A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has has been declared winner of the Anambra Governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Soludo is the standard bearer of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State.
His victory was announced by the Returning Officer of the Anambra Governorship Election; Prof. Florence Obi in the early hours of today, Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at the INEC office in Awka, Anambra State. Soludo’s victory came after the collation of results in Ihiala local government; a location in which a fiercely contested supplementary poll had been held on Tuesday.
Prof. Obi said: “That Charles Chukwuma Soludo of APGA, having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.’’
Meanwhile, prior to the declaration of the Anambra as inconclusive by INEC due to the non-conduct of voting in Ihiala; Soludo had already won in 18 out of 20 local government areas in Anambra State. However, this did n0t stop him from claiming victory in Ihiala LGA as well. Consequently, Soludo ended up winning in 19 of the 21 local governments areas in the state.
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The APGA candidate, a former don of the University of Nigeria, emerged winner 112,229 votes. Coming a distant second was the candidate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Valentine Ozigbo with 53,807 votes; while Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) garnered 43,285 votes. In fourth position was Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) with 21,261 votes.
1st News reports that Soludo will replace incumbent governor, Willie Obiano as the helmsman in Anambra State.
Equally important, his victory has also been widely craved by neutrals, especially in view of the globally certified status of the former CBN governor as an outstanding technocrat and first rate economist who is widely respected and consulted by leading economies and global agencies. Furthermore, Soludo overcame a number of obstacles to emerge victorious as Anambra governor; including an alleged assassination attempt as well as a number of legal battles within the APGA.
He will be sworn in to office to replace Obiano in March 2022.
