Victory Songs for Soludo

Governor Soludo returns for second term, assures Anambrarians of better days


On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Nigeria's electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), conducted one of the nation's off cycle elections, the Anambra governorship election. About three weeks to the election, the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu-led administration had appointed a new INEC boss, Prof Joash Amupitan to take over from the then out-going erstwhile chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu who just served out his two terms of ten years. The nomination of Amupitan by the president and the ratification and confirmation by the National Assembly stirred up new debates that threw up expectations of a possible new electoral body that is expected to do new things in terms of transparency and confidence building in the electoral system.

In the November 8 governorship election, the incumbent, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo was running for his second term alongside fourteen other challengers from other parties. It is interesting to note that issues of insecurity have engulfed the entire country, from North East to North West, South East to South West, North Central and indeed all parts of the country with its peculiar patterns. In the South East, the separatist group agitating for Biafra had made the South East a living hell with the pronouncement and enforcement of sit-at-home order especially on Mondays.

Closely followed to this is the get-rich-quick syndrome which manifests in rituals carried out by what the locals call 'okite', yahoo plus, armed robbery, kidnapping and all manner of anti-social behaviour aimed at making quick money and living ostentatious lives. These, no doubt brought decay in the social fabric and gave goose pimples to governance. Chukwuma Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who was gunning for a second term in office confronted the hydra headed cases of insecurity, economic challenges, issues around market activities and the actions of thugs and extortions. His campaign also centred around those issues and how to make them better.

His opponents also latched on the state of insecurity which they alleged have taken its toll on the Onitsha main market, said to be one of the biggest in West Africa as many traders from other countries throng the market on a daily basis, but which they argued, was being shrunk by insecurity. Soludo also aligned himself with the 2027 second term aspiration of President Tinubu whom he described as a fellow progressive and expressed his support. And so it came to be that on the election day, adjudged to be very peaceful, accusations of vote Buying was very rife.

The Amupitan INEC delivered election materials promptly and elections also kicked off promptly as scheduled. Electoral officers, election materials and BVAs all functioned well. Election results were also uploaded to the Irev and. Election monitors and observers, security agencies and journalists were all on the same page on the peaceful conduct of the election.

When the votes were counted, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was declared winner of the Anambra State governorship election, following the announcement of results from all the 21 local government areas (LGAs) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Declaring Soludo winner, State Collation Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edogah Omoregie, on Sunday, 9th November, at the commission’s headquarters in Awka announced that a total of 584,054 votes were collated across the state, with Soludo securing 422,664 votes, maintaining a decisive lead over his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes. Other candidates include ADC: 8,208 votes and PDP: 1,401 votes.

President Bola Tinubu in a personally signed statement congratulated Soludo while crediting his victory to manifestation of his exemplary leadership qualities. The president also lauded the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for credible conduct of the Anambra gubernatorial poll. Tinubu in the statement said the overwhelming victory recorded by Soludo has now made him the third governor in the state's political history to win a second term. "Professor Soludo's re-election is a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance.

"Governor Soludo, the Solution, has demonstrated that indeed knowledge is 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 being 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," the president said. He urged Governor Soludo to be magnanimous in victory and to seek the cooperation of his opponents in the just-concluded elections. Tinubu assured Soludo of unwavering support, and look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government.

He added that "the victory of the opposition All Grand Progressives 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." Commending Prof. Amupitan and INEC, the president said, "I must also thank the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and his team for conducting what observers have described as a credible election, based on the reports I have received thus far. "I charge the commission with maintaining the standards and further improving its performance, so we can continue to strengthen and deepen our electoral system." Also, Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, congratulated Soludo, on his re-election.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, Abiodun said the results clearly showed that the people of Anambra State have great trust in Soludo’s leadership. He urged the governor to use the victory to further deliver the benefits of democracy and unite all political groups in the state for its progress. "The people of Anambra have spoken clearly through their votes, showing confidence in Governor Soludo’s leadership.

“I warmly congratulate my brother and Vice Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Prof. Soludo, and encourage him to keep inspiring his people through impactful policies and projects. By bringing everyone together, he will strengthen democratic gains in the state.” Abiodun also praised Soludo for maintaining a cooperative relationship with the administration of President Bola Tinubu and encouraged him to continue promoting democracy and good governance. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) also congratulated Charles Chukwuma Soludo, on his resounding and historic victory.

A press release by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ejimofor Opara said 73 percent of the total votes cast and victories in 98 percent of the 326 electoral wards across the state, showed that Anambra people have once again delivered a clear, unequivocal, and overwhelming mandate. He said the result affirmed the trust of the people in Governor Soludo’s visionary leadership, his bold reforms, and unwavering commitment to building a liveable and prosperous homeland.

Opara said: “This landslide triumph is not merely an electoral outcome; it is a referendum on performance, a celebration of progressive governance, and a reaffirmation of APGA as the true political identity of Ndi Igbo and the custodian of Anambra’s development aspirations. “We equally recognize the professionalism and vigilance of the security agencies, whose presence and conduct guaranteed a peaceful and orderly exercise across the state. "APGA extends profound appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for ensuring an atmosphere of peace, fairness, and national responsibility throughout the electoral process.

“We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a transparent and credible election that reflects the will of the people.” The party said: “As Governor Soludo embarks on his second term, APGA reiterates its commitment to providing leadership that works for all—building institutions, deepening democracy, expanding economic opportunities, and safeguarding the future of every Anambra son and daughter.

