Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially handed over the Certificate of Return to Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, confirming his re-election as the governor of Anambra State following the November 8 governorship poll.
The presentation took place on Tuesday at the INEC headquarters in Awka. Mr. Kenneth Ikeagu, the Supervising National Electoral Commissioner for the Anambra election, performed the handover on behalf of the commission.
Ikeagu explained that the event was in line with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates INEC to issue certificates of return within 14 days to all duly elected candidates.
“In compliance with this statutory provision, I have the honour and privilege, in my capacity as the Supervising National Electoral Commissioner for the Anambra governorship election, to present the certificates of return to the governor-elect and the deputy governor-elect,” Ikeagu said.
Accepting the certificate, Governor Soludo expressed gratitude to Ndi Anambra for their overwhelming support, pledging to justify the confidence reposed in him.
“This election is unique, as we were elected with 73 per cent of the total valid votes cast. History has been made in Anambra,” Soludo stated.
The governor praised President Bola Tinubu, security agencies, and INEC for ensuring a credible and transparent electoral process.
“I thank President Tinubu for standing firm to ensure that the will of the people prevailed,” he said. “I also thank INEC for restoring our confidence in the electoral process by conducting a free, fair, credible and transparent election.”
Soludo also commended the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, describing his first major outing as a “resounding success.”
“With this Anambra election, there is renewed hope for our country,” he added.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting INEC’s efforts to strengthen the nation’s democracy and appealed to his political opponents to join hands with him in the interest of the state.
“The election is over. It is time to come together and serve our people, because Anambra must continue to rise,” Soludo said.
According to official results announced by the Returning Officer, Professor Edoba Omoregie, Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr. Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes.
