BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM, AWKA – The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has taken an unassailable lead in the Anambra State governorship election as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commenced announcement of results from the various local government areas of the state after Saturday’s election.
With the electoral Commission collating and declaring results that have trickled in from 11 local government areas so far, Prof Soludo has won 10, while the candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Senator Ifeanyi Ubah took the remaining one.
Among the local government areas captured by the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor are Dunukofia, Awka South, Oyi, and Ayamelum. Others are Anaocha, Anambra East, Njikoka, Idemili South, and Onitsha South.
The YPP flagbearer, Ifeanyi Ubah however held sway in his hometown local government area of Nnewi North.
Interestingly, highlights of the upsets recorded in the election include the former governor of the state and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Vice Presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, Mr Peter Obi who surprisingly lost to APGA in his Anaocha local government.
Also, the chairman of PDP’s Campaign Council, Senator Uche Ekwunife was roundly beaten in her Anaocha local government by the ruling party in the State, APGA.
Another casualty is the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was defeated in his Idemili South local government to APGA.
Not faring any better is the State Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke who defected to APC before the election. Okeke also failed to capture his Njikoka local government area for his new party as APGA ran riot to carry the day.
Before the INEC team went on a break to continue the results’ declaration later, Prof Soludo had extended his winning streak, amassing more votes, especially in Agwuata and Orumba North local government areas.
Of interest is that in Aguata Local Government Area, home local government of the three top candidates, Prof Soludo easily dusted APC’s Andy Uba and PDP’s Valentine Ozigbo at the polls to claim victory.
Anambra State consists of twenty-one (21) Local Government Areas. They are: Aguata, Awka North, Awka South, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Ayamelum, Dunukofia
Ekwusigo, Idemili North, and Idemili South.
Others include: Ihiala, Njikoka, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Orumba North, Orumba South, and Oyi
