BREAKING: INEC declares Prof. Chukwuma Soludo winner of Anambra Governorship election

Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has been declared the winner of the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The State Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Omoregie Edoba, made the declaration after results from all 21 local government areas were collated at INEC’s headquarters in Awka.

“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,” Professor Edoba announced.

Soludo, representing the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), garnered 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured 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) finished with 10,576 and 1,401 votes, respectively.

Moments after the declaration, jubilation erupted at Soludo’s residence in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, where his supporters celebrated his victory and chanted “Four more years!”

The election, which took place across all 21 local government areas, featured candidates from sixteen political parties, including 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 others.

Soludo, who was first elected governor on November 10, 2021, won in 19 out of 21 LGAs during his first term. His re-election cements APGA’s two-decade dominance in Anambra politics and marks another chapter in his political journey.

The 65-year-old former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor’s campaign focused on consolidating his achievements and deepening development in the state. However, the election was not without challenges, as it was marred by reports of low voter turnout and alleged vote-buying.

Security was tight, with over 45,000 police personnel deployed across the state to ensure peace during the polls. Despite the peaceful conduct, several candidates, including Soludo, expressed concerns over the alleged monetisation of votes.

APC’s Nicholas Ukachukwu condemned the trend, saying, “If there’s no seller, there can’t be a buyer. Some people have chosen to sell their conscience, which is even worse than those who buy votes.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the arrest of three suspects for vote-buying and stated that they would be charged in court. INEC, however, dismissed the claims of widespread malpractice, insisting there was no concrete evidence.

Anambra’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Queen Agwu, said on Channels Television, “Vote-buying is a very serious offence.”

“If anyone has evidence, they should present it. You can’t just go on air and make allegations without facts.”

INEC maintained that the election was transparent, with results uploaded promptly on its Results Viewing Portal (IReV).

Following his victory, Soludo and his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim, are expected to receive their certificates of return in the coming days, officially marking the beginning of their second term in office.

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