….Integrity Stands Higher Than Political Deception- AAC Candidate
…. it’s cash-and-carry democracy – ADC
….My victory, an emphatic statement, Anambra spoke loudly – Soludo
…..Tinubu congratulates Soludo, says his re-election affirms visionary leadership
Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) recorded a decisive victory in the just concluded Anambra State governorship election, winning in all 21 local government areas.
He secured a total of 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 99,445 votes. Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) came third with 37,753 votes.
Analysts point to several reasons behind Soludo’s landslide victory. First, Anambra has long been considered an APGA stronghold, with widespread grassroots support across the state’s three senatorial zones. No other party, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had produced two governors between 1999 and 2006, enjoys the same level of traction.
Secondly, like his predecessor Peter Obi, Soludo prioritised rural development, earning the trust and confidence of the state’s rural communities. His campaign against notorious native doctors, who had converted local forests into centres of superstition, further strengthened his support.
“Most of those native doctors were turning rivers and ponds in the villages into objects of worship. Soludo came as a messiah by destroying what could have been a disaster for the people,” said Paul Onuha, an Amawbia-based community development expert.
“Soludo is also big in rural development. Like Ngige and Obi, he has been rehabilitating rural roads and providing security in places that were once war zones.”
The next factor that worked in Soludo’s favour, analysts say, is the rotational arrangement in the state. By tradition, Anambra rotates governorship position around three zones – North, South and Central.
While late Governor Chinweoke Mbadinuju was from Anambra South (Uli), Chris Ngige, his successor, emerged from Anambra Central (Alor). Peter Obi, on his part, emerged from Anambra Central (Agulu), with Willie Obiano coming from Anambra North (Aguleri).
Soludo is from Isuofia (Anambra South) and will likely hand over to someone from Anambra Central.
Hence, despite that there were several Anambra South candidates in the just concluded election, the three regions cannot afford to elect a fresh governor from Anambra South. This will disrupt the rotational arrangement in the state as the new governor would seek a second tenure, thereby disrupting the turn of another zone.
The incumbency factor also gave Soludo an advantage, allowing him to consolidate support through strategic engagements with key stakeholders.
“If I were from Anambra, for instance, I would support Soludo. After all, he can offer me the position of commissioner or something else, but what can other candidates offer? A bird in the hand is better than five in the bush,” said Tochukwu Arinze, an Enugu State-based political scientist.
Many analysts have dismissed rigging or violence as factors in the election, saying it was largely free and fair despite some skirmishes.
Expectations
Observers say citizens of Anambra now expect tangible results from Soludo’s administration, including new infrastructure projects, improvements to existing facilities, enhanced security, and a more business-friendly environment, particularly the reduction of multiple taxation.
Discouraging signals
The state registered 2.8 million voters but only 595,298 voted in the election, putting the voter turnout at 21.3 percent, though higher than 10.27 percent in 2021 and 20.1 percent in 2017.
Analysts attribute the low turnout to voter apathy, fuelled by years of perceived underperformance by state governments.
The Labour Party (LP), which generated significant excitement in the 2023 elections, could only secure slightly over 10,000 votes in the state where Peter Obi hails from.
Political watchers expect the new leadership at INEC to draw lessons from the Anambra election ahead of the 2027 general elections to strengthen electoral processes nationwide.
‘Integrity Stands Higher Than Political Deception,’ AAC Candidate Reacts To Anambra Poll Results
The candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2025 Anambra State governorship election, Ms. Chioma Ifemeludike, has reacted to the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ifemeludike said political deception could not supersede integrity.
“Integrity stands firm and higher than political deception. I am a winner,” she said in a post shared on her X handle on Sunday.
Alleged Vote Buying
The AAC candidate had earlier raised the alarm about vote-buying in the election last Saturday,
But the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra State, Queen Agwu, dismissed claims of vote-buying during Saturday’s governorship election.
The REC advised anyone making such claims to present credible evidence.
“When the two strongest candidates went to vote, they mentioned vote-buying. But like I said during voter education, anyone with such information should provide facts and figures,” Agwu said during an interview on Channels Television’s flagship programme, News at 10, on Saturday.
