INEC Declares Governor Soludo Winner Of Anambra Governorship Election Amid Irregularities

The electoral umpire said the election took place in 5,720 polling units, with APGA maintaining a commanding lead in both urban and rural areas, consolidating its political dominance in the South-East state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and incumbent governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.

Soludo, a former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, reportedly defeated 15 other candidates after sweeping all 21 local government areas of the state.

He polled 422,664 votes, far ahead of his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes, according to results announced by the Returning Officer at the INEC headquarters in Awka early Sunday morning.

The electoral umpire said the election took place in 5,720 polling units, with APGA maintaining a commanding lead in both urban and rural areas, consolidating its political dominance in the South-East state.

However, the election was marred by reports of vote-buying, intimidation, and malfunctioning of the BVAS machines, which disrupted voting in several areas. Several political parties, including the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had earlier accused APGA agents of “massive vote-buying” and the use of state resources to influence voters.

Observers from civil society groups also reported logistical delays, security lapses, and incidents of thuggery in parts of Ihiala, Nnewi North, and Onitsha South. One presiding officer was said to have fainted at a polling unit in Njikoka LGA due to crowd pressure and technical frustration.

Despite the controversies, Soludo’s supporters poured into the streets of Awka and Ekwulobia in wild celebration, chanting victory songs and describing his win as “a vote for continuity and stability.”

In his acceptance speech, Governor Soludo thanked Anambra voters for “renewing their faith in the APGA government,” promising to accelerate infrastructural development, youth empowerment, and digital governance in his second term.

“This victory belongs to Ndi Anambra. We shall deepen reforms, complete ongoing projects, and make Anambra a model state for innovation and productivity,” Soludo said shortly after his declaration.

Meanwhile, opposition parties are reportedly consulting their legal teams over alleged electoral irregularities and may challenge the results at the Anambra State Election Petition Tribunal.

INEC officials, however, maintained that the poll was “free, fair, and credible,” insisting that reports of manipulation were “grossly exaggerated.”

With this victory, Soludo secures another four-year mandate to govern Anambra State under the APGA banner, extending the party’s 19-year uninterrupted grip on

the state’s leadership.