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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, winner of the 2025 Anambra State governorship election.
Soludo, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, defeated 15 other contenders after recording a landslide victory across all 21 local government areas of the state. According to the Returning Officer, Soludo secured 422,664 votes, far ahead of Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 99,445 votes.
INEC reported that the election was conducted in 5,720 polling units, with APGA maintaining a strong presence in both urban and rural regions — a showing that reinforced its long-standing political dominance in the South-East state.
However, the election was not without controversy. There were widespread reports of vote-buying, voter intimidation, and technical failures of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which disrupted voting in some polling units. Opposition parties, including the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accused APGA agents of “massive vote inducement” and the misuse of state resources to sway voters.
Election observers from civil society organizations also cited logistical delays, security lapses, and isolated cases of thuggery in areas such as Ihiala, Nnewi North, and Onitsha South. In one incident, a presiding officer reportedly fainted at a polling unit in Njikoka Local Government due to pressure from large crowds and malfunctioning devices.
Despite the irregularities, Soludo’s supporters flooded the streets of Awka and Ekwulobia in jubilation, waving APGA flags and chanting songs of victory. Many described his re-election as “a mandate for continuity and progress.”
In his acceptance speech, Governor Soludo expressed gratitude to the people of Anambra for what he called “a renewed vote of confidence.” He pledged to intensify efforts in infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and digital governance during his second term.
“This victory belongs to Ndi Anambra. We will deepen ongoing reforms, complete key projects, and make Anambra a model of innovation and productivity,”
Soludo said shortly after his declaration.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have indicated plans to challenge the results at the Anambra State Election Petition Tribunal, citing electoral malpractice and procedural irregularities.
INEC, however, defended the process, describing the poll as “free, fair, and credible,” while dismissing allegations of large-scale manipulation as “grossly exaggerated.”
With this outcome, Soludo secures a fresh four-year mandate under the APGA banner, extending the party’s 19-year unbroken leadership streak in Anambra State’s political history.
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