Anambra Election: INEC Confirms Soludo’s Re-Election, Issues Certificate of Return

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally confirmed the re-election of Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, and his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, by issuing them certificates of return.

The certificates were presented in Awka on Tuesday by Kenneth Ikeagu, the INEC Supervising National Commissioner for Anambra State, two days after the pair were declared winners of the November 8 governorship election.

Speaking during the presentation, Ikeagu said the commission acted in full compliance with the law.

“Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates INEC to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate duly returned by the returning officer,” he stated.

“In compliance with this provision, it is my honour to present the certificates of return to the Governor and Deputy Governor-elect, who emerged victorious in the election.”

Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), secured a sweeping victory, defeating his closest rival, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes.

Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) came third with 37,753 votes.

Returning Officer, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, confirmed that Soludo received 422,664 votes, winning all 21 local government areas of the state.

INEC disclosed that 16 candidates contested the election. Out of the 2,788,864 registered voters, 598,229 were accredited.

A total of 595,298 votes were cast, while 11,244 ballots were rejected.

During the ceremony at INEC’s headquarters in Awka, Soludo and Ibezim were accompanied by their wives, party officials and supporters, marking the formal beginning of their second term in office.

The re-elected governor is expected to be sworn in for another four-year tenure in March 2026.