By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued certificates of return to the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, and his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim.
The Supervising INEC National Commissioner in charge of the Anambra State election, Kenneth Ikeagu, presented the certificates to them on Tuesday, November 11 in Awka, the state capital.
The presentation of the certificates comes two days after Soludo and his deputy of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) were declared winners of the November 8 governorship election, among candidates from 15 other political parties.
With the issuance of the certificates of return, Soludo and Ibezim have officially been confirmed as the re-elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Anambra State, respectively.
Ikeagu noted that the certificates were presented in accordance with the provision of Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
He said, “We are here to present the certificates of return to the governor and deputy governor of Anambra State, following their successful outing during the state governorship election held on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
“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 governorship election.”
Soludo and his deputy were accompanied to the state INEC headquarters to receive the certificates by their wives.
Recall that the result of the election was announced by the Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Edoba Omoregie, at the INEC collation centre in Awka, on Sunday, November 9.
From the results, Soludo won in all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state in a landslide and was declared winner of the keenly contested election.
Soludo polled a total of 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, who scored 99,445 votes.
