Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting the most organized governorship election in the state’s history. Soludo made this statement during his victory speech in Awka, following his declaration as the winner of the November 8 governorship election.

The election’s outcome was announced by Professor Edoba Omoregie, the Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, at INEC’s headquarters in Awka. According to the results, Soludo, representing the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), secured 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes.

In his address, Soludo expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a “true democrat” committed to ensuring a free and fair election in Anambra. He also praised INEC, particularly its new Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, for delivering a successful election. Soludo noted that the electoral commission’s use of technology has improved the voting process in Anambra since 2017.

The governor appreciated INEC’s ICT department for promoting transparency through the real-time upload of results on the IReV portal. By midnight, over 99% of results from polling units had been uploaded, allowing the public to access them in real-time. Soludo extended an olive branch to his fellow contestants, emphasizing that politics in Anambra should focus on ideas rather than enmity.

Soludo dedicated his victory to the people of Anambra, characterizing it as a historic mandate. He noted that voter participation had surpassed 20% for the first time in the state’s history, with 22% of registered voters casting their ballots. The governor expressed his commitment to working with all stakeholders to deliver more benefits to the state, citing the renewed trust and partnership between his administration and the people.

With his re-election, Soludo has pledged to build on his previous achievements and work towards the greater good of Anambra State. The outcome of the election marks a significant milestone in the state’s political history, demonstrating the effectiveness of INEC’s electoral processes and the commitment of the state’s citizens to democratic participation.