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Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, was on Sunday declared the winner of the November 8 governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the 65-year-old professor and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won after polling 422,664 votes.

Soludo’s closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), garnered 99,445 votes.

According to INEC, Soludo won in all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state in the election on Saturday, November 8.

Similarly, Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) came third with 37,753 votes, while John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 8,208 votes.

READ ALSO: Moment Policemen Fired Gunshots After INEC Declared Soludo Winner Of Anambra Election

George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP) and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 10,576 votes and 1,401 votes, respectively.

The electoral umpire said that out of a total number of 2,788,864 registered voters, 598,229 were accredited for the election.

It also said that of the total number of 595,298 votes cast in the election, 584,054 were valid while 11,244 were rejected.

According to the results released by INEC, Soludo won in Anaocha, where the 2023 presidential candidate of the LP, Peter Obi hails from, by securing 20,118 votes, while the LP got 483 votes.

The governor, who hails from Aguata LGA, garnered 35,559 votes in the area.

In Nnewi South, the LGA of the APC candidate, Soludo got 17,286 votes, while the Ukachukwu got 9,281 votes.

His highest number of votes came from Aguata — 35,559 — where he hails from,  and the lowest in Anambra West — 9,318.

Find below the official results released by INEC across the LGAs:

Ihiala 

Registered voters: 156,715

Accredited voters: 32,369

20 Wards

A – 7

AA – 22

AAC- 7

ADC- 135

APC- 4,425

APGA- 23,557

APM- 33

APP- 9

BP- 4

LP- 81

NNPP- 4

NRM – 0

PDP- 69

SDP- 81

YPP- 3,069

ZLP- 26

Total valid votes: 31,529

Rejected votes: 840

Votes cast: 32,369

No incident of cancellation in the local government

Anambra West

Registered voters: 71,365

Accredited voters: 16,595

A- 7

AA- 3

AAC- 12

ADC- 152

APC- 3,428

APGA- 9,318

APM- 43

APP- 2

BP- 4

LP- 58

NNPP- 2

NRM – 0

PDP- 102

SDP- 8

YPP- 2,871

ZLP- 31

Total valid votes: 16,041

Rejected votes: 286

Total Votes cast: 16,327

The result for two polling units were cancelled for over voting.

