INEC issues Certificates of Return to Soludo and Deputy
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificates of Return to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim.
The certificates were handed over on Tuesday in Awka by the Supervising INEC National Commissioner for the Anambra governorship election, Kenneth Ikeagu—two days after the duo were officially declared winners of the November 8, 2025, poll.
With this presentation, INEC has formally confirmed Soludo and Ibezim as the duly re-elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Anambra State.
While presenting the certificates, Ikeagu said, “We are here to present the Certificates of Return to the Governor and Deputy Governor of Anambra State following their successful performance in the governorship election held on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
“Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates the Commission to issue a Certificate of Return within 14 days to every candidate duly returned by the returning officer. In compliance with this provision, it is my honour and privilege, as the Supervising National Commissioner, to present these certificates to the Governor and Deputy Governor-elect, who emerged victorious in the just-concluded election.”
Soludo, who contested under the banner of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was declared winner on Sunday by the Returning Officer, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin.
According to the official results, Soludo secured 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes. The Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes.
INEC noted that a total of 16 candidates contested the election, with 2,788,864 registered voters in the state. Out of this number, 598,229 were accredited, and 595,298 votes were cast, while 11,244 were rejected across the 21 local government areas.
The APGA candidate achieved a clean sweep, winning in all 21 local government areas of Anambra State.
Governor Soludo and Deputy Governor Ibezim attended the presentation ceremony at the INEC headquarters in Awka alongside their wives.
