Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has sworn in the newly elected chairmen and their deputies for the state’s 21 local government areas, charging them to prioritise service delivery, accountability and compliance with the law.
The inauguration took place on Saturday at the Government House in Awka, following the local government elections held on August 29, 2026.
The chairmen had earlier received their Certificates of Return from the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) after the commission announced the election results.
Soludo: Your work starts immediately
Addressing the newly inaugurated council officials, Soludo described their election as a call to public service and urged them to take their oaths of office seriously.
“The clock starts ticking today. The work has already begun,” the governor said.
He urged the chairmen to remain accountable to residents and ensure that local government administration responds to the needs of communities.
Soludo also encouraged them to uphold the governing All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)’s stated motto, “Be your brother’s and sister’s keeper,” while ensuring that governance remains inclusive.
Governor urges compliance with laws
Soludo advised the new council administrations to work within established laws, procedures and administrative processes while looking for innovative ways to improve local governance.
He also encouraged the councils to make use of legal provisions that allow local governments to pool resources for common financial obligations.
The governor directed the new chairmen to carefully examine the handover documents from their predecessors, particularly records relating to inherited assets and liabilities.
APGA won all 21 chairmanship seats
The inauguration followed the local government elections in which APGA secured all 21 chairmanship positions, according to results announced by ANSIEC.
The electoral commission reported that APGA was the only party to field candidates in 20 of the 21 local government areas, while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) fielded a chairmanship candidate in Anambra East.
In that contested race, APGA’s Ifeanyi Chinweze was declared winner after polling 50,169 votes against 1,658 votes recorded by the YPP candidate.
The results were formally followed by the issuance of Certificates of Return to the elected chairmen, deputies and councillors in early September.
Attorney-General administers oath
The oath of office was administered by Tochukwu Nweke, SAN, Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
The newly inaugurated chairmen are:
- Aguata: Kingsley Ezeagu
- Anambra East: Ifeanyi Chinweze
- Anambra West: Tony Obierika
- Anaocha: Paulinus Okafor
- Awka North: ThankGod Anago
- Awka South: Chinedu Okafor
- Ayamelum: Mgbechi Igwebuike
- Dunukofia: Clement Ozumba
- Ekwusigo: Ifeanyi Onuchukwu
- Idemili North: Stanley Nkwoka
- Idemili South: Oluchukwu Ilogbenam
- Ihiala: Anayo Orjiakor
- Njikoka: Ikechukwu Okakpu
- Nnewi North: Echezona Anazodo
- Nnewi South: Chinedu Ezeogidi
- Ogbaru: Nnamdi Ifejika
- Onitsha North: Chukwuemelie Ibekwe
- Onitsha South: Okechukwu Mofunanya
- Orumba North: Casmir Nwafor
- Orumba South: Shedrack Azubuike
- Oyi: Igbem Elochukwu
What the new councils are expected to do
The governor’s directives place emphasis on the practical responsibilities of the newly inaugurated councils, particularly: local service delivery,financial accountability, lawful administration, management of inherited assets and liabilities, cooperation between councils, grassroots development.
The new administrations will serve alongside their respective deputies and councillors.
