Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state will know his fate today as the people of the state go to the various polling boots in the 21 LGAs to vote for the governorship candidate of their choice.
Apart from Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who’s the candidate of the APGA in the election, other political parties including the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Progressives Congress, APC, Youth Peoples Party, YPP, Labour Party, LP are participating in the off-cycle election.
The other governorship candidates have vowed to unseat Prof Soludo who’s contesting for a second term in office, the incumbent, a Professor of Economics has promised a smooth ride in the election, citing his performance in office in the last four years as a major impetus.
The electoral umpire in the country, the Independent National electoral Commission, INEC and security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force, NPF have promised a free and fair election, by providing a peaceful atmosphere for voters to cast their votes.
According to informed analysts, the assurance is necessary, considering the governorship gladiators contesting the election, who they say can hold their own, and have supporters spread across the state. Pockets of violence cannot be totally ruled out during the election, they contend, also citing logistic problems in distributing election materials, as some of the challenges that today governorship election is likely to encounter.
Few hours before the election, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Department, FID, DIG Benjamin Okolo, read the riot act to criminal elements in the state who may want to truncate the election. They will be dealt with decisively, DIG Okoro said, adding that adequate security has been provided for the electorate to cast their votes without fear.
“Adequate security arrangement has been made in accordance with the IGP’s directive. Also, arrangements have been made to contain any issue that may arise during the exercise. Deployments have been made to respond swiftly to such incidents.
“We assure the people of Anambra that, through our interactions with stakeholders, the peace accord, and the readiness of our men on ground, every intention has been made to ensure that the election is peaceful, fair, and credible,” Okoro assured.
The magazine reports that a member of the House of Representatives, Victor Ogene, representing Ogbaru federal Constituency had earlier called for a peaceful atmosphere for the people to perform their civic rights by casting their ballots.
The lawmaker also urged Governor Soludo to ensure that the election is devoid of intimidation and inducements, urging the people of the state to vote according to their conscience.
He allayed the fear that communities who refused to support a particular candidate will be denied government support, saying it will be ‘illogical’ for any government to deny constituencies which refused to vote in its support, infrastructure projects.
Ogene: “It’s a misconception that those who don’t support a particular government will be denied development benefits. When infrastructure such as roads, boreholes, or schools are built, it’s illogical to think that only supporters of the administration will use them.
“In the case of Ogbaru, we have not been considered worthy of enjoying these acclaimed dividends of democracy, yet we are being blackmailed to think that, this time around, except we vote in a particular way, we would be further denied government patronage, an inalienable right of every citizen.
“I, therefore, urge every resident of Ogbaru, nay Anambra State, to go out on Saturday, November 8, 2025 to fulfill a sacred obligation imposed on them by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: vote for a candidate of their choice, without any fear of intimidation, coercion and or inducement.”
“The Ogbaru Federal Constituency, has long been neglected by the state government, with the sole connecting road in a deplorable state. Despite the area generating significant oil revenue, the lack of infrastructure has led to severe economic and social challenges, affecting farmers and businesses who struggle to transport goods to the market,” he said.
Even though the incumbent has vowed to win, citing the progress the state has recorded under him, as well as what other analysts suggest as “federal support” behind him, the election, they insist is still open for any of the candidates.
According to them, the election may not be as easy to win for the incumbent despite the endorsement from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who preferred not to support his party’s All progressives Congress, APC candidate in the election, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu citing his long friendship with Governor Soludo.
President Tinubu had in May this year, while commissioning projects executed by Governor Soludo described the former CBN Governor as a “friend and partner”, promising to support him.
Tinubu: “I salute the enterprise of the South east and her people, and your unwavering commitment to success, not just to the South east but to Nigeria as a whole.
“Soludo your son is my friend and still remains my friend. He is a brilliant man, he has the brain and he knows the way and we will work together. We will work together to bring prosperity back and put Anambra is on the rise.
“I have just commissioned several landmark projects today, this are bold statements and they point to his ability as a leader. I remember when he (Soludo) wanted to consolidate banks and many people said it was impossible, but he did it and today we are benefiting from that action.”
The president’s remark had ruffled feathers in his party, particularly in the camp of the APC candidate, Ukachukwu, who in spite of this assured his supporters that he will defeat the incumbent, so long the election is free and fair.
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