Soludo Leads With Wide Margin As INEC Uploads 99% of Results

Soludo leads with wide margin as INEC uploads 99% of results.
Election marred by vote-buying, EFCC arrests three suspects.
Councillor shot dead, minor scuffles reported in Ihiala and Orumba South.

The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has taken a commanding lead in the Anambra governorship election, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed the upload of over 99 per cent of results on its Results Viewing Portal (IReV).

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Preliminary figures indicate that Soludo is leading across key local government areas, including his stronghold, Aguata, as well as parts of Anambra Central. The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, trails in second place, while Labour Party’s George Moghalu is third.

INEC records show that Anambra has 2,802,790 registered voters across 21 LGAs and 5,718 polling units. Voter turnout, however, remained low despite reports of early arrival of materials.

At his polling unit in Isuofia, Aguata LGA, Soludo secured 417 votes, defeating Ukachukwu, who got four votes. Ukachukwu, in turn, won his polling unit in Nnewi South, polling 108 votes against APGA’s four. Moghalu lost his unit, polling 22 votes to Soludo’s 57.

Across several LGAs, APGA maintained strong leads. In Ekwusigo LGA, Soludo’s party polled 1,548 votes against APC’s 599 across 17 polling units. Similar trends were recorded in Njikoka, Aguata, Ogbaru, and Anaocha LGAs, where APGA outperformed APC in most wards.

Governor Soludo expressed optimism, saying reports from across the state indicated a smooth and peaceful exercise. “We are confident of winning all 21 LGAs by a landslide,” he said.

However, the election was marred by widespread allegations of vote-buying. Former Anambra governor and Labour Party chieftain, Peter Obi, lamented that democracy was deteriorating, citing reports of voters being offered between N20,000 and N30,000 to sell their votes. The APC and LP candidates also raised similar concerns.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the arrest of three party agents for alleged vote-buying in Njikoka, Oyi, and Dunukofia LGAs.

Tragedy struck in Orumba South LGA when gunmen shot dead a councillor while attempting to vote. Tension also erupted in Ihiala, where policemen reportedly fired teargas at the INEC office, injuring a corps member and an election observer.

Soludo Leads INEC Uploads 99% of Results

Despite isolated incidents, the overall process was largely peaceful. Elderly voters faced biometric challenges, while some youths were seen playing football instead of voting. In Onitsha, traders ignored movement restrictions to open shops, citing economic hardship.