“Vote-buying is a very serious offence and a legislative matter. If you want to accuse someone, give us evidence.
“You can’t just go on television and say there’s vote-buying everywhere without mentioning one place,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested three suspected vote buyers in different parts of the State during the elections.
According to the EFCC, the suspects would be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.
It’s cash-and-carry democracy -ADC
Also in its reactions, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized the conduct of the 2025 Anambra governorship election, describing it as a cash-drenched spectacle that mocked democracy.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the ruling party and the incumbent governor of engaging in massive vote buying.
It also faulted security agencies and election officials for allegedly turning a blind eye.
According to the statement, “What unfolded in Anambra was, regrettably, a cash-drenched spectacle that was more of a bazaar than an election. This undermines the very essence of democracy.”
The ADC said the election was highly monetized, claiming that bundles of Naira notes changed hands in full view at polling units across the state.
The party also expressed concern over the silence and visible inaction of institutions meant to protect the integrity of the polls.
It warned that if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts the 2027 general elections in a similar manner, Nigerians should be worried about the future of democracy.
“Security operatives stood by as voters were harassed and compromised, while electoral officials failed to uphold basic standards,” the statement added.
The ADC said it remains committed to promoting leadership built on integrity, inclusion, and service, not the crude exchange of cash for votes.
My victory an emphatic statement — Anambra spoke loudly
Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, says the electorate spoke loudly during the gubernatorial election of November 8.
He added that the poll was “history made” and “a shattering of another glass ceiling”.
Speaking after he was returned elected, Soludo said the exercise was a demonstration of the people’s will in a competitive political environment.
“We are in a true multi-party democracy. Democracy lets votes count. We spoke loudly here in Anambra,” he said.
Reflecting on voter turnout, Soludo said about 22 percent of registered voters participated, breaking previous records and signalling increased political engagement in the state.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his role in “guaranteeing free, fair, and transparent elections”, describing the nation’s leader as a “very true democrat”.
Soludo also commended INEC and its chairman Joash Amupitan for their “effective management” of the electoral process.
“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 added.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to working with all stakeholders — including religious, traditional, and community leaders, as well as businesspeople — to deliver on the mandate handed him for another four years.
“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,” he said.
“Like the Americans would say, ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’.
“You are very emphatic by re-electing a governor, yours sincerely and my deputy Onyeka Ibezim with 73 percent of votes cast. We’re really humbled.
“I want to say it again and again loudly with this trust, in partnership with all our stakeholders, in partnership with you Ndi Anambra.”
Tinubu congratulates Soludo, says his re-election affirms visionary leadership
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on his re-election as Governor of Anambra State, describing the outcome as a resounding endorsement of his leadership and achievements over the past four years.
In a statement issued on Sunday, President Tinubu said Soludo’s overwhelming victory at Saturday’s poll makes him only the third governor in Anambra’s political history to secure a second term in office.
“I congratulate Professor Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election as the governor of Anambra State. The overwhelming victory he recorded in Saturday’s poll has now made him the third governor in the state’s political history to win a second term,” the President said.
Tinubu also commended the people of Anambra State, security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as the peaceful and successful conduct of the election.
According to the President, Soludo’s re-election is “a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance.”
He praised the Anambra governor—popularly known as “Mr. Solution”—for bringing intellectual depth, discipline, accountability, and prudent resource management into governance.
“Governor Soludo has demonstrated that knowledge is power and that academic principles can be applied in serving the people. Under him, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation,” Tinubu stated.
Reflecting on his visit to Anambra in May, during which he inaugurated several projects executed by the Soludo administration, President Tinubu described the experience as “remarkable and indelible,” adding that the initiatives reflected “good thinking and purposeful leadership.”
The President urged Soludo to be magnanimous in victory and extend a hand of cooperation to his opponents in the just-concluded election.
“I assure Governor Soludo of my unwavering support, and I look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government,” he said.
Tinubu also noted that the victory of the opposition All Grand Progressives Alliance (AGPA) in the election underscores the vitality of Nigeria’s democracy and the principle that “victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied.”
The President further commended the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and his team for what observers have described as a credible election. He urged the commission to maintain and improve on its standards to further deepen Nigeria’s electoral system.
