The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented certificates of return to Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, and his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, confirming their re-election.
The certificates were handed over on Tuesday in Awka by the Supervising INEC National Commissioner in charge of the Anambra governorship election, Kenneth Ikeagu, two days after the commission declared them winners of the November 8, 2025 poll.
Their certification officially affirms Soludo and Ibezim as the duly re-elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Anambra State.
While presenting the certificates, Ikeagu stated, “We are here to present the certificates of return to the Governor and Deputy Governor of Anambra State, following their successful outing during the state governorship election held on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
“Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate who has been duly returned by the returning officer under the Act.
“In compliance with this statutory provision, I have the honour and privilege, in my capacity as the Supervising National Electoral Commissioner of the Anambra State governorship election, to present the certificates of return to the Governor and the Deputy Governor-elect, who emerged victorious in the just-concluded governorship election.”
Soludo, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, was declared winner of the tightly contested election on Sunday by the Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Omoregie.
He secured a total of 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, who scored 99,445 votes, while Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party came third with 37,753 votes.
INEC disclosed that 16 political parties participated in the election, with 2,788,864 registered voters, of which 598,229 were accredited. A total of 595,298 votes were cast, and 11,244 were rejected across the 21 local government areas.
The APGA candidate recorded a clean sweep, winning in all 21 local government areas of the state.
Governor Soludo and his deputy were accompanied to the INEC headquarters by their wives during the presentation ceremony.
Advertisement
