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Anambra Decides: Soludo Wins 17 LGs Out Of 19 …PDP Wins Ogbaru, YPP Takes Nnewi North …Supplementary Poll Holds In Ihiala, Tuesday
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, announced the receipt of results from 19 local government areas in the state out of 21, with the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo leading the pack with significant margin.
As at the time of this report, the commission said that the remaining two, were being awaited and would be announced as soon as they are received.
The results were announced by the Returning Officers of the 19 respective LGAs.
However, Anambra State Returning Officers for the poll, Prof Florence Obi, announced that supplementary election will hold in Ihiala LGA tomorrow.
Election did not hold in the LGA on Saturday due to security concern.
The local government areas won by Soludo are Dunukofia, Awka South, Oyi, Ayamelum, Anaocha, Anambra East, Idemili North, Anambra West, Idemili South, Awka North, Onitsha South, Ekwusigo, Orunmba South, Nnewi South, Aguata, Onitsha North, and Njikoka.
The local government won by Ubah is his Nnewi North.
There were some upsets in the election.
For instance, the former governor of the state and vice presidential candidate of PDP in the 2019 general election, Mr Peter Obi lost his Anaocha LGA to APGA.
The Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Senator Uche Ekwunife also lost to APGA in her Anaocha LGA.
Similarly, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige of APC lost his Idemili South LGA to APGA, just as the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Nkem Okeke, who defected to APC before the election, lost his Njikoka LGA to APGA.
A breakdown shows that Soludo won in Anambra West LGA with 1,918; to defeat APC’s Senator Andy Ubah who scored 1,233 votes; PDP’s Valentine Ozigbo who garnered 1,401; and YPP’s Senator Ifeanyi Ubah with 357.
In Awka North LGA, Soludo also won others with 1,908 votes against Andy Ubah’s 755; Valentine Ozigbo’s 840; and Ifeanyi Ubah’s 381 votes.
APGA also won in Idemili North LGA with 5,358 votes; followed by PDP which scored 2,312 votes; APC with 2,291; and YPP with 902.
However, the PDP’s Valentine Ozigbo clinched victory in Ogbaru LGA, scoring 3,445 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chukwuma Soludo of APGA who polled 3,051; while APC’s Andy Ubah garnered 1,178 votes to come a distant third, with Ifeanyi Uban of YPP getting 484.
In Ekwusigo LGA, Soludo polled 2,570 to win; as Ozigbo scored 1,857 votes; APC candidate got 1,237 votes; while YPP candidate took home 727.
Soludo further won in Nnewi South LGA with 3,243 to defeat APC, which scored 1,307 votes; PDP, which got 2,226; and YPP which took 1,327.
The APGA candidate also won in Aguata LGA with 9,136 votes to defeat APC candidate who got 4,773; PDP candidate with 3,798; and YPP candidate that garnered 1,070 votes.
In Onitsha North LGA, APGA also cruised to victory with 5,587 votes to beat APC 3,909; PDP 3,781; and YPP 682; just as Soludo trounced others in Orunmba South LGA 4,394 votes while his closest rival, Andy Ubah scored 2,060; to leave Ozigbo with 1,672 votes; and Ifeanyi Ubah with 887.
But the YPP candidate, Ifeanyi Ubah got succour in Nnewi North LGA where he won others, clinching 6,485 votes; to Soludo’s 3,369; APC’s 1,278; and PDP’s 1,511.
In Njikoka LGA, Soludo also took home victory for APGA with 8,803 votes; APC 3,216; PDP 3,409; and YPP 924; just as he smiled home with victory in Onitsha South LGA with 4,281 votes; with APC scoring 2,050 votes; PDP 2,253 votes; and YPP 271.
In Idemili South LG, Soludo also repeated his winning streak with 2,312 votes to defeat APC 1,039; PDP 2,016; and YPP 752.
Also in Ayamelum LGA, APGA won the pack with 3,424 votes; followed by PDP which scored 2,804 votes; APC with 2,409 votes; and YPP 407.
In Anambra East LGA, Soludo also won with 9,746 votes; beating APC to 2,034 votes; PDP with 1,380 votes; and YPP 559.
Soludo also won in Anaocha LGA with 6,919 votes; closely followed by PDP with 5,108 votes; then APC with 2,085; and YPP with 868.
In Oyi LGA, Soludo won easily with 6,133 votes; followed by APC with 2,830 votes; PDP with 2,484 votes’ and YPP with 900 votes.
In Awka South LGA, Soludo polled his largest victory with 12,891 votes; with PDP coming a distant second with 5,498 votes; APC third with 2,595 votes; and YPP with 919.
In Dunukofia LGA, APGA scored 4,124 votes to win; while APC got 1,991 votes; PDP 1,680 votes; and YPP 1,360 votes.
In Onitsha South LGA, Soludo won with 4,281 votes; APC got 2,050 votes; PDP scored 2,253 votes; and YPP 271.
Meanwhile, a Supervisory Presiding Officer has reportedly “carted away” 41 results sheets in the Anambra Governorship election.
The Returning Officer in Idemili South Local Government of Area of the state, Dr Gabriel Othong, made this known while presenting results at the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Awka, yesterday.
He said that the whereabouts of the INEC official and result sheets were unknown, adding that 41 of the 42 result sheets for 89 polling units were “carted away”.
Othong, who is from the University of Calabar, Cross River, noted that there was no election in Oba Ward 1, Oba Ward 11, and Akukwu ward all in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra.
The returning officer explained that electoral officials were not deployed in some of the polling units due to cases of gunshots.
He said, “One of the SPOs carted 41 Result Sheets out of the 42 result sheets meant for the 89 polling units in the affected wards.
“Over 40, 000 voters were not able to vote in the affected areas due to the development.”
The agent of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Ebere Obiakor, said election held in those places but the results were not collated.
But the collation agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, countered the position of the APC agent, saying there was no election in any of the affected places.
Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance corroborated Obiogbolu, insisting there was no election in those areas.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.