The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday presented Certificates of Return to the re-elected Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, and his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, following their victory in the November 8, 2025, governorship election.
The presentation ceremony, held at the INEC State Headquarters in Awka, was conducted in compliance with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates the Commission to issue Certificates of Return within 14 days to duly elected candidates.
Speaking at the event, the Supervising National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Anambra State, Dr. Ken Ukeagu, described the exercise as the formal completion of the electoral process that began months earlier with the release of INEC’s timetable and schedule of activities.
He noted that the 2025 governorship election in Anambra demonstrated steady progress in Nigeria’s democratic journey, citing the effective deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal as key tools that enhanced transparency and efficiency.
“Across the 21 local government areas, the election was conducted peacefully in the overwhelming majority of polling units,” Dr. Ukeagu said, commending security agencies, INEC staff, youth corps members, political parties, civil society groups, and the media for their roles in ensuring a credible process.
He further urged the re-elected governor to see his renewed mandate as “a symbol of trust and responsibility” and to govern with humility, inclusiveness, and accountability.
“Elections may produce winners, but governance belongs to the people,” Ukeagu said, calling on all stakeholders to support the Soludo administration in building a stronger and more united Anambra State.
The INEC official reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to continuous electoral improvement through technology upgrades, voter education, and stakeholder engagement, adding that lessons from the Anambra election would guide preparations for upcoming polls in the Federal Capital Territory, Ekiti, and Osun States.
Governor Soludo and his deputy, Dr. Ibezim, were re-elected under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
