Ogona Anita
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim, have been sworn in for a second term in office.
The ceremony took place on Tuesday at the newly renovated Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.
Several prominent figures attended the inauguration, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.
Both the governor and his deputy were accompanied by their wives and family members during the ceremony.
The inauguration events began on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with an interdenominational service at the International Convention Centre. The service marked the conclusion of Soludo’s first term and included prayers for a successful second tenure.
Meanwhile, three security operatives collapsed during the inauguration ceremony.
The incident occurred during the ceremonial parade, causing concern among attendees as the officers fell at different points of the event.
The affected personnel included a male police operative, a male officer of the Directorate of State Services (DSS), and a female operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Eyewitnesses said the police operative was the first to collapse. He was quickly attended to by emergency responders, revived, but remained unstable. He was subsequently transported by ambulance to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Amaku, Awka for further treatment.
The NSCDC operative reportedly slumped towards the end of the ceremony. She initially declined the use of a stretcher but was later assisted into an ambulance.
The DSS operative also collapsed during the parade, further heightening tension at the venue.
Sources attributed the incidents to fatigue and prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions, as the operatives had stood for extended periods under the intense sun while participating in the parade.
