areas. This is a clear and emphatic statement of confidence.”
The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu for what he called a demonstration of true democratic leadership in allowing the will of the people to prevail.
He also praised the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what he described as a credible and transparent election.
Governor Soludo said; “I thank Mr. President; he has proven to be a genuine democrat.
“I also commend the new INEC chairman. This was his first major outing, and as they say, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. The process was largely free, fair, and credible, and I must acknowledge the INEC ICT team — by last night, about 99 percent of the results had been uploaded.”
He noted that Anambra’s electoral process had continued to improve with each cycle, expressing optimism about the state’s democratic future.
Extending a conciliatory hand to his 15 co-contestants, Soludo urged them to join him in building a prosperous Anambra.
He said; “We were 16 in the race, and obviously only one person will emerge winner,”he said. “We have had fun, we have competed, but in the end, we are brothers and sisters. We will still meet at social gatherings, share drinks, and celebrate the Anambra spirit together. I invite all of you to work with me for the betterment of our dear state.”
However, the celebration was marred by tragedy, as Governor Soludo confirmed the killing of a councillor from Owerre Ezukala community, who was shot dead shortly after casting his vote.
“It is heartbreaking,” the Governor lamented.
Governor Soludo promised that his administration would continue to prioritise security and development, to accelerate ongoing reforms as he “moves from gear three to gear four” in his next term.
He said; “Every minute counts. This is an assignment with a deadline, and we remain committed to delivering on our promises to the Anambra people.”
How Soludo won
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday, declared Governor Chukwuma Soludo the winner of the November 8 Anambra Governorship Election, confirming his re-election for a second term in office until 2030.
According to the results announced by INEC in the early hours of Sunday, Soludo won by a landslide in the 21 local government areas of the South-East state.
The State Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Omoregie Edoba, declared Soludo as the winner of the exercise after the collation of results from the local government areas of the state where the election was held.
“I hereby declare that Soludo Charles Chukwuma of the APGA, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Edoba, a professor, told a gathering at the state headquarters of INEC in Awka, the state capital, where the election results were collated.
Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), secured 422,664 votes to trounce his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 99,445 votes.
Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) came third with 37,753 votes, while John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 8,208 votes.
George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP) and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 10,576 votes and 1,401 votes, respectively.
The electoral umpire said that out of a total number of 2,788,864 registered voters, 598,229 were accredited for the election.
It also said that of the total number of 595,298 votes cast in the election, 584,054 were valid while 11,244 were rejected.
Shortly after the results were announced, there was jubilation at the residence of the governor in Isoufia community, Aguata LGA.
‘Four More Years’
The results have given Soludo a fresh four-year term at the Light House.
Sixteen parties and their candidates contested for Anambra’s top job.
Apart from Soludo and Ukachukwu, others are Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Also cleared by INEC are George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP), Echezona Oti of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Ms. Chioma Ifemeludike of the African Action Congress (AAC), Jeff Nweke of Action Alliance (AA), Charles Onyeze of Accord Party (AP), Geoff Onyejegbu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Others are Chukwudubem Nweke of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Jerry Okeke of the Boot Party (BP), Ndidi Olieh of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Martin Ugwoji of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Vincent Chukwurah of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Soludo was first elected as governor on November 10, 2021, sweeping to victory in 19 of the 21 LGAs.
Victory for the 65-year-old former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) signalled the end of the months-long electioneering dominated by debates over the state of affairs in Anambra.
His opponents and critics accused him of failing to address insecurity and economic challenges plaguing Anambra residents.
But the governor promised to consolidate on his achievements in the first four years if re-elected, banking on APGA’s 19-year grip on power in the state.
Ahead of the election, the police had deployed 45,000 personnel to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
Though largely peaceful, the election was marred by claims of vote-buying and voter apathy.
Several candidates, including Soludo, raised concerns over the monetisation of the election.
EFCC Arrests
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested three suspects for vote-buying and said it would charge them in court.
INEC, however, dismissed the claims, insisting there was no evidence to back the allegations.
“When the two strongest candidates went to vote, they mentioned vote-buying. But like I said during voter education, anyone with such information should provide facts and figures,” INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Queen Agwu, said on Channels Television’s News at 10 p.m. on Saturday.
“Vote-buying is a very serious offence and a legislative matter. If you want to accuse someone, give us evidence. You can’t just go on television and say there’s vote-buying everywhere without mentioning one place,” Agwu said.
The commission restated its commitment to transparency and uploaded the results on its results viewing portal (IReV).
With Soludo’s victory, he and his running mate, Onyeka Ibezim, are expected to receive their certificates of return from INEC in the coming days.
They ran on the same ticket in the 2021 governorship election.
