Governor wins all 21 LGAs with 72% of votes; Yiaga Africa and partners affirm INEC’s transparency while condemning vote buying and voter apathy
Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has secured a resounding second-term victory in the Anambra State governorship election, winning all 21 local government areas of the state. Official results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show Soludo polling 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes. Labour Party candidate George Moghalu came third with 10,576 votes, while African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate John Chuma-Nwosu trailed with 8,208.
Announcing the results at the state collation centre in Awka, Returning Officer Professor Edoba Omoregie, Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, described the election as credible and largely peaceful. Of the 2.78 million registered voters, only 598,229 were accredited, with 584,054 valid ballots and 11,244 rejected, reflecting a voter turnout of just over 21 percent.
Independent election observers under the Anambra Election Observation Hub—comprising Yiaga Africa, the Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, Centre for Media and Society, Nigeria Women Trust Fund, ElectHER, and TAF Africa—validated the official outcome, declaring it consistent with their independent estimates. Backed by the European Union under its Support for Democratic Governance Project, the coalition stated that “the official results for the 2025 Anambra governorship election reflect the ballots cast at polling units,” noting that its Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology confirmed INEC’s figures.
Yiaga Africa’s analysis indicated that APGA secured between 71.2 and 75.4 percent of votes, aligning with INEC’s 72.37 percent, while APC’s 17.03 percent fell within its projected range of 15.1 to 18.5 percent. The group found voter turnout between 20.3 and 22.9 percent, mirroring official data. Despite acknowledging improvements in logistics and security coordination, the coalition condemned widespread vote buying and persistent voter apathy, warning that such practices “erode equality in competition and undermine democratic legitimacy.”
Governor Soludo lauded INEC for the orderly conduct of the exercise but expressed concern about reported cases of inducement in Nnewi South, where some voters were allegedly paid as much as ₦15,000. “The election will be won on the basis of one man, one vote,” he said after casting his ballot, while accusing an unnamed party of plotting to manipulate results at the collation stage. He nevertheless praised voters for their vigilance and peaceful participation.
In local developments, Soludo and Ukachukwu both won their polling units convincingly, while Labour Party’s Moghalu lost his. Soludo polled 126 votes to PDP’s Valentine Ozigbo’s five at his polling unit, while Ukachukwu delivered his Osumenyi II unit with 126 votes to APGA’s six. At Uruagu Ward 1 in Nnewi North, Moghalu managed 22 votes against Soludo’s 57, out of 86 accredited voters.
Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, placed responsibility for low voter participation squarely on political parties. Appearing on Channels Television, he argued that “if voters are not turning up on election day, political parties should take full responsibility.” He blamed poor communication, weak community engagement, and declining public trust for the apathy that has come to characterize elections in Nigeria. “Elections are not just about fielding candidates or running flashy campaigns; they are about winning the confidence of the people,” he noted, urging parties to build relationships with voters beyond campaign seasons.
Despite the low turnout, local observers and officials praised the generally smooth process. Ifeoma Azikiwe, APGA lawmaker representing Onitsha North Constituency I, commended INEC’s preparedness and the orderly atmosphere, while Youths Development Commissioner Patrick Aghamba lauded early arrival of materials and the enthusiasm of voters.
Across the state, logistics were not without hitches. Voting in several areas began behind schedule due to malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, though most issues were later resolved. Security agents were applauded for professionalism, with no major incidents of violence reported.
The Anambra Election Observation Hub, in its post-election statement, urged INEC to sustain reforms that enhance operational efficiency and transparency, while calling for broader national dialogue on civic disengagement. The coalition emphasized that declining voter participation, especially among young people, poses “a critical question about the legitimacy of governance.” It further recommended stronger sanctions against vote buying and measures to improve inclusivity for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
With the conclusion of the 2025 Anambra governorship election, analysts say Soludo’s victory underscores APGA’s continued dominance in the state but also exposes deep voter disillusionment. As civic groups push for electoral and political reforms, they warn that Nigeria’s democracy will only thrive when voters once again feel seen, heard, and valued by those seeking their mandate.
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