INEC Acknowledges Operational Challenges in Anambra Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission has openly admitted that results from certain polling units across six local government areas in Anambra State were not properly recorded due to operational difficulties during Saturday's governorship election. The affected regions include Anambra West, Idemili North, Idemili South, Awka South, Ihiala, and Ekwusigo local government areas.
While announcing the final results in Awka on November 9, 2025, the Returning Officer for the election, Professor Edoba Omoregie (SAN), clarified that despite these technical challenges in parts of these areas, the overall election outcome remained unaffected and did not require a rerun.
Legal Framework Supports Election Outcome
Professor Omoregie elaborated that both the Electoral Act and INEC Guidelines provide clear procedures for determining a winner after results collation, particularly when the margin of lead between the top two candidates exceeds the number of registered voters in polling units where elections were either cancelled or proved inconclusive.
He specifically noted that the vote difference between Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and his closest competitor, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was significantly greater than the total number of registered voters in the affected polling units.
The margin separating the APGA candidate from the APC candidate was insufficient to halt the declaration of election results or necessitate a run-off based on the problematic polling units across the six local government areas.
Professor Omoregie further emphasized that Professor Soludo met all constitutional and regulatory requirements for declaration, having secured not less than 25 percent of votes in at least two-thirds of the state's 21 local government areas.
He conclusively declared: "As the Returning Officer for this election, I hereby declare that Soludo Charles Chukwuma of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of valid votes, is hereby returned elected as Governor of Anambra State."
EFCC Arrests Three for Vote Buying
In related election developments, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission confirmed the arrest of three individuals for allegedly engaging in vote buying during the Anambra State governorship election.
The anti-graft agency revealed through social media posts that the suspects comprised two males and one female, all apprehended from various locations across the state.
The Commission identified the detained individuals as:
- Emeka Ilokasia arrested at Ward 2, Njikoka Local Government, Anambra
- Nwachukwu Loretta, arrested at Ward 2(008), Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government
- Emeka Chuwudi, arrested at Umunachi village, Dukonukofia Local Government
According to the EFCC statement: "All the suspects were arrested while participating in the governorship election held on Saturday, November 8, 2025. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded."
This development comes amid widespread allegations of vote buying from various candidates who participated in the election, including Governor Soludo, Ukachukwu, George Muoghalu, and the 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Polling Unit Records Single Voter Turnout
In a remarkable election day occurrence, Polling Unit 005 at Ochuche-Umuodu in Ogbaru Local Government Area witnessed the lowest voter turnout during Saturday's election.
The polling unit, which had 231 registered voters for the governorship election, recorded only one individual casting their vote throughout the entire election day.
Despite the minimal participation, election authorities deployed three INEC officials, including two polling officers, along with security personnel to manage the unit. Significant resources were allocated to transport the officials, pay their allowances, and provide necessary election materials.
The solitary voter cast their ballot in favor of the APGA, while other political parties received zero votes at that particular polling unit.
An official who spoke anonymously expressed concern about the resource allocation, stating: "We wasted the day for the sake of one vote. We have been here since morning and the only voter walked in around noon to cast his vote. Now we have closed in accordance with the regulations. So no other voter came to vote. We have recorded the sole vote in favour of the APGA where he voted."
