Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has received his certificate of return as the winner of the recent governorship election in the state. The certificate was presented to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at its headquarters on Tuesday. Soludo’s deputy, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, also received his certificate at the event.
The presentation was made by Kenneth Ikeagu, the Supervising INEC National Commissioner in charge of the Anambra State election. Ikeagu stated that the certificates were issued in accordance with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates INEC to issue a certificate of return to every candidate who has been duly returned by the returning officer within 14 days.
Soludo commended INEC and its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, for the credibility of the electoral process. He expressed his delight at the outcome of the election, which saw him win 73% of the total votes cast, and praised the security agencies for their role in ensuring the will of the people was not subverted.
The governor also thanked President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to upholding the principles of multi-party democracy and ensuring that the votes of the people count. Soludo noted that the election was a significant improvement on previous ones, with an unprecedented turnout of almost 600,000 people and a record-breaking win in 98% of all wards and 99% of all polling units.
Soludo’s victory has been seen as a testament to the growing confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. The governor has consistently advocated for free, fair, and transparent elections, and his party’s performance in the recent election is a reflection of this commitment. As Soludo begins his term as governor, he will be expected to build on the momentum of his election victory and work towards delivering on his campaign promises to the people of Anambra State.
The presentation of the certificates of return marks the formal completion of the electoral process, and Soludo is now set to begin his term as governor. The international community will be watching with interest as he navigates the challenges and opportunities of leading Anambra State, and his success will be seen as a bellwether for the prospects of democratic governance in Nigeria.