In a resounding display of electoral dominance, incumbent Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been re-elected for a second term in Anambra State, sweeping victories across all 21 local government areas. The election, held on November 8, 2025, culminated in an official declaration on November 9 by the State Returning Officer, Professor Edoma Omoregie, Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation center in Awka. Soludo garnered an impressive 422,664 votes, far outpacing his closest rivals and securing approximately 73 percent of the total valid votes cast.
The vote tally painted a clear picture of Soludo's popularity. Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) trailed in second place with 99,445 votes, while Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) managed 37,753 votes. George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP) received 10,576 votes, and John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) polled 8,208 votes. Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured a mere 1,401 votes, with Chioma Ifemeludike of the African Action Congress (AAC) rounding out the field with 292 votes. In total, 598,229 voters were accredited out of over 2.8 million registered, resulting in 595,298 votes cast and 584,054 valid votes—a turnout of roughly 22 percent, which Soludo later hailed as a record for the state.
Despite the numerical decisiveness of Soludo's win, the election has sparked intense controversy, with opposition parties uniformly rejecting the results and leveling serious accusations against the process. The atmosphere in Anambra remains charged, as claims of vote buying, intimidation, underage voting, and logistical failures dominate discourse, potentially setting the stage for legal battles.
John Nwosu of the ADC was among the most vocal critics, branding the election a "ruse and total subversion of the people’s will." He alleged rampant vote buying at polling units statewide, where voters were reportedly induced with cash sums ranging from three thousand to twenty thousand naira. "This turned the democratic exercise into a marketplace transaction rather than a genuine expression of the electorate's choice," Nwosu declared. He described the outcome as a "national embarrassment" and an "assault on the integrity of our democracy," insisting that Soludo's victory was "bought with cash" and represented a profound loss for democratic principles.
Echoing these sentiments, Labour Party's George Moghalu dismissed the poll as a "sham," pointing to multiple irregularities that undermined its credibility. He highlighted instances of underage voting, claiming that "children who were not supposed to carry voter cards were openly seen with them and allowed to vote." Additionally, Moghalu noted missing party logos on some ballot papers, which he said confused voters and disadvantaged smaller parties. The LP candidate revealed that his party was still compiling reports from agents deployed across the state before deciding on formal actions, which could include petitions to electoral tribunals.
Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC also outright rejected the results, alleging a campaign of intimidation, violence, and abduction targeted at his supporters. He claimed that party agents responsible for distributing legitimate campaign funds were detained by unknown individuals—presumably opponents—who mischaracterized the money as vote-buying inducements. "Some of my agents were abducted and held until after the election," Ukachukwu stated, emphasizing that the 99,000 votes his party received were authentic reflections of grassroots support in Anambra. Like his counterparts, he indicated that the APC was collating agent reports and consulting stakeholders to chart the next steps, hinting at possible court challenges.
Even candidates with minimal vote shares emphasized moral victories amid the turmoil. Chioma Ifemeludike of the AAC, despite her 292 votes, proclaimed herself a "winner" for maintaining integrity throughout her unconventional campaign. "Integrity stands firm and higher than political deception," she asserted, praising clean politics and principled participation in a landscape overshadowed by larger, resource-heavy parties. Her stance underscored a broader call for ethical reforms in Nigerian elections.
The election was marred by operational hiccups that fueled opposition grievances. Delays plagued several polling units due to late arrivals of INEC ad hoc staff and security personnel. Malfunctions in the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices further exacerbated frustrations, potentially disenfranchising voters. These issues, combined with the low turnout, raised questions about INEC's preparedness, even as Professor Omoregie proceeded with the declaration: "I hereby declare that Soludo Chukwuma Charles of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby returned elected."
In response to his victory, Governor Soludo struck an optimistic and forward-looking tone, promising accelerated transformation in his second term. Addressing supporters after INEC's announcement, he framed the win as a "clear affirmation of the people’s trust" in his leadership. "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 quipped, borrowing the American idiom to signal ambitious plans ahead. He highlighted the landslide—won alongside Deputy Governor Onyeka Ibezim—as evidence of widespread confidence in his vision, noting the historic shattering of "another glass ceiling" through increased political engagement.
Soludo extended thanks to President Bola Tinubu for facilitating a "free, fair, and transparent election" and praised INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan for effective management in his debut outing. Pledging inclusive governance, the governor vowed to collaborate with religious leaders, traditional rulers, community figures, and business stakeholders to deliver on his mandate. "This is your very emphatic vote of confidence," he told Anambrarians, committing to initiatives that would elevate the state as the "Light of the Nation."
Congratulations poured in from across Nigeria's political spectrum, underscoring Soludo's cross-party appeal. APGA, in a statement by publicity secretary Ejimofor Opara, hailed the victory as "historic and resounding," pointing out Soludo's dominance in 98 percent of the state's 326 electoral wards. The party expressed condolences for the killing of member Francis Ibe during the process and demanded justice.
Federal Minister Festus Keyamo congratulated Soludo on X, while commiserating with losers like APC's Ukachukwu: "We win some, we lose some." He commended the election's peaceful conduct. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, chair of the Southern Governors Forum, urged Soludo to unite political factions and deliver "life-changing policies." Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru viewed the re-election as endorsement of Soludo's first-term performance, advocating deeper inter-state collaboration for regional growth.
Observers acknowledge Soludo's mandate is numerically unassailable, yet the opposition's unified front and detailed allegations cast a long shadow over the process's legitimacy. With potential lawsuits looming, Anambra's political landscape braces for further scrutiny, balancing celebration of democratic participation against calls for accountability in Nigeria's electoral system. As the dust settles, Soludo's administration faces the dual challenge of implementing promises while addressing these contentious claims to foster lasting unity.
