AWKA, Nigeria — Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has described his re-election as a historic moment for democracy, saying voters in the state “spoke loudly” in a free and competitive poll.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, November 9, 2025, declared Soludo the winner of the Saturday, November 8, 2025, governorship election with 422,664 votes, ahead of 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, while George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP) finished fourth with 10,576 votes.
In his victory speech delivered in Awka, Soludo said the outcome of the election represented a resounding affirmation of the people’s will and a milestone for Nigeria’s democratic progress.
“We are in a true multi-party democracy. Democracy lets votes count. We spoke loudly here in Anambra,” Soludo said.
“The election was history made — a shattering of another glass ceiling.”
The governor noted that voter turnout, which reached about 22 percent of registered voters, marked an improvement on previous elections in the state.
He said the figure reflected a growing sense of civic responsibility among the electorate.
Soludo also praised President Bola Tinubu for ensuring that the poll was free, fair, and transparent.
“I must thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for guaranteeing free, fair, and transparent elections. He has proven to be a very true democrat,” he said.
The governor commended the electoral commission and its chairman, Joash Amupitan, for what he described as a well-organised exercise.
“This is your very first outing as INEC chairman. As the saying goes, you don’t have a second chance to create a first impression, and I am very excited that your first impression is very emphatic,” he said.
Soludo, who was first elected in 2021 under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said his renewed mandate was both humbling and energising.
He pledged to deepen partnerships with community, traditional, and religious leaders, as well as the private sector, to accelerate development across Anambra State.
“We applied for this job. You employed us four years ago. What I can say, as we stated throughout the campaign, is that you have not seen anything yet,” Soludo told supporters.
“Like the Americans would say, ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’.”
He expressed gratitude to the people for renewing his mandate with what he said was 73 percent of the votes cast, calling it a clear vote of confidence in his administration.
“You have been emphatic in re-electing me and my deputy, Onyeka Ibezim. We are truly humbled,” he said.
“With this renewed trust, in partnership with all stakeholders, we will continue to deliver a prosperous, secure, and united Anambra.”
