By Chika Eze, Abuja
Governor-elect of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for what he described as the best governorship election in the recent past.
He equally dedicated his re-election victory to the people of Anambra, promising to deliver greater dividends of democracy and sustain the state’s development drive in the years ahead.
Addressing supporters and journalists shortly after his declaration as winner of the just-concluded governorship election, Soludo expressed deep gratitude to ‘Ndi’ Anambra for what he described as an emphatic show of trust and confidence in his administration.
“This victory is not just a win; it is history made,” Soludo said. “Anambra has spoken loudly through the ballot. You have renewed our mandate with overwhelming support, and for that, we are humbled.”
The re-elected governor, who polled over 73% of the total votes cast, said the outcome represented one of the most decisive endorsements in the state’s democratic history.
He noted that the election also witnessed an encouraging improvement in voter turnout, breaking the long-standing 20% participation barrier.
According to Soludo, “Never before has Anambra recorded this level of enthusiasm and participation. This election is a testament to the people’s faith in democracy and their desire for continuity and progress.”
Credible Poll
Soludo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and credible election in the state, describing him as a “true democrat” who demonstrated leadership by guaranteeing a level playing field for all contestants.
He also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its new Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo-Amupitan, for their professionalism and commitment to credible electoral processes.
“This is one of the best elections organised under the new INEC leadership. By midnight on election day, over 99% of polling unit results had already been uploaded on the IReV portal, a remarkable milestone,” Soludo noted, adding that the prompt transmission of results enhanced transparency and public confidence in the process.
Appeal To Opponents
In a gesture of sportsmanship, Soludo extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents, urging them to join hands with him in building a stronger, more prosperous Anambra State.
“This is the Anambra spirit. We may fight fiercely during elections, but we remain brothers and sisters afterward. Let’s embrace each other and move forward for the greater good of our state,” he appealed.
Soludo acknowledged the contributions of traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, and business stakeholders for their continued partnership with his administration, assuring them of sustained collaboration in the next four years.
The governor-elect reaffirmed his commitment to good governance, job creation, infrastructural renewal, and socio-economic transformation.
He stated that his administration was already preparing for the next phase of development, even as results were still being collated.
“Even last night, while collation was ongoing, I was on calls with my team discussing the 2026 budget framework. Anambra cannot wait. Governance is a 24/7 job, and we must keep working to meet our people’s expectations,” he said.
Soludo emphasised that his second term would focus on consolidating ongoing reforms, expanding opportunities for youths and entrepreneurs, and strengthening local government systems to bring development closer to the grassroots.
The governor concluded his remarks with a call for unity and collective effort among Anambra’s political class and citizens, urging them to prioritize the state’s development over partisan differences.
“I applied for this job to serve, and together with ‘Ndi Anambra’, we shall leave our state better than we met it. The journey continues, and I believe the best is yet to come,” Soludo declared.
He prayed for continued peace, prosperity, and progress in Anambra State and Nigeria at large.
Soludo’s Political Journey
Professor Chukwuma Soludo, a renowned economist and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), first won election as Governor of Anambra State in 2021 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
His victory marked a continuation of APGA’s stronghold in Anambra politics, a state long regarded as the party’s bastion since the days of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Soludo’s administration has since focused on infrastructure renewal, fiscal discipline, digital governance, and youth empowerment.
With his renewed mandate, Soludo becomes only the third governor to be re-elected in Anambra’s history since the return of democracy in 1999, after Mr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Mr. Peter Obi, and Chief Willie Obiano.