Governor Chukwuma Soludo has been officially declared the winner of the Anambra State governorship election, securing a decisive second term in office following the November 8 poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Soludo's Victory Speech and Acknowledgments
Speaking shortly after INEC announced the results on Sunday, Governor Soludo expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as the president's unwavering commitment to ensuring a free and fair electoral process. The governor specifically praised President Tinubu's democratic principles and his firm stance in allowing the will of Anambra people to prevail without interference.
"With a sense of gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief, I thank President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being a very true democrat," Soludo stated during his victory address. "He has demonstrated very firmly his commitment to guaranteeing a free and fair election."
INEC Receives High Praise for Election Conduct
The Anambra governor also commended INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, for overseeing what he characterized as the most credible and transparent election in Anambra's history since the adoption of digital voting technologies. Soludo expressed particular satisfaction that this marked Professor Amupitan's first major electoral outing as INEC chairman.
"This is your first outing, and I am very excited that your first impression is a very emphatic one. INEC delivered," the governor affirmed, highlighting the electoral body's successful management of the voting process.
Historic Re-election Achievement
Governor Soludo's victory represents a significant milestone in Anambra's political landscape. The governor noted that his re-election marks only the third time since 1999 that an incumbent governor has been returned to office in the state, underscoring the historical importance of this electoral outcome.
The governor secured his second term alongside his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim, with an impressive 73 percent of the total votes cast, representing what Soludo described as an emphatic endorsement of his administration's policies and development vision for Anambra State.
"I just came out to say thank you to all of you and Ndi Anambra. This is a moment to say congratulations to Ndi Anambra. You have spoken," Soludo declared. "Four years ago, you elected us with about 112,000 votes. This time, you spoke loudly. This victory is not just a victory; it is history made."
The election also witnessed notably improved voter participation, with approximately 22 percent of registered voters turning out to cast their ballots—one of the highest levels of electoral engagement recorded in recent Anambra state elections.
Governor Soludo concluded his remarks by emphasizing that "this mandate renews our shared responsibility to keep working for peace, progress, and prosperity in our beloved Anambra," signaling his administration's continued focus on development initiatives throughout his second term.
