Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, and his Deputy Governor Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, begin their second- term on Tuesday 17 March 2026.

The governor and his deputy marked the end of their first tenure on Sunday with an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the International Convention Centre.

Today’s inauguration ceremony was held at the newly renovated Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.

They took the oath of office alongside his deputy at about 11:05 am.

The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, administered the oaths of office and allegiance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the duo.

Both the governor and his deputy were accompanied by their wives and members of their families.The programme began on

Governor Soludo was re-elected on November 8, 2025, on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which has mobilised members from all 326 political wards to attend the inauguration.

Already, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan have arrived in Anambra State for the ceremony.

Several high-profile personalities, including elder statesmen such as former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, were also expected to attend including traditional rulers from the 179 communities in the state, as well as monarchs from other parts of Nigeria, are in attendance.

Security has been tightened across the state, with personnel from the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, and other agencies deployed to strategic locations.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reacted to the judgement of a Federal High Court barring him from re-contesting governorship election in 2028.

” I had never declared interest in contesting another governorship election in 2028,” Aiyedatiwa said in a live interview on Channels Television.

” The public had been misled by various narratives circulating on social media., I had not at any time indicated an intention to run in another election,” he said.

According to him, there is currently no timetable for any governorship election in the state, and he has taken no step suggesting such an ambition.

“I would like to start with just clarifying a bit of sanity as regards to this matter. Let me establish some truth so that the general public can have a better understanding of what has been and what is now.

A lot has been said on social media and there are a lot of misconceptions and opinions trying to distort the truth.

But the truth is that I have never at any time declared to anybody that I am going to contest an election. I have said this about a year ago. It is not time for any governorship election in this state.

“There is no timetable. There is no sign of any election and I have not expressed interest at any time that I am going to run for the office of the governor again because it is not yet time,” he said.

Governor Aiyedatiwa maintained that the legal battle would not distract him from focusing on governance and delivering on the promises he made to the people of Ondo State.“I don’t feel any form of distraction. I feel good and I will continue doing my work for the good people of Ondo State. I want to fulfil the promises that I made during my campaign and ensure that I deliver,” he said.

• Lucky Aiyedatiwa

AHEAD of the 2028 governorship election in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been barred from re-contesting the seat.

Justice Adegoke of a Federal High Court sitting in Akure, delivered the judgement on Thursday, ruling that it would violate the constitutional limit of eight years in office if he re-contests in the election.

The court ruled that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not permit a president or governor to remain in office for more than eight years, relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in Marwa v. Nyako to support its position.

Aiyedatiwa first assumed office on 27 December 2023 following the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and was later sworn in again on 24 February 2025 after he won the 16 November 2024 governorship election.

But ahead of the 2028 governorship election in the state, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Akin Egbuwalo, through his counsel, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), dragged the governor to court, seeking interpretation of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution as it relates to Aiyedatiwa’s tenure.

The section, along with Section 182(3), provides that a person sworn in to complete the term of another elected official can only contest and serve one additional term.

Egbuwalo argued that since Aiyedatiwa had taken two oaths of office—first as successor to the late Governor Akeredolu and later as an elected governor—the Constitution limits him to only one additional term.

The court concluded that allowing Aiyedatiwa to contest again and potentially serve another four years would contradict the Supreme Court’s position that no president or governor can remain in office for more than eight years.