Awka South

Registered voters: 216,611

Accredited: 38,374

A – 38

AA – 836

AAC – 37

ADC – 1,726

APC – 5,038

APGA – 27,896

APM-120

APP – 9

BP – 5

LP – 520

NNPP – 4

NRM – 0

PDP – 63

SDP-4

YPP – 1,201

ZLP – 21

Total valid votes: 37,518

Votes cast: 38,302

Idemili South

Registered Voters: 124,237

Accredited: 25,141

A- 2

AA- 3

AAC- 11

ADC- 213

APC- 6015

APGA- 17,224

APM- 138

APP- 2

BP- 5

LP- 276

NNPP- 6

NRM- 1

PDP- 40

SDP- 4

YPP- 476

ZLP- 15

Valid votes: 24,431

Total votes cast: 24,895

Nnewi South 

Registered voters: 102,907

Accredited: 27,937

A- 6

AA- 6

AAC- 10

ADC- 127

APC- 9281

APGA- 17,286

APM- 23

APP- 1

BP- 2

LP- 73

NNPP- 2

NRM- 2

PDP- 12

SDP- 3

YPP- 567

ZLP- 4

Total valid votes: 27,400

Total vote cast: 27,932

Ekwusigo 

Registered voters: 88,828

Accredited voters: 24,020

A- 4

AA- 8

AAC- 6

ADC- 261

APC- 2973

APGA- 18,749

APM- 0

APP- 20

BP- 5

LP- 194

NNPP- 420

NRM- 2

PDP- 70

SDP- 5

YPP- 915

ZLP – 10

Valid votes: 23,642

Total votes: 24,020

Idemili North 

Registered voters: 246,412

Accredited: 36,048

A – 26

AA – 79

AAC – 47

ADC – 722

APC  – 638

APGA – 25,498

APM – 105

APP – 7

BP – 25

LP – 1275

NNPP – 8

NRM – 5

PDP – 125

SDP – 8

YPP – 613

ZLP – 35

Valid votes: 34,961

Votes cast: 35,665

Anaocha 

Registered voters: 12,4061

Accredited voters: 28,758

A – 15

AA – 14

AAC -1 2

ADC – 255

APC – 5,956

APGA – 20,118

APM – 31

APP – 2

BP – 3

LP – 483

NNPP – 4

NRM – 4

PDP – 42

SDP – 4

YPP – 1,223

ZLP – 23

Valid votes: 28,189

Total votes cast: 28,758

Onitsha South

Registered voters: 167,078

Accredited voters: 22,936

A – 14

AA – 4

AAC – 13

ADC – 231

APC – 4156

APGA – 15,742

APM – 24

APP  -2

BP – 12

LP – 615

NNPP – 3

NRM – 0

PDP – 73

SDP – 6

YPP – 638

ZLP – 12

Valid votes: 21,546

Total votes: 21,908

Onitsha North 

Registered voters: 183,656

Accredited voters: 33,582

A – 4

AA – 39

AAC – 23

ADC – 514

APC – 4,677

APGA – 24,225

APM – 28

APP – 5

BP – 14

LP – 500

NNPP – 6

NRM – 3

PDP – 111

SDP – 8

YPP – 2,419

ZLP – 25

Valid votes: 32,601

Total vote cast: 33,439

Ogbaru

Registered voters: 188,016

Accredited voters: 30,625

A – 11

AA – 14

AAC – 16

ADC – 465

APC – 3,768

APGA – 22,803

APM – 44

APP – 6

BP – 2

LP – 347

NNPP – 10

NRM – 3

PDP – 30

SDP – 7

YPP – 2268

ZLP – 27

Valid votes: 29,821

Total vote cast: 30,585

Nnewi North 

Registered voters: 166,291

Accredited voters: 29,323

A – 14

AA – 2

AAC – 10

ADC – 553

APC – 541

APGA – 20,320

APM – 36

APP – 3

BP-7

LP-1,140

NNPP-21

NRM-5

PDP-45

SDP-3

YPP-1,100

ZLP-15

Valid votes cast-28,715

Total votes  cast -29,284

Anyamelum 

Registered voters -96,433

Accredited voters -24,544

A-4

AA-1

AAC -9

ADC-470

APC-7,478

APGA-13,340

APM-15

APP-2

BP-3

LP – 117

NNPP – 3

NRM – 2

PDP – 13

SDP – 9

YPP – 2,500

ZLP -25

Valid votes cast – 23,991

Total votes cast – 24,255

Anambra East 

Registered voters 108,643

Accredited 25,431

A-10

AA-13

AAC-12

ADC-157

APC-3,108

APGA-14,665

APM-44

APP-7

BP-10

LP-304

NNPP-4

NRM-0

PDP-207

SDP-24

YPP-6,153

ZLP-47

Valid votes 24,665

Votes cast 25,343

Oyi 

Registered Voters -114,439

Accredited voters -30,855

A-6

AA-3

AAC-13

ADC-167

APC-5118

APGA-18,882

APM-27

APP-3

BP-12

LP-3,641

NNPP-9

NRM-2

PDP-16

SDP-4

YPP-2,093

ZLP-54

Valid votes: 30,050

Total vote cast: 30,836

Orumba North 

Registered voters: 102,817

Accredited voters: 29,565

A-4

AA-26

AAC-7

ADC-115

APC-2,615

APGA-24,664

APM – 16

APP – 2

BP – 0

LP – 131

NNPP – 2

NRM – 0

PDP – 17

SDP- 6

YPP-1519

ZLP – 11

Valid votes – 29,135

Total Votes cast – 29,506

Orumba South 

Registered Voters: 88,701

Accredited voters: 24,274

A-6

AA-5

AAC-9

ADC-361

APC-2828

APGA-19,818

APM-20

APP-2

BP-2

LP-16

NNPP-1

NRM-0

PDP-18

SDP-34

YPP-877

ZLP-4

Total Valid votes: 24,001

