Akwa, Anambra State, Nigeria – Professor Charles Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria, has officially begun his second term in office. He was sworn in during an inauguration ceremony held at the newly renovated Alex Ekwueme Square in the state capital of Akwa on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, West African Time (WAT, GMT+1).
Soludo took the oath alongside his deputy, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, in a ceremony attended by prominent national and international figures. Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku were among the dignitaries present. Governors from other states, including Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, also attended the event.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had previously declared Soludo the winner of the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State. He polled a total of 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress, who received 99,445 votes. Sir Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party came third with 37,753 votes.
In total, 16 candidates from various political parties contested the election. Out of 2,788,864 registered voters in Anambra State, 598,229 were accredited to vote, and 595,298 votes were cast. The election saw 11,244 votes rejected across the state’s 21 local government areas. Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in all 21 local government areas, marking a decisive landslide victory.
Okay News reports that the inauguration at Alex Ekwueme Square highlighted the importance of democratic continuity in Anambra State and provided an opportunity for national and regional leaders to show their support for the state government’s ongoing initiatives.
