Soludo Wins Anambra Governorship Election Amid Vote-Buying Allegations

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has secured a second term as Anambra State governor after winning last Saturday’s governorship election by a landslide.

Announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Prof. Edoba Omoregie (SAN), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, declared that Soludo polled 422,664 votes to defeat 14 other candidates. His closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scored 99,445 votes, while Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Sir Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes. Soludo won in all 21 local government areas of the state.

With this victory, Soludo becomes the third governor in Anambra’s history to be re-elected on the platform of APGA, following the legacies of Peter Obi and Willie Obiano.

Tinubu Congratulates Soludo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated Soludo on his victory, describing it as a testament to his visionary leadership and the progress recorded under his administration.

In a personal message, Tinubu said Soludo’s success shows that “knowledge and accountability can drive governance,” adding that Anambra is indeed living up to its motto as “the Light of the Nation.”

He urged the governor to be magnanimous in victory and assured him of continued collaboration between the Federal Government and Anambra State.

In response, Soludo thanked the President for ensuring a free and fair election, commending his commitment to democratic integrity.

Opposition Rejects Results, Cites Vote Buying

Despite the widespread praise for the peaceful conduct of the poll, opposition parties decried rampant vote buying and alleged manipulation.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, John Nwosu, condemned the election as a “cash-driven exercise,” claiming that voters were openly bribed with between ₦3,000 and ₦20,000 at polling units.

He described the process as “a national embarrassment,” arguing that an election “marred by corruption and financial inducement cannot reflect the people’s true will.”

Similarly, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement from Abuja, labelled the election “a heavily monetised process that undermined democracy,” faulting both security agencies and INEC officials for their alleged inaction.

YPP candidate, Dr. Paul Chukwuma, also rejected the results, vowing to challenge the outcome in court over alleged violations of the Electoral Act.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the arrest of three individuals for vote buying in different locations across the state.

Booth Party, Others Condemn Cash-for-Votes

Booth Party candidate, Okeke Chika Jerry, described vote buying as “a dangerous trend threatening Nigeria’s democracy.” He urged INEC to prosecute both offenders and their sponsors, insisting that political candidates caught funding such acts should be disqualified.

Soludo, while reacting to the allegations, accused a rival candidate from Nnewi South of offering ₦15,000 per voter but said it did not affect his victory.

Analysts, Observers React

Observers noted that Soludo’s win reflects his strong political base and the weakness of opposition forces in the state.

Wale Adeoye, Executive Director of Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), said Soludo “deserved his victory,” describing him as one of the few governors who have maintained strong ties with the Federal Government without compromising state autonomy.

Adeoye urged the APC candidate to accept defeat, noting that while voter apathy and vote buying remain concerns, INEC’s logistics and collation were largely commendable.

APGA National Chairman, Sylvester Ezeokenwa, hailed the election as proof of progress in Nigeria’s democratic journey, though he admitted that the malfunctioning of BVAS devices still needs to be addressed.

Okechukwu: Proof Tinubu Is Not Pursuing One-Party Rule

Reacting to Soludo’s victory, founding APC chieftain and former VON Director-General, Osita Okechukwu, said the outcome disproves claims that President Tinubu is working toward a one-party state.

He argued that if the APC wanted to dominate Nigeria’s political space, it could have manipulated the election. “If APC wanted a one-party state, Soludo wouldn’t have won,” Okechukwu said.

He described the “one-party state” theory as lazy and unfounded, noting that Tinubu’s reforms are beginning to win converts across party lines, a trend driven by conviction, not coercion.