The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally handed Certificates of Return to Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, and his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, confirming their re-election for another term in office.
The presentation ceremony took place on Tuesday at the INEC office in Awka, where the Supervising National Commissioner for Anambra, Mr Kenneth Ikeagu, performed the official handover.
According to Ikeagu, the commission acted in compliance with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which directs INEC to issue certificates of return within 14 days to candidates duly declared winners.
“Today’s event marks the formal conclusion of the electoral process in Anambra State. It is my honour to present these certificates of return to the Governor and Deputy Governor-elect,” he said.
Governor Soludo, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), secured 422,664 votes to defeat his main challenger, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes. Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) came third with 37,753 votes.
Announcing the results earlier, the Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba Omoregie, declared Soludo the winner after he swept all 21 local government areas of the state.
INEC disclosed that a total of 16 political parties participated in the November 8 governorship election. Of the 2,788,864 registered voters, 598,229 were accredited, while 595,298 votes were cast, with 11,244 rejected.
Governor Soludo and his deputy were accompanied by their wives to the INEC headquarters for the presentation ceremony, where they were cheered by supporters and party officials.
