In the early hours of Sunday, jubilation erupted at the country home of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, immediately after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the 2025 gubernatorial election. Policemen attached to the governor were captured firing multiple gunshots into the air in apparent celebration of Soludo’s decisive victory.
According to INEC’s official results, Soludo, running under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), secured a commanding lead with 422,664 votes, triumphing over his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes. Soludo won in all 21 local government areas of the state, a feat described by political analysts as one of the most overwhelming mandates in recent Anambra political history.
Videos circulated on social media showed security operatives jubilantly discharging firearms inside the premises of Soludo’s residence moments after the Returning Officer, Professor Omoregie Edoba of the University of Benin, officially declared Soludo the winner. The shots, reportedly fired by policemen assigned to protect the governor, sparked mixed reactions from residents and online observers, with some describing the incident as jubilant celebrations while others viewed it as a display causing tension.
As of the time of this report, the Anambra State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement regarding the gunfire incident at the governor’s country home.
The atmosphere in the state was one of mixed emotions: on one hand, the victory celebrations highlighted the widespread support for Soludo, who dominated the electoral contest, while on the other, the gunshots fired by the police drew attention and concern over the appropriate conduct of security forces during tense electoral moments.
Governor Soludo’s win was confirmed by INEC with the Returning Officer stating: “Charles Soludo has been duly elected as the governor of Anambra State for the next term, having secured a landslide victory in all the 21 Local Government Areas.”
This election was closely monitored nationwide, and analysts noted the smooth conduct and transparency upheld by INEC during the exercise. Despite isolated reports of violence in other parts of Anambra State, including allegations of thuggery and intimidation raised by Soludo during a prior senator by-election, the overall electoral process in this governorship poll was praised for its fairness.
Following the announcement, social media was inundated with reactions ranging from congratulatory messages to concerns about the police firing. Some residents of Isuofia expressed delight, interpreting the shots as celebratory gunfire customary in some Nigerian communities following significant victories.Political observers have described Soludo’s overwhelming victory and the peaceful acceptance of results as a positive development for democratic consolidation in Anambra State.
The police gunfire incident remains under scrutiny, and the security agencies have been urged by civil society groups to clarify the circumstances, ensuring that such displays do not escalate tensions or undermine the rule of law.
