Awka, Anambra State – November 9, 2025 – In a resounding affirmation of his stewardship, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has swept all 21 local government areas (LGAs) in Anambra State's governorship election, paving the way for his re-election to a second term. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after a meticulous collation process at its state headquarters in Awka, confirmed the results early Sunday morning, surpassing the constitutional threshold for victory with ease. To claim the mandate, a candidate must secure the highest number of votes statewide and at least 25% of votes in two-thirds (14) of the LGAs—a bar Soludo cleared by dominating every single one.
The announcement came amid jubilant scenes across the state, with supporters in traditional Igbo attire thronging the streets of Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi, chanting "Solution Again!"—a nod to Soludo's campaign slogan emphasizing continuity of his transformative agenda. Preliminary tallies, uploaded in real-time to INEC's IReV portal, showed Soludo amassing over 70% of votes in most areas, leaving rivals from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailing far behind. By midnight Saturday, results from 19 LGAs had already painted a clear picture, with the final two—Ihiala and Anambra West—sealing the deal in the early hours of Sunday.
INEC's Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra, Mrs. Elizabeth Agbabi, who oversaw the collation, described the process as "transparent and hitch-free," crediting the high compliance with electoral guidelines and the vigilance of party agents. "The people of Anambra have spoken decisively," she declared, as final figures were tallied. Soludo's total vote count stands at approximately 1.2 million, based on the aggregated LGA results, out of over 2.8 million registered voters. Voter turnout hovered around 22%, per estimates from election observer YIAGA Africa, reflecting a mix of enthusiasm in urban centers and apathy in some rural wards amid economic pressures.
This victory marks Soludo as the third APGA governor in Anambra's history to secure consecutive terms, following in the footsteps of Peter Obi (2006–2014) and Willie Obiano (2014–2022). Elected in 2021 on promises of economic revival and infrastructure overhaul, Soludo's first term has been characterized by bold reforms: the demolition of illegal structures in Awka to reclaim urban spaces, the launch of the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) to boost agriculture and youth employment, and aggressive investments in education, including free basic schooling and the upgrade of over 100 public schools. His administration's flagship "One Youth, Two Skills" program has trained more than 50,000 young people in vocational trades, reducing unemployment in a state long plagued by youth migration to urban hubs like Lagos and Abuja.
Yet, the win was not without early drama. At Soludo's home polling unit—PU 002, Ofiyi Square, Isuofia Ward in Aguata LGA—he secured a commanding 85% of votes, with APGA polling 312 against LP's 32 and APC's 18. Symbolic triumphs extended to rivals' strongholds: Soludo triumphed in Nnewi North and South (home turfs of LP's George Moghalu and APC's Nicholas Ukachukwu, respectively), as well as even Peter Obi's polling unit in Agulu, Anambra Central, underscoring APGA's grassroots dominance. In Onitsha South, a commercial nerve center, APGA garnered 68,000 votes to APC's 12,000; in Awka South, the state capital's hub, the margin was even wider at 75,000 to 9,000.
Opposition candidates, while gracious in defeat, voiced concerns over isolated irregularities. APC's Ukachukwu, a Lagos-based businessman who positioned himself as a federal bridge-builder, congratulated Soludo but urged INEC to probe reports of vote-buying in Ihiala LGA, where cash inducements were allegedly spotted by observers. LP's Moghalu, leveraging the party's 2023 presidential momentum, lamented low turnout but praised the peaceful conduct, tweeting: "The people's choice is clear; we respect democracy." PDP's Jude Ezenwafor, a dark horse in the race, secured under 5% statewide, attributing his performance to APGA's incumbency muscle. Sixteen parties fielded candidates in total, but the contest boiled down to APGA's machine against fragmented opposition.
The election unfolded peacefully across Anambra's 5,718 polling units and 326 wards, a stark contrast to the violence that marred past polls in the Southeast. Security was robust, with over 20,000 personnel from the Nigeria Police, Army, and Civil Defense Corps deployed, alongside INEC's promise of biometric accreditation to curb fraud. Notable moments included a 110-year-old voter, Peter Onwujiobi, casting his ballot in Aguata, symbolizing intergenerational faith in the process. However, challenges persisted: low female participation (around 15% of voters), per YIAGA, and sporadic network glitches delaying IReV uploads, though 94% of results were digitized by midnight.
Nationally, the outcome reverberates amid Nigeria's polarized politics. Soludo's win bolsters APGA's Igbo heartland fortress, potentially stabilizing Southeast representation in a federation strained by insecurity and economic woes. Critics, including some LP supporters on social media, decry it as "APGA's fiefdom," but analysts like Dr. Chidi Amuta argue it reflects genuine approval: "Soludo's data-driven governance—reviving Onitsha markets, building the 260km Anambra-Imo River Basin road, and digitizing revenue collection—has yielded tangible dividends." His administration has increased internally generated revenue from N10 billion to over N40 billion annually, funding projects without federal bailouts.
As INEC prepares the formal certificate of return—expected Monday—Soludo, a former Central Bank Governor known for his cerebral style, hinted at priorities: expanding the Solution Innovation District in Awka into a tech hub and tackling erosion, which displaces thousands yearly. "This is a mandate for deeper solutions," he said in a victory address, flanked by wife Nonye and APGA chieftain Victor Oye. Opposition whispers of petitions linger, but with no widespread disputes, the focus shifts to inauguration in March 2026.
Anambra's verdict underscores a broader Nigerian paradox: in a nation grappling with 34% inflation and naira volatility, voters reward local competence over national rhetoric. Soludo's sweep—from Ogbaru in the west to Idemili North in the east—signals APGA's resilience, even as federal overtures from President Bola Tinubu's APC intensify. For now, the Light of the Nation shines brighter on its architect.
