The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Tuesday, presented Certificates of Return to Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, and his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, following their victory during Saturday’s Governorship Election in the state.
The Certificate was presented by the INEC Supervising National Commissioner in charge of Anambra governorship Election, Mr Kenneth Ikeagu, at the State headquarters, Awka.
Presenting the certificates, Ukeagu said the activity was in line with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate who has been duly returned by the returning officer under the Act.
“In compliance with this statutory provision, I have the honour and privilege, in my capacity as the Supervising National Electoral Commissioner of the Anambra State governorship election, to present the certificates of return to the Governor and the Deputy Governor-elect, who emerged victorious in the just-concluded governorship election,” he said.
Noting that the activity marks the formal completion of the 2025 Governorship Electoral process, Ukeagu said it represents the manifestation of the determination, commitment, and doggedness by INEC and the people of Anambra State to have a seamless transition in governance.
He emphasized that the INEC, through the election, demonstrated its resolve to deepen election integrity, the INEC National Commissioner noted that the election was conducted peacefully in all parts of the state.
He commended the security agencies, the Corps members, INEC staff and other adhoc personnel deployed by the INEC for the election, applauding the decorum maintained by Anambra people during the exercise.
“I want to commend the political parties who demonstrated civility and respect for rule of law. Also, Anambra people showed that elections can be keenly contested but peacefully conducted,” he said.
Ukeagu said now that the election has come and gone, governance must begin, reminding the governor that the people have reaffirmed their faith in his governance, and he owes them a duty to approach the second tenure with every sense of humility and commitment to the cause of the people.
He urged candidates of other political parties to join hands with him to build a prosperous Anambra State.
Responding after receiving the certificate, Governor Soludo praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, for the credibility of the process, saying they have not been commended enough for the exercise.
Soludo, who was accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, and their spouses, expressed delight the new INEC Chairman’s first was in Anambra and was credible.
According to him, the credibility shows that there is hope for Nigeria, commending the security agencies, who stood firm and insisted that the will of the people must not be subverted.
Soludo also appreciated the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, for what he called ‘his very firm stand that this is a multi-party democracy and that the votes of the people must count.’
“All we wanted in Anambra was a free, fair and credible election that would reflect the true will of the people. We didn’t ask to be allowed to do anything else
“I have always said that our electoral process has been getting better and better. Every electoral year, we look back and see that we have done better than the previous one.
“When we had a by-election in August this year, our stand was: let the votes count. Let the people vote, count the votes, and announce the results. INEC did, and for the first time, APGA won a Senate election with 75%, just because the votes were allowed to count.
“This time, we did it again, and we said we stood for free, fair, credible, and transparent elections, and INEC did it.
“Finally, I want to thank the Anambra people who came out, many who stood under the sun. To the candidates, I say we are like that in Anambra; we are brothers. In 2010, I ran, and even though the winner said it was a sham and scored only 30 percent, I called a press conference two hours later and congratulated him.
“In that same vein, I call on every other contestant in this election to join me as we move the state forward,” he said.
