George Ozalla
Charles Chukwuma Soludo has secured a second term as Governor of Anambra State following the November 8, 2025 governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Soludo, running on the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ticket, garnered 422,664 votes and was declared winner after winning all 21 local government areas of the state. His closest challenger, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 99,445 votes.
By winning in both urban centres and rural constituencies, Soludo’s re‑election strengthens APGA’s nearly two‑decade dominance in the South‑East state. Observers noted that the election was largely peaceful, though voter turnout was relatively low, estimated between 20 and 23 per cent, with isolated reports of vote‑buying in some areas.
Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a political heavyweight in Anambra, returns to office at a time when the state faces infrastructure deficits, security challenges in its trade and transport corridors, and mounting expectations for economic renewal.
His victory comes after an intense campaign season marked by Nicholas Ukachukwu’s bid to challenge APGA’s hold on the state and the candidacy of Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), who garnered 37,753 votes. Smaller parties also raised concerns over irregularities during the poll.
Political analysts interpret the outcome as both a validation of Soludo’s first‑term focus on economic and education reforms and a reaffirmation of APGA’s dominance in Anambra amid growing competition from national parties. Behind-the-scenes manoeuvring, including alliances, defections, and campaign funding battles, played a significant role in shaping the election landscape.
With this victory, Soludo embarks on a final eligible term under the standard four‑year gubernatorial limit. For residents, the election signals a preference for continuity, while placing pressure on the governor to deliver tangible results in infrastructure, job creation, and governance.
Anambra State, a commercial hub in Nigeria’s South‑East, has long been a stronghold of APGA. Since the party assumed power, it has maintained control of the governorship. The state is known for its entrepreneurial activity, high education indicators, and strong diaspora engagement. Soludo’s first term emphasized public sector reforms grounded in his financial‑sector expertise, and his re‑election may provide an opportunity to build on that agenda while meeting heightened public expectations.
