By Olayinka Owolabi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday officially confirmed the re-election of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, by presenting them with their Certificates of Return.
The presentation ceremony, held at the INEC headquarters in Awka, was conducted by Kenneth Ikeagu, INEC’s Supervising National Commissioner for Anambra State—two days after Soludo and Ibezim were declared winners of the November 8 governorship election.
Speaking during the event, Ikeagu stated: “Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates INEC to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate duly returned by the returning officer.
In compliance with this statutory provision, I have the honour and privilege, in my capacity as the Supervising National Electoral Commissioner of the Anambra State governorship election, to present the Certificates of Return to the Governor and the Deputy Governor-elect, who emerged victorious in the just-concluded election.”
Governor Soludo and his deputy were accompanied by their wives at the ceremony.
Reacting to his re-election earlier on Sunday, Soludo described the victory as a testament to the confidence Anambra voters have in his administration’s commitment to economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and social development.
The Blaze Newspaper, recalls that Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), secured 422,664 votes, to defeat his closest rival, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Paul Chukwuma of the Young People’s Party (YPP) came third with 37,753 votes, while George Muoghalu of the Labour Party (LP) placed fourth with 10,576 votes.
President Bola Tinubu, in a congratulatory message on Sunday, described Soludo’s re-election as “an affirmation of his visionary leadership and the tangible progress recorded under his administration.”
