Soludo Hails President Tinubu and INEC, Declares Anambra Election Nigeria’s Gold Standard

Governor Chukwuma Soludo celebrates victory and hails INEC and President Tinubu for the credible Anambra election.

Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the just-concluded Anambra governorship election as “Nigeria’s gold standard” in democratic excellence and transparency. Governor Soludo, who was declared the winner of the November 8, 2025, governorship election by INEC on Sunday, commended the electoral body for conducting what he called the most credible and technologically advanced election ever held in the state’s history.

Speaking at a post-election briefing in Awka, Governor Soludo expressed deep satisfaction with the performance of INEC under the leadership of its new Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, noting that the electoral body had finally delivered a process that reflected the true will of the people.

“The people have spoken, and their votes truly counted,” Soludo said. “Since 2017, INEC has continued to improve with each election cycle, but this one stands out as the best-organized election in Anambra’s history. The use of technology and real-time transparency was outstanding.”

Soludo, who contested under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), polled 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 99,445 votes.
The results were announced by Professor Edoba Omoregie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin and Returning Officer for the election, at INEC’s state headquarters in Awka.

In his victory speech, Soludo extended gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a true democrat whose leadership ensured a level playing field for all candidates regardless of political affiliation.

“I must sincerely thank President Tinubu for allowing democracy to thrive. His commitment to free and fair elections has strengthened the credibility of our democratic institutions,” Soludo stated.

The governor noted that the peaceful and transparent conduct of the 2025 Anambra governorship election should serve as a model for future polls across Nigeria, adding that it demonstrated what could be achieved when political leaders place national interest above partisan considerations.

Governor Soludo attributed the success of the election to INEC’s effective deployment of technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. He explained that for the first time, citizens were able to monitor results in real time without relying on rumors or manipulation.

“As of midnight after voting ended, more than 99% of results had already been uploaded to the IReV portal,” he said. “Everyone could access the data as it came in. This level of transparency restored public confidence in the process.”

Observers have since hailed the Anambra election as a benchmark for electoral credibility, noting that the swift collation and publication of results significantly reduced tension and post-election disputes.
Despite the intense nature of the campaign season, Soludo struck a reconciliatory tone in his speech, calling on his fellow contestants to join hands in building a greater Anambra.

“Sixteen of us were on the ballot, but only one person can win,” he said. “In the Anambra spirit, we may fight during elections, but afterward, we come together to celebrate and rebuild. I extend a hand of fellowship to all my fellow contestants. Let’s work together for the progress of our state.”

He emphasized that politics should be viewed as a contest of ideas, not enmity or bitterness, noting that his administration remains open to collaboration with all stakeholders willing to contribute to Anambra’s growth and development.
Governor Soludo described his re-election as a historic mandate and a reaffirmation of the people’s faith in his vision for a modern and prosperous Anambra.

“This victory belongs to the people,” he said. “Four years ago, when BVAS was introduced, voter turnout was low, and I was elected with 112,000 votes. Today, we’ve broken that record, as over 22% of registered voters came out to speak loudly through the ballot.”

Soludo secured 73% of the total votes cast, reflecting a resounding show of confidence in his leadership. He attributed the improved voter turnout to citizens’ growing trust in the electoral process and their belief that every vote truly counts.

With renewed energy and the people’s trust, Soludo promised to take his administration’s developmental agenda to new heights, focusing on infrastructural expansion, job creation, and improved governance.

“We applied for the job, and the people have re-employed us,” he said with optimism. “Now, it’s time to get to work. We are moving into high gear to deliver even more results for Anambra. You haven’t seen anything yet.”

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to education, strengthening healthcare delivery, improving security, and empowering small businesses—especially in the state’s rural areas.

Independent observers, civil society organizations, and international partners have also commended the peaceful conduct of the election. Many highlighted the coordination between INEC, the security agencies, and the media as a major factor in ensuring credibility and transparency. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Yiaga Africa, in their post-election assessment, described the Anambra poll as a model for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, urging other states to adopt similar technological transparency measures.

Political analysts believe the 2025 governorship election in Anambra will be remembered for several key milestones:
1. Highest voter participation since 2010, with over 22% turnout.

2. Fastest collation and upload of results in Anambra’s election history.

3. Minimal incidents of violence or electoral malpractice.

4. Enhanced confidence in INEC’s digital platforms.

Experts also credit Governor Soludo’s strong grassroots appeal and visible development projects as decisive factors behind his overwhelming victory.
See Also... 2025 Anambra Governorship Election: A Referendum on the State’s Future Ejiofor
As Nigeria continues to refine its democratic processes, the Anambra election stands as proof of hope, proof that credible elections are possible when institutions function independently and transparently. Governor Soludo’s remarks resonated with optimism and gratitude, not just for his personal victory but for the evolution of Nigeria’s democratic journey.

“This election has shown that democracy is alive and well in Nigeria,” he concluded. “Let Anambra be the gold standard for future elections across our nation.”

By Primelineinfo