Total votes cast: 24,262

Aguata 

Registered voters: 154,687

Accredited voters: 43,714

A-22

AA-16

AAC-10

ADC-301

APC-4,125

APGA-35,559

APM-41

APP-4

BP-5

LP-124

NNPP-5

NRM-2

PDP-82

SDP-4

YPP-2,746

ZLP-22

Total Valid votes: 43,068

Total Votes cast: 43,688

Awka North

Registered: 84,105

Accredited: 21,783

A-11

AA-24

AAC-9

ADC-815

APC-3,661

APGA-15,895

APM-37

APP-3

BP-1

LP-299

NNPP-7

NRM-1

PDP-203

SDP-4

YPP-308

ZLP-13

Total valid votes cast: 21,291

Total Votes cast: 21,752

Njikoka

119,605: Registered

30,907: Accredited

ADC – 236

APC – 5,687

APGA – 22,213

LP – 311

PDP – 47

Dunukofia

Accredited voters: 21,438

AAC -7

ADC – 232

APC – 3,284

APGA – 14,892

LP – 71

PDP -16

Valid votes: 21,102

The Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Sama’ila Bagudo, who was kidnapped on October 31, 2025, has regained his freedom.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed this on Sunday.

In a statement, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, said the deputy speaker has been reunited with his family after receiving medical treatment.

The Command’s spokesman commended the courage, resilience, and bravery of the combined team of security personnel deployed for the search and rescue operation.

He also appreciated the good people of Kebbi State for providing vital and accurate information that contributed to the safe return of the lawmaker.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Abduct Kebbi Deputy Speaker Bagudo

“Consequently, the State Command reiterates its sustained onslaught against banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across the state. It urges residents to remain calm, vigilant, and to report any suspicious movement to the nearest police station or other security agencies for prompt response,” the statement read.

Bagudo was kidnapped from his hometown in Bagudo Local Government Area on Thursday, October 31, shortly after observing his evening prayers and leaving the mosque for his residence.

The gunmen reportedly stormed the town, seized the 60-year-old lawmaker, and took him to an unknown location, sparking tension among residents.

The incumbent Governor of Anambra State and Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has hinted at an alleged plan to rig the ongoing gubernatorial election in the state.

He alleged while casting his vote on Saturday at Polling Unit 002, Umuezeadigo Street in Isuofia, Aguata LGA.

Although the APGA candidate did not mention the name of the party involved, the APGA candidate said the plotters plan to “swap election results”.

“The only thing we hear that is actually a concern, and we hope won’t happen, is that one party (he laughs) has written results to swap during the collation process.

“We hear they have even had meetings with INEC not to upload the results so that they can have the opportunity to manipulate the results.”

He, however, said he was confident in the electoral system to deliver a free and fair election process.

“But we have confidence that the system will sort it all out.

“Our people are vigilant, organised and united. We will follow the process from the polling unit to collation at the ward, and from the ward to local governments and to the state.

“Once the system works, we do not doubt that we are gonna win the 21 local governments”, he said.

READ ALSO: Anambra Poll: APGA Will Win Landslide, Soludo Boasts

The incumbent governor is up against 15 other candidates in the keenly contested poll.

The 16 candidates contesting the election are Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Sir Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); Mr John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Dr George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP); Oti Echezona of Allied People’s Movement (APM); and Chief Jeff Nweke of Action Alliance (AA).

