The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially presented certificates of return to Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, following their decisive win in last Saturday’s governorship election.
The presentation took place at INEC’s state headquarters in Awka, with Kenneth Ikeagu, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of the Anambra election, presiding over the event.
Ikeagu noted that the commission’s action was in line with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires INEC to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate duly declared the winner by the returning officer.
“In compliance with this provision, I have the honour to present the certificates to the Governor and Deputy Governor-elect,” he said.
Governor Soludo, accompanied by his deputy, their spouses, aides, and supporters, expressed appreciation to INEC and security agencies for conducting a credible and transparent election.
“I congratulate INEC and its new chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan. We are delighted that his first assignment was in Anambra, and it turned out to be a great success. The security agencies also did an excellent job ensuring that the will of the people prevailed,” Soludo stated.
The governor lauded the impressive voter turnout and the scale of his victory, describing it as a historic moment for the state.
“Almost 600,000 people participated in this election. For the first time in Anambra’s history, a candidate secured 73% of the total votes, winning 98% of all wards and 99% of all polling units. In several local governments, we did not lose a single polling unit,” he said.
Soludo, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), garnered 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 99,445 votes. The Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Sir Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes. In total, 16 candidates participated in the election.
In his closing remarks, the governor commended the electorate for their resilience and peaceful conduct, urging his fellow contestants to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship.
“To my fellow candidates, I say we are brothers in Anambra politics. In 2010, I congratulated the winner even though I scored only 30%. Democracy flourishes when we respect the will of the people,” he said.
