“This Is the Best Election INEC Has Organised in Anambra So Far,” Says Soludo

Governor Charles Soludo has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and President Bola Tinubu for what he described as the most credible governorship election ever conducted in Anambra State.

Speaking in Awka on Sunday after being declared the winner of the November 8 governorship election, Soludo said the exercise reflected the will of the people and showcased INEC’s progress in electoral management.

INEC’s returning officer, Edoba Omoregie, who is also the vice-chancellor of the University of Benin, announced that Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes.

In his victory speech, Soludo lauded President Tinubu as a “true democrat” who ensured a free and fair contest in the state. He also commended INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, noting that the commission’s performance under his leadership was exceptional.

“The people have spoken, and their votes counted. I thank INEC, especially the new chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan. I’m excited that your first impression was an emphatic one, as INEC delivered. Since 2017, when INEC started experimenting with technology, every election in Anambra has been getting better and better. This is the best election INEC has organised in Anambra so far,” Soludo said.

He praised INEC’s ICT department for ensuring transparency through real-time uploads of polling unit results on the IReV portal. “As at midnight, over 99 per cent of results from polling units were uploaded on the IReV portal, and everybody could download the results in real-time,” he said.

Soludo also congratulated his fellow contestants, urging them to see politics as a competition of ideas rather than hostility. “Sixteen of us were on the ballot, and obviously, one person will win. In the Anambra way, we fight like there will be no tomorrow, but afterward, we meet and celebrate. I extend a hand of fellowship to all of you, as I’m prepared to work with everyone for the greater good of our dear state,” he added.

The governor dedicated his victory to the people of Anambra, calling it a historic mandate that reflected growing civic participation. “This victory is for the people of Anambra. Four years ago, when BVAS was first used, we had a low voter turnout and you elected us with 112,000 votes. This time, you spoke loudly. For the first time in our history, voter participation broke the 20 per cent ceiling as 22 per cent of registered voters came out and you re-elected us with 73 per cent of total votes,” he said.

Expressing gratitude for the renewed trust, Soludo pledged to accelerate development across the state. “I’m humbled by this show of solidarity. We applied for the job, you employed us, and with this renewed trust and partnership, we will move into high gear to deliver more for the good of Anambra. Now that the people have spoken, let’s get to work — you ain’t seen anything yet,” he concluded.