As Anambra State prepares for the polls in a few months time, all eyes are on Gov. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who wants a 2nd term.
He believes he would win based on the great work he has done in the last 4 years and the popularity of his party, APGA. The party is so popular in the state and the popularity showed a few days ago when Emmanuel Nwachukwu, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), won Saturday’s by-election in Anambra South senatorial district.
Frank Ojiako, Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the results on Sunday.
Nwachukwu scored 90,408 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Azuka Okwuosa of All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 19,847 votes.
Donald Amangbo of the African Democratic Congress(ADC) polled 2,889 votes to occupy the third position. “I hereby make the declaration that Emmanuel Nwachukwu of APGA, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Ojiako said.
The Anambra South Senatorial district seat was vacant following the death of Ifeanyi Ubah, the former senator representing the district.
Ubah died in London in June 2024 at the age of 52. He was re-elected to the 10th Senate on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in 2023. He later defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in October 2023.
APGA maintained dominance in ANAMBRA as Ifeoma Azikiwe, APGA candidate, was also declared winner of the Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the Anambra House of Assembly.
Ibiam Ekpe, INEC returning officer for the election, announced that Azikiwe polled 7,774 votes to defeat her closest challenger, Justina Azuka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who pooled 1,909 votes. The seat was vacant following the death of Justice Azuka, the former lawmaker representing the constituency. Azuka was kidnapped in December 2024 and his decomposing body was later found in February 2025.
Lets tell you about Gov. Charles Chukwuma Soludo the popular politician, economist, and banker who has been serving as Governor of Anambra State since March 17, 2022. Born on July 28, 1960, in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Soludo’s life and career have been marked by academic excellence, significant contributions to economic policy, and active involvement in Nigerian public life .
Soludo attended Uga Boys High School and later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he earned a first-class honors degree in Economics in 1984, a Master’s degree in 1987, and a Ph.D. in 1989. He became a Professor of Economics at UNN in 1998.
Soludo has been serving as the Governor of Anambra State since March 2022, prioritizing economic development, infrastructure growth, and security.
He served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from May 2004 to May 2009, implementing banking reforms that strengthened the Nigerian financial sector.
Soludo worked as the Chief Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2003 to 2004.
He has worked as a Visiting scholar at institutions like the International Monetary Fund, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford, and as a consultant for organizations like the World Bank and United Nations .
Soludo has received numerous accolades, including:
He is known for his humility, despite his achievements, and has described himself as “a poor village boy whom God has lifted and gifted.
What are his achievements in the last 4 years in office?
Governor Charles Soludo’s performance in Anambra State has been impressive, with notable achievements in various sectors like:
Infrastructure Development: His administration has made significant investments in road construction, with over 754 kilometers of new roads contracted and 462 kilometers asphalted and completed. Additionally, five major water schemes have been rehabilitated.
Security: Soludo’s administration has prioritized security, establishing the Anambra State Security Trust Fund and implementing community policing initiatives. The state has also invested in technology-driven security systems, including CCTV cameras, drones, and forensic equipment.
Economic Development: The governor has created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, attracting local and foreign investors through initiatives like the “Anambra Business City” project. His administration has also empowered small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and supported local industries.
Education and Healthcare: Soludo’s government has recruited 8,115 teachers, rehabilitated public schools, and introduced free antenatal and delivery services. The state has also made significant strides in primary healthcare delivery, earning recognition as the best-performing governor in this area.
Awards and Recognition: Governor Soludo has received several awards, including:
Governor of the Year Award by The Sun Newspaper for his credible leadership and excellent performance in governance.
Best-Performing Governor in Primary Healthcare Delivery by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Federal Ministry of Health, and UNICEF.
Governor of the Year Award by Daily Independent Newspaper for his remarkable efforts in transforming the state’s infrastructure and aesthetics.
So far, Soludo’s performance has been marked by significant progress in infrastructure development, security, economic growth, education, and healthcare. His administration’s commitment to Transparency and accountability has also earned recognition.
Contesting against him is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Anambra State is Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu. He won the APC primary election with a landslide victory, securing 1,455 votes out of 1,630 total votes. His closest rivals were Valentine Ozigbo with 67 votes, Johnbosco Onunkwo with 26 votes, and Edozie Madu with 8 votes.
Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu was born on March 20, 1967, in Dimala Village, Osumenyi, Nnewi South LGA
He is the founder and Chairman of SNECOU Group, a conglomerate with investments in oil and gas, real estate, agriculture, education, and media
He is known for humanitarian works, including establishing scholarship programs, sponsoring medical outreach programs, and donating to educational institutions
He is the Former Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Member of the House of Representatives, and Senatorial candidate in 2019
He focuses on infrastructure development, job creation, education, healthcare improvement, and youth empowerment
Ukachukwu has expressed confidence in his ability to lead Anambra State and bring about positive change, emphasizing his track record of success in business and politics.
Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu’s political strength can be evaluated based on several factors:
Experience: He has a background in Governance, having served as the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and a member of the House of Representatives. This experience has likely honed his administrative skills and ability to navigate complex political landscapes.
Ukachukwu is a successful businessman with investments in various sectors, including oil and gas, real estate, agriculture, education, and media. His business acumen and financial resources could enable him to fund his campaign and support his constituents.
Philanthropy: He is known for his humanitarian works, including establishing scholarship programs, sponsoring medical outreach programs, and donating to educational institutions. This philanthropy has earned him a reputation as a caring and generous leader.
Ukachukwu’s decision to fly the APC flag in Anambra State’s gubernatorial election could leverage the party’s national presence and resources, potentially bolstering his campaign.
His choice of running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, brings Gender balance and regional representation, which could appeal to a broader range of voters.
Ukachukwu has mobilized significant grassroots support, with over 10 support groups across the 21 local government areas in Anambra State. This groundswell of support could translate into votes on election day.
However, Ukachukwu’s success will depend on various key factors, including:
Voter Turnout: The outcome of the election will depend on voter turnout and the ability of his campaign to mobilize supporters.
The effectiveness of his campaign organization and resource mobilization will be crucial in determining the election’s outcome.
The security challenges in Anambra State provide an opportunity for Ukachukwu to critique the current administration’s performance and propose alternative solutions.
Right now, a lot of Anambrans have been talking about Soludo’s deal with Pres. Tinubu. What is Soludos relationship with Pres Tinubu?. President Bola Tinubu has a strong relationship built on a 22-year friendship, shared progressive ideals, and mutual respect. Here are some key aspects of their relationship.
Soludo and Tinubu have known each other for over two decades, with their bond transcending party lines. Despite belonging to different parties, Soludo has expressed unwavering support for Tinubu’s administration.
Both leaders share a commitment to progressivism, federalism, and Nigeria’s prosperity. Soludo has praised Tinubu’s bold economic reforms and structural changes, emphasizing the importance of unity among progressive parties.
Tinubu has described Soludo as a progressive leader, signaling support for his re-election bid. Soludo, in turn, has expressed admiration for Tinubu’s principled stance on federalism and his leadership.
The two leaders have collaborated on various projects, with Tinubu assuring Soludo of his support ahead of the 2027 elections. Soludo has also benefited from federal projects and appointments, including the appointment of Anambra natives to key positions.
Their relationship can be summarized as a strong partnership rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a long-standing friendship. This partnership has yielded benefits for Anambra State, including increased federal support and projects .
