The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially presented certificates of return to the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, and his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim.
The presentation took place on Tuesday in Awka, two days after they were declared winners of the November 8, 2025, governorship election.
The certificates were handed over by Kenneth Ikeagu, Supervising INEC National Commissioner for the Anambra election, formally confirming Soludo and Ibezim as the re-elected Governor and Deputy Governor of the state.
Speaking during the presentation, Ikeagu said, “We are here to present the certificates of return to the Governor and Deputy Governor of Anambra State, following their successful outing in the state governorship election held on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
“Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate duly returned by the returning officer. In compliance with this provision, I have the honour to present the certificates to the Governor and Deputy Governor-elect.”
Soludo, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, emerged victorious in the closely contested election.
The Returning Officer, Professor Edoba Omoregie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, announced that Soludo polled 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who received 99,445 votes. The Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Paul Chukwuma, placed third with 37,753 votes.
INEC reported that 16 candidates from 16 political parties contested the election. Out of 2,788,864 registered voters in the state, 598,229 were accredited, and 595,298 votes were cast. Of these, 11,244 votes were rejected across all 21 local government areas.
Soludo secured a landslide victory, winning in all 21 local government areas. Both the Governor and his Deputy were accompanied to the INEC headquarters by their wives.