Anambra Unveils Soludo’s Second-Term Inauguration Schedule
The Anambra State Government has officially released the programme of events for the second-term swearing-in ceremony of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim.
The announcement, signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, and made available to journalists in Awka on Tuesday, marks the commencement of the administrative transition following the state’s gubernatorial election held in late 2025.
The ceremony is expected to serve as a platform for the administration to outline its policy direction for the next four years.
According to the official timetable, the primary swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.
Supplemental activities scheduled to commemorate the event include an inter-denominational service at the International Convention Center (ICC), Awka, on March 15, 2026.
The festivities will culminate in a formal thanksgiving mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, on March 22, 2026. These events follow a decisive electoral process that saw the incumbent governor secure a significant mandate to continue his “Solution” agenda.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Soludo, contesting under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the winner of the November 8, 2025, governorship election.
The Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edogah Omoregie, made the official declaration at the commission’s headquarters on November 9, 2025. Soludo secured 422,664 votes, comfortably defeating his closest rival, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 99,445 votes.
Other notable participants in the race included Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), who secured 37,753 votes, and the Labour Party’s candidate, George Moghalu, who received 10,576 votes.
John Nwosu, representing the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC), polled 8,208 votes. The wide margin of victory has been interpreted by political observers as a strong public endorsement of Soludo’s first-term performance, particularly his efforts in urban renewal and infrastructure development within the state.
The second term of the Soludo administration begins amid high expectations regarding the state’s economic trajectory.
During his first four years, the Governor emphasized the transformation of Anambra into a “livable and prosperous megacity,” focusing on the industrialization of the Onitsha-Nnewi-Awka axis and the expansion of the state’s internal revenue base.
With the inauguration approaching, residents are looking toward the fulfillment of campaign promises related to the completion of the Anambra Airport City project and the further integration of digital technology into the state’s civil service.
Security also remains a critical component of the upcoming administrative cycle. Anambra, like much of the Southeast region, has faced challenges related to non-state actors and communal disputes.
The state government has indicated that the second term will see a renewed focus on community policing and the strengthening of the Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG).
The seamless execution of the November 2025 election and the subsequent planning of this inauguration are being viewed as indicators of stabilizing regional security.
From a fiscal perspective, the administration is expected to continue its aggressive drive for internally generated revenue (IGR) to reduce reliance on federal allocations.
Governor Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has frequently advocated for a “homegrown” economic model.
The 2026-2030 term will likely see further reforms in the land registry system and the formalization of the state’s vast informal trade sector, which remains the backbone of the local economy.
As Awka prepares for the influx of dignitaries, local businesses, particularly in the hospitality and transport sectors, are anticipating a temporary economic boost.
The state government has assured the public that all necessary logistical and security arrangements have been finalized to ensure a peaceful and orderly series of events.
The inauguration will officially mark the continuation of APGA’s governance in the state, a party that has maintained political control in Anambra for nearly two decades.
The administrative focus following the March swearing-in is expected to shift quickly toward the presentation of the post-election supplementary budget.
This legislative move will be essential for funding the new capital projects outlined in the governor’s second-term manifesto. Stakeholders in the private sector have expressed optimism that the continuity in leadership will provide the stability needed for long-term investment in the state’s manufacturing and agricultural zones.
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