Others are Charles Onyeze of Accord; Geoffrey Onyejegbu of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP); Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Chukwududem Nweke of Action Peoples Party (APP); Jerry Okeke of Boot Party (BP); Martin Ugwoji of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); and Vincent Chukwurah of Social Democratic Party (SDP). The two female candidates are Ms. Chioma Ifemeludike of AAC and Ndidi Olieh of National Rescue Movement (NRM).

There are also six female deputy governorship candidates— Appolonia Ezeadili (Accord), Senator Uche Ekwunife (APC), Ebele Okeke (APP), Happiness Ugboma (BP), Veronica Okaro (LP), and Faith Obi (ZLP).

According to INEC, 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to vote across 5,718 polling units in the state’s 21 local government areas.

Residents of Taraba State in northeast Nigeria are heading to the polls to elect new chairmen to occupy 16 local government seats in the state.

The residents are also voting to elect new councillors to occupy 168 ward executive positions across the state.

Only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed candidates for the local government polls.

Unlike the previous elections, where vehicular movements were restricted, this election witnessed violations of such restrictions, with no security operatives halting vehicular movement.

Markets and other business premises were all open for businesses as usual.

Some residents who spoke to Channel Television revealed that they were not aware of the election, as no awareness or sensitisation was made ahead of the polls.

READ ALSO: Voting Commences In Anambra Governorship Election

The candidate of the PDP, Nura Dantsoho, who spoke to Channels Television shortly after casting his ballot at Sintali ward of Jalingo local government, promised inclusive governance that will ensure residents get dividends of democracy meant for them.

The ongoing 2025 Anambra governorship election has caused traffic disruptions in Onitsha, as trucks and vehicles remain stranded on the cordoned Niger Bridge.

Channels Television correspondent reported that access to the bridge was blocked to restrict movement and ensure the safe transport of election materials and personnel.

Some commercial trucks carrying goods were left idle, creating temporary congestion.

Meanwhile, voting continues across Anambra, with officials deploying to over 5,700 polling units in 21 local government areas. By 8:30 a.m., voting had commenced peacefully in areas including Onitsha’s Fegge Community Primary School.

READ ALSO: INEC Officials Frustrated As BVAS Malfunctions In Onitsha Community

Some residents in Nkwo Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, were seen trading despite the election, though market leaders later ordered shops closed to encourage voter participation.

INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan has urged adherence to the electoral process, noting that “no excuses for failure will be accepted.” Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle reassured residents that security threats have been neutralised across high-risk areas.

Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has distanced herself from a viral social media post falsely attributed to her, which criticised President Bola Tinubu over the way he handles insecurity in Nigeria.

A post via her verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, described the message as fake and malicious, stressing that it did not originate from her.

She cautioned the public against believing or sharing the false information, adding that legal steps were being taken against those behind the impersonation.

“Beware, this story going around on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook is false! We are taking action! The person who did this could not even spell my name,” she wrote.

The clarification comes following a post, titled “Trump didn’t ‘hit’ us – our leaders did,” which claimed that Okonjo-Iweala accused Nigerian leaders of prioritising rhetoric over decisive action against banditry and insurgency.

It also claimed that the former Minister of Finance urged Tinubu to “stop the damage control speeches” and “secure the people.”

Okonjo-Iweala, however, condemned the impersonation. She urged the culprits to take responsibility instead of hiding behind her identity.

“Whichever coward did this should write the message in their own name and not hide behind mine or anyone else’s! Scammers and 419ers, stop!” she added.

READ ALSO: [VIDEO] EFCC Officials Storm Anambra, Vote Buying Reported

Her reaction came amid renewed controversy over comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians were being targeted in Nigeria.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that the United States might “go in guns blazing” if the alleged killings continued.

Reacting to Trump’s genocide claims, Tinubu, in a post on X, emphasised that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that his administration actively engages leaders of all faiths to promote peace and security.

He rejected foreign portrayals of Nigeria as a religiously intolerant nation, describing them as inaccurate and inconsistent with the country’s diversity and unity.

The President said religious tolerance “has been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.”