Professor Chukwuma Soludo has secured a decisive re-election victory in the Anambra State gubernatorial poll held on November 8, 2025, marking his return for a second term in office. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared Soludo, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as the winner. He amassed an overwhelming 422,664 votes, triumphing over 15 other contenders, including his closest rival Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes. Other significant challengers included Mr. Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) with 37,753 votes, Dr. George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP) with 10,576 votes, and John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with 8,208 votes.

According to the state collation officer, Professor Edoba B. Omoregie, SAN, the total registered voters in Anambra State were 2,788,864, with 598,229 accredited voters. The election saw 584,054 valid votes, 11,244 rejected votes, and a total of 595,298 votes cast. Soludo not only satisfied the legal requirements by scoring the highest number of votes but also secured the mandatory two-thirds in all 21 local government areas, achieving a clean sweep that has only been witnessed once before in Anambra’s history, by former governor Willie Obiano in 2017.

Following his victory, President Bola Tinubu extended his congratulations to Governor Soludo in a personally signed letter, commending his re-election as a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress under his guidance. The President lauded Soludo for bringing discipline, grace, and a fresh perspective to governance, applying academic principles to ensure accountability, transparency, and prudent management. President Tinubu also assured Soludo of his unwavering support and continued collaboration between the federal and state governments. He further praised the new INEC leadership, headed by Professor Joash Amupitan, for conducting what election observers described as a credible poll, urging the commission to maintain and improve its standards. Similarly, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who chairs the Southern Governors Forum, congratulated Soludo, affirming the public’s confidence in his leadership and urging him to deepen democratic dividends and foster inclusivity.

Governor Soludo, reacting to his landslide win, expressed gratitude to the people of Anambra for renewing his mandate with 73 percent of the total votes, noting that his administration lost only six out of 326 wards and won all 21 local government areas. He thanked President Tinubu for demonstrating true democratic values and commended the new INEC Chairman for a commendable first outing. Extending a hand of fellowship to his fellow contestants, Soludo emphasized his commitment to working for all Anambra people. He also mourned the death of a councillor from Owerre Ezukala community, who was reportedly shot after casting his vote in a border town, describing the incident as “unfair and tragic.”

However, the election was not without controversy. Dr. George Moghalu, the Labour Party candidate, expressed strong reservations, stating that the outcome did not reflect the wishes of the people of Anambra due to alleged vote-buying, voter intimidation, and brutalization of party agents. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported several arrests for alleged vote-buying, including Emeka Ilokasia, Nwachuwu Loretta, and Emuka Chuwudi. Conversely, the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Elizabeth Agwu, dismissed claims of widespread vote-buying, challenging accusers to provide credible evidence. She lauded the overall electoral process, highlighting effective logistics, adequate security deployment, and the efficient performance of BVAS machines. While REC Agwu claimed that “voters turned out en masse,” observations by THISDAY and other media outlets noted a “low turnout” of residents and commercial vehicle operators who defied movement restrictions.

Security efforts were notably robust, with Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu describing the election as largely peaceful, while DIG Benjamin Okolo credited strategic deployment and aerial surveillance for maintaining calm, especially in flashpoints like Ihiala LGA.

Several key factors contributed significantly to Governor Soludo’s overwhelming victory. Firstly, his incumbency advantage allowed him to leverage political structures, mobilize resources, and benefit from the high visibility of his office, especially after emerging unopposed in the APGA primary. Secondly, his first-term projects earned him genuine goodwill, including the launch of the Agunechemba Vigilante in January 2025 for enhanced security, extensive road construction projects such as the Ekwulobia Flyover, free education, free antenatal and delivery care, and urban renewal initiatives like the transformation of Kpoko slum.

Thirdly, APGA’s dominance as a “homegrown” party with deep institutional roots and grassroots penetration through Solution Marshals provided unmatched voter mobilization capabilities. Fourthly, his subtle but strategic political alignment with President Bola Tinubu, including his appointment to the Presidential Economic Advisory Team in March 2024 and his public support for the President, insulated him from federal antagonism and signaled access to the center of power.

Fifthly, elite endorsement from influential figures, such as billionaire Arthur Eze, provided both financial muscle and social legitimacy. Sixthly, widespread goodwill from his perceived performance in development sectors earned him admiration across all senatorial districts. Finally, the zoning arrangement in Anambra State, which favored the Anambra South District (Soludo’s origin), also played a crucial role, as his re-election ensured the continuity of this rotational principle, thereby maintaining political stability for the district’s turn.