By Akinwale Kasali

Chioma Ifemeludike, African Action Congress, AAC, Candidate at the just concluded Anambra State Governorship Election has described herself as a winner, despite her 292 Votes at the polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared the incumbent Governor, Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, winner of the election with 422,664 votes. His closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, got only 99,445 votes.

Ifemeludike, in a post shared on X on Sunday, said her modest tally represented a symbolic victory rooted in principles rather than political machinery.

“Integrity stands firm and higher than political deception. I’m a winner!” she wrote.

Ifemeludike, who gained significant online attention during the campaign for her unconventional photos and videos, said she was satisfied with her performance and noted that her campaign was conducted without malpractice.

She maintained that her participation in the race .underscored the importance of sincerity, courage, and clean politics, even in an environment dominated by bigger political parties.

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu Says the emergence of Professor Charles Soludo for the second term as Anambra State Governor has justified that victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied.

The president, congratulated Soludo on his reelection for a second term, saying  “The overwhelming victory he recorded in Saturday’s poll has now made him the third governor in the state’s political history to win a second term.

In a statement he personally signed on Sunday, President Tinubu said the reelection was a testimony to the visionary leadership of Prof. Soludo.

According to him, Prof Soludo had shown that relevant knowledge could be applied to great effect in the service of the people.

He lauded him for running an administration undergirded by due process and accountability.

His words ” I congratulate Professor Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election as the Governor of Anambra State.

“I must also congratulate the people of Anambra State, the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the peaceful and successful conduct of the governorship election.

“Professor Soludo’s re-election is a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance.

“Governor Soludo, the Solution, has demonstrated that indeed knowledge is power and that academic principles can be applied in serving the people, undergirding accountability, transparency and prudent management of people and resources.

“I visited Anambra State in May this year, where I inaugurated some projects executed by the Soludo administration.

“I highlighted the good thinking behind the landmark projects being embarked upon by Mr Solution. That experience is indeed remarkable and will remain indelible in my mind.

“I commend Governor Soludo for bringing discipline, grace, brilliance, and a fresh perspective to governance in Anambra. Under him, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation.

“I urge Governor Soludo to be magnanimous in victory and to seek the cooperation of his opponents in the just-concluded elections.

“I assure Governor Soludo of my unwavering support, and I look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government.

“The victory of the opposition All Grand Progressives Alliance in the election again demonstrates the vitality of our political system and the fact that victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied.

“I must also thank the new INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, and his team for conducting what observers have described as a credible election, based on the reports I have received thus far.

“I charge the commission with maintaining the standards and further improving its performance, so we can continue to strengthen and deepen our electoral system. “

By Ayodele Oni  & Akinwale Kasali

From the onset, most people knew that Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo had no competitor in the November 8 Governorship Election. They knew the race was going to be easy and swift. They knew it was going to be a walk-over. He even foresaw it. He had said, during one of his campaigns that the contest was going to be between Chukwuma Soludo vs Chukwuma Soludo.

Indeed it was.

The defeat was effortless. He spared none. It was merciless. Within about 10 hours after the election, the result was obvious.

Governor Soludo, to get his second term gave other “participants” a knock out”. They scored zero. It was a no contest.  Some big guns lost not only in their Local Government Areas, but in their polling units.

No wonder he said he regarded the day as just another day. While the “participants” were screaming “vote-buying”, he said he was busy discussing  his 2026 budget.

As the result was finally announced celebrations broke  out  among the Governor’s Political Parties, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and his friends and loyalists.

Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, announced the results early Sunday at INEC’s state collation center in Awka.

Soludo polled 422,664 votes, dominating all 21 Local Government Areas, a rare feat matched only once before in Anambra’s history.

His closest rival, APC’s Nicholas Ukachukwu, garnered 101,089 votes, followed by Labour Party’s George Moghalu with 10,576 and PDP’s Jude Ezenwafor with 9,281.

“Having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, Soludo Charles Chukwuma is hereby declared winner and returned elected,” Omoregie stated, certifying total valid votes at 584,054 from 5,720 polling units, with 98% uploaded to INEC’s IReV portal for real-time verification.

The incumbent governor, who voted at PU 002 in Isuofia Ward, Aguata LGA, hailed the outcome as a “mandate for continuity and progress.

“This is Anambra’s victory peaceful, credible, and reflective of our people’s aspirations,” Soludo said in his acceptance speech, pledging deeper investments in security, education, and infrastructure.

Observers from Yiaga Africa and civil society groups praised INEC’s efficiency, noting minimal disruptions despite isolated reports of vote-buying.

APGA’s triumph extends its grip on Anambra, following predecessors Peter Obi and Willie Obiano.

Ukachukwu congratulated Soludo but urged probes into alleged irregularities, while opposition parties vowed judicial reviews.

Voter turnout hovered at 65%, buoyed by BVAS technology and early result transmissions.