Soludo

Soludo secures second term as Anambra governor

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Professor Charles Soludo has been re-elected as the Governor of Anambra State after a decisive victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the winner on Sunday.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, announced that Soludo polled 422,664 votes.

The results placed Chief Nichols Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a distant second position with 99,445 votes.

Mr. Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) followed in third place with 37,753 votes.

Notably, the Labour Party, which is associated with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, finished in fourth place.

Its candidate, George Moghalu, received 10,576 votes. John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) trailed with 8,208 votes.

The declaration was made at the INEC state headquarters in Awka, solidifying Soludo’s continuation in office for a second term.

Soludo rejects religious label for southeast violence

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that the rampant violence and killings in Southeastern Nigeria are not religiously motivated, but a conflict between Christians.

Speaking on the security crisis, Soludo emphasized that the perpetrators, who operate from remote camps, bear distinctly Christian names.

“In this part of the world, Eastern Nigeria, it is not religious,” Soludo said. “People are killing themselves, Christians killing Christians. The people in the bushes are Emmanuel, Peter, John, all Christian names, and they have maimed and killed thousands of our youths.”

The Governor’s comments come amidst broader discussions on national security and international partnerships.

He acknowledged the right of countries like the United States to have their views but stressed that any foreign assistance must be at the request of the Nigerian government and within the bounds of international law.

“Certainly, if Nigeria requests any assistance for the military, technology and hardware to deal with insurgency, then it is within Nigeria’s call,” he stated.

While calling for a deeper national conversation and introspection, Soludo expressed confidence in the Federal Government’s efforts, asserting that Nigeria is a large country and the government is “doing a whole lot to safeguard the country.

I do not support Biafra separatist agenda—Soludo

By Sabiu Abdulahi

Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, has restated that he does not believe in the separatist agitation for Biafra, stressing that the Igbo people and Nigeria are interdependent.

Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, Soludo made it clear that while he is proud of his Igbo identity, he does not support the idea of dividing the country.

“For me, I believe very strongly that, of course, the agitation and separatist view in Igboland – for me, as a full-blooded Igbo man, I don’t believe that. But I want us to have a discussion. I am of the view that the Igbo man needs Nigeria; Nigeria needs the Igbo man,” he said.

The governor, who is seeking reelection in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, said he plans to meet with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to discuss a new direction for the South-East after his release.

“When Nnamdi Kanu comes out, we are all going to sit down at a round table and interrogate our alternative vision for Igbo land,” Soludo stated.

He also refrained from condemning the nationwide protest scheduled for October 20, 2025, which is aimed at demanding Kanu’s freedom.

Meanwhile, activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has continued to lead the protests across several states, insisting on the immediate release of the IPOB leader.

Nnamdi Kanu was rearrested in Kenya and has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his return to Nigeria.

Soludo’s latest comments come amid growing political discussions and demonstrations calling for Kanu’s release and a reevaluation of the federal government’s handling of separatist-related issues in the South-East.