“This victory marks a new chapter. Together, we shall build an Anambra that is liveable, prosperous, globally competitive, and exemplary in governance.” In victory Soludo assures Anambra people of better performance. Speaking after his declaration as the winner of the governorship election on Sunday, securing a second term alongside his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim, the governor stated that the renewed mandate is both a victory and a historic moment for the state. He assured Anambra people that his administration will intensify efforts to deliver development across the state.

"We applied for this job. You employed us four years ago. What I can say, as we stated throughout the campaign, is that you have not seen anything yet. "Like the Americans would say ‘You aren’t seen nothing yet, I want to say, with this trust, in partnership with you, we over the next four years can say loudly that we aren’t seen nothing yet” the governor added.

He recalled that in 2021, his first victory came amid low voter turnout, noting that the latest election saw a significant increase in citizen participation. “Four years ago, you spoke and gave us your mandate. Anambra experimented with BVAS for the first time, and the turnout was extremely low. You elected us with 112,000 votes. "This time, you have spoken loudly. In terms of the percentage of registered voters who participated, about 22 percent voted in this election. Never before. You broke the 20 percent glass ceiling,” he said. In spite of the popular opinion on the conduct of the election however, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nicholas Ukachukwu rejected the declared victory of the APGA candidate.

Ukachukwu who briefed journalists in Awka on Sunday shortly after the results declaration said the election was riddled with intimidation, violence against his supporters, most of whom sustained injuries, lost homes and vehicles. The APC candidate said he will consult with party stakeholders and agents of his party across the state before making a categorical statement on his next move. He said: “We thank members of our team, they are all gallant soldiers, they are all winners in different ways, including those who were intimidated in many ways, their cars burnt, houses burnt, even my deputy who was intimidated into running for her dear life when they threatened her. All these people are winners.

“I called you here to tell you that we are speaking with our agents and collating information about what happened on that day, and we will talk when the time is right. "Some of my agents were abducted by our opponents and kept until after the election, all these things are not worth talking about now. At this point we are still collating information both from our party agents and I have to consult my party to know what next.” Ukachukwu alleged his supporter was abducted and kept until after the election, and money meant for payment of party agents was termed vote buying money.

"They arrested my supporter who was to pay our agents, saying he was carrying money meant for vote buying. Can I buy votes against a sitting governor who has the treasury of the state? The result of the election will show you who bought vote. If I bought vote, it would have reflected on the number of votes that I got. "Go and check, all the people they arrested were APC people. Go and see the young lady whose house was burnt in Anambra East, her only crime is that she believed in our party and canvases for our victory. “But for me to have 99,000 genuine votes is even unprecedented. Those are people who voted because Anambra must go forward. The number of votes I got is even enough to tell them that APC can no longer be ignored in Anambra.

"Those 99,000 people are the people who voted for us, they are part of those I will consult about our next move. Those are people who believe Anambra must be better. Our agents who we couldn’t pay because they kidnapped my supporter, yet they stood their ground and worked for us "Today, they cannot say that APC is not in existence in Anambra because 99,000 is not a small number.” With the elections won and lost, the people of Anambra have high hope that the governor will not only consolidate on his achievements but up the ante both in terms of security and good governance. Whether Governor Chukwuma Soludo will live to this billing or not, only time will tell. Breakdown of Results across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state:
Dunukofia LGA
APC: 3,284 | APGA: 14,892 | LP: 71 | PDP: 16
North LGA
APC: 3,661 | APGA: 15,895 | LP: 299 | PDP: 203
Njikoka LGA
APC: 5,687 | APGA: 22,213 | LP: 311 | PDP: 47
Nnewi South LGA
APC: 9,281 | APGA: 17,286 | LP: 73 | PDP: 12
North LGA
APC: 5,441 | APGA: 20,320 | LP: 1,140 | PDP: 45
Ayamelum LGA
APC: 7,478 | APGA: 13,340 | LP: 117 | PDP: 13
Anambra East LGA
APC: 3,108 | APGA: 14,665 | LP: 304 | PDP: 207
Ogbaru LGA
APC: 3,768 | APGA: 22,803 | LP: 347 | PDP: 30
Oyi LGA
APC: 5,118 | APGA: 18,882 | LP: 3,641 | PDP: 16
Orumba North LGA
APC: 2,615 | APGA: 24,664 | LP: 131 | PDP: 17
Orumba South LGA
APC: 2,828 | APGA: 19,818 | LP: 16 | PDP: 18
Aguata LGA
APC: 4,125 | APGA: 35,559 | LP: 124 | PDP: 82
Onitsha North LGA
APC: 4,677 | APGA: 24,225 | LP: 500 | PDP: 111
Onitsha South LGA
APC: 4,156 | APGA: 15,742 | LP: 615 | PDP: 73
Anaocha LGA
APC: 5,956 | APGA: 20,118 | LP: 483 | PDP: 42
Awka South LGA
APC: 5,038 | APGA: 27,896 | LP: 520 | PDP: 63
Idemili South LGA
APC: 6,015 | APGA: 17,224 | LP: 276 | PDP: 40
Ekwusigo LGA
APC: 2,973 | APGA: 18,749 | LP: 194 | PDP: 70
Idemili North LGA
APC: 6,383 | APGA: 25,498 | LP: 1,275 | PDP: 125
Ihiala LGA
APC: 4,425 | APGA: 23,557 | LP: 135 | PDP: —
Anambra West LGA
APC: 16,595 | APGA: 71,365 | YPP: 2,871 | ADC: 152