President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on his re-election as Governor of Anambra State, describing the victory as “an affirmation of visionary leadership” and a reflection of the people’s confidence in his administration.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Soludo winner of Saturday’s off-cycle poll after he clinched all 21 Local Government Areas, a result that reaffirms the political dominance of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state.
With this win, Soludo becomes the third governor in Anambra’s history – after Peter Obi and Willie Obiano to secure a second term in office. The victory extends APGA’s two-decade hold on the state’s politics, a legacy that began in 2006 when Peter Obi first brought the regional party into the national spotlight.
Observers say Saturday’s poll was not only a referendum on Soludo’s performance but also a test of APGA’s resilience in a changing South-East political landscape. Reports indicate that Soludo won by a landslide margin, polling over 420,000 votes, far ahead of his closest rival from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed and released on Sunday, President Tinubu praised the peaceful conduct of the election and commended INEC, security agencies, and voters for their role in ensuring a credible process.
“Professor Soludo’s re-election is a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance,” the President said.
“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.”
Tinubu urged Soludo to extend an olive branch to his opponents and continue to promote unity in the state. He also assured the governor of his administration’s unwavering support, adding that the Federal Government looks forward to deeper collaboration with Anambra on development initiatives.
The President recalled his visit to Anambra in May, when he inaugurated several projects executed by the Soludo administration, noting that the governor has brought “discipline, grace, and a fresh perspective” to governance.
Tinubu also used the opportunity to commend the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, for a credible and transparent process. He urged the electoral body to maintain and even raise the standards in future elections.
“The vitality of our democracy is reflected when hardworking leaders are rewarded at the ballot box,” Tinubu noted.
As Soludo begins his second term, analysts say the governor’s next challenge will be deepening economic reforms, improving security, and sustaining infrastructure development across the state.
