Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, received his certificate of return as the winner of the recent governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented the certificate at its headquarters on Tuesday, and Soludo’s deputy, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, also received his certificate at the same event. The presentation was made by Kenneth Ikeagu, the supervising INEC National Commissioner responsible for the Anambra State election. Ikeagu explained that the certificates were issued in accordance with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires INEC to provide a certificate of return to every candidate duly returned by the returning officer within 14 days.
Soludo praised INEC and its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, for the credibility of the electoral process. He expressed delight at the outcome, noting that he secured 73 % of the total votes cast, and commended the security agencies for ensuring that the will of the people was not subverted. The governor also thanked President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to upholding multi‑party democracy and ensuring that citizens’ votes count.
The election, Soludo noted, marked a significant improvement over previous polls, with an unprecedented turnout of almost 600,000 voters, a record‑breaking win in 98 % of all wards and 99 % of all polling units. His victory is seen as a testament to growing confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. Throughout his campaign, Soludo has advocated for free, fair, and transparent elections, and his party’s performance reflects that commitment.
As Soludo begins his term, he is expected to build on the momentum of his victory and deliver on his campaign promises to the people of Anambra State. The presentation of the certificates of return formally concludes the electoral process, and the international community will watch closely as he navigates the challenges and opportunities of leading the state, with his success serving as a bellwether for democratic governance in Nigeria.
Comments are closed for this story.