Anambra Poll: PDP’s Ezenwafor congratulates Soludo, calls for inclusive governance
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2025 Anambra governorship election, Jude Ezenwafor, has congratulated Governor Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election and expressed willingness to collaborate with him for the state’s development.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Ezenwafor described Soludo as a long-time ally, noting that he played a role in bringing the former Central Bank Governor into Anambra politics.
“I can assist him; I have always assisted him. Soludo is my friend and I encouraged him to contest when I served as Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano,” he said.
Ezenwafor lauded the incumbent for his handling of security issues in the state, urging him to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and ensure inclusivity in governance.
“Soludo and his team are working. We have competent security chiefs in Anambra, but they need better equipment.
”I’ve congratulated him already, but if he doesn’t perform well, I’ll speak up,” he added.
He encouraged the governor to “run an inclusive government so that Anambra will remain safe and prosperous.”
Reacting to reports of vote-buying during the election, Ezenwafor dismissed the claims as exaggerated, alleging that several parties were involved in the malpractice.
“Almost five political parties engaged in vote-buying. If you remove those five, you will find me. I didn’t buy votes,” he said, adding that some PDP agents were allegedly compromised.
“Anambra people have spoken. We’ll allow Soludo to complete his four years.”
The PDP candidate, who finished sixth with 1,401 votes, rejected suggestions that he was a figurehead in the race.
He attributed his poor performance to an alleged assassination attempt that left him hospitalised for months.
“Nobody spends over N80 million to secure a party ticket just to act as a placeholder. I had genuine intentions to contest.
”I even suspect the people who attacked me were politically motivated,” he said.
Ezenwafor said his campaign drew support from his “Organic Millionaires Club,” a network of supporters who had pledged votes before the attack disrupted his efforts.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Governor Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winner of the November 8 election, securing 422,664 votes.
His closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, polled 99,445 votes, while Paul Chukwuma of the YPP followed with 37,753 votes.
Labour Party’s George Moghalu scored 10,576 votes, ADC’s John Nwosu got 8,208, and Ezenwafor of the PDP finished with 1,401.
Out of 2,788,864 registered voters, 598,229 were accredited. INEC recorded 584,054 valid votes and 11,244 rejected ballots.
While the election was largely peaceful, it was overshadowed by allegations of vote-buying and voter apathy.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the alleged malpractice.
However, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Queen Agwu, said the commission had received no concrete evidence to substantiate the claims.
Governor Soludo and his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim, are expected to receive their certificates of return in the coming days, extending Soludo’s tenure for another four years.
