Awka — In a display of political dominance in the Southeast, Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been declared the winner of the November 8, 2025 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, securing a second term in office. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced early Sunday that Soludo scored 422,664 votes, comfortably defeating his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 99,445. (ThisDayLive)
The Numbers That Tell the Story
The returning officer, Prof. Edoba B. Omoregie (SAN), confirmed a registered voter base of 2,788,864 for the state. Accredited voters numbered 598,229; ballots cast were 595,298. Of those, 584,054 were valid, while 11,244 were rejected. (Channels TV)
The full breakdown of major contenders:
- Soludo (APGA): 422,664 votes
- Ukachukwu (APC): 99,445
- Paul Chukwuma (YPP): 37,753
- George Moghalu (LP): 10,576
- John Nwosu (ADC): 8,208
Omoregie also noted that about 10,481 votes were affected in areas where skirmishes occurred—but declared that the margin of error did not impact the outcome. (ThisDayLive)
A Clean Sweep?
A striking part of the announcement: Soludo reportedly won in all 21 local government areas of Anambra State, registering at least two‐thirds of the vote in each. (Channels TV)
In the eyes of many, this is not merely victory—it’s a mandate.
What It Means for Anambra & Beyond
Soludo’s re‐election is political capital. APGA, a regional party with strong roots in the state, further cements its dominance. Analysts say this landslide win gives the party—and Soludo personally—greater leverage ahead of forthcoming elections. (BusinessDay)
For Anambra residents, the signal is clear: continuity. Soludo, who previously served as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, came into office on promises of economic reform, infrastructure upgrades and educational revamp. With reelection secured, expectations now shift from promises to execution.
The Election At A Glance
Observers described the poll as largely peaceful and orderly. However, the usual suspects of voter apathy, late starts at some polling units and vote‐buying allegations were noted. (Channels TV)
The EFCC reportedly arrested three suspects on allegations of vote‐buying—though INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra, Queen Agwu, dismissed claims of widespread malpractice, stressing that concrete evidence must be provided. (Channels TV)
Reaction From The Winner & The Field
Soon after the announcement, Soludo’s supporters broke into celebration at his residence in Isuofia community, Aguata LGA. The message from the governor’s camp is reaffirmation: “four more years of service”. (Channels TV)
Meanwhile, Ukachukwu and other challengers voiced disappointment, pointing to structural disadvantages and alleged financial inducements in precincts. “If there’s no seller, there cannot be a buyer,” Ukachukwu stated, calling the electorate into question. (Channels TV)
What To Watch
- Implementation of Key Projects: With his return, Soludo is under pressure to deliver tangible results—especially in infrastructure, security and education.
- APGA’s Trajectory: Will this victory serve as a springboard for the party beyond state borders?
- Opposition Strategy: With such a wide margin, APC and others must recalibrate. How will they bounce back?
- Election Integrity: Although largely peaceful, the vote‐buying allegations and skirmishes threaten to tarnish the legitimacy of the exercise—expect follow-up investigations.
In all, Anambra State has spoken—strongly. The rest of Nigeria will watch whether words translate into measurable gains. The stakes have just been raised.