• New INEC chair faces litmus test
Massive security is in place across Anambra State where voters are scheduled to go to the polls today to pick their governor for the next four years.
A mix of anxiety and excitement pervaded the state last night ahead of the election, the first major assignment of Professor Joash Amupitan as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) assumed office 17 days ago.
From the state capital Awka to Onitsha and Nnewi and the quiet rural settlements of Orsumenyi in Nnewi South and Isuofia in Aguata, residents eagerly looked forward to exercising their civic duty.
Yet, some others were wary of the familiar challenges that marred previous elections in the state.
Security agents, including soldiers,policemen and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS),have been deployed to the nooks and corners of the state to ensure that all goes well today and after.
Among those on the ballot paper are the incumbent Professor Chukwuma Soludo who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Dr. George Moghalu of Labour Party (LP); Sir Paul Chukwuma, of Young Progressives Party (YPP); and Mr. John Chuma Nwosu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
There is also Chioma Ifemeludike, the only female contender of African Action Congress (AAC). Young, outspoken, and energetic, she’s made her mark through grassroots engagement and creative campaign messaging—even if the odds are stacked heavily against her.
Ifemeludike is a Nollywood actress. She may not be one of the leading candidates, but the recent events, especially the sympathy of Omoyele Sowore, the Chairman of ACC, for the plight of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has endeared her to some voters.
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“In AAC, we believe in women’s leadership. God and my ancestors will bear me witness that I am willing to give my all to win this election, unless society says otherwise,” she said.
Two million,eight hundred and two thousand,seven hundred and nine (2,802,790)people are eligible to vote today at the 5,718 polling booths across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Some voters who spoke to The Nation expressed optimism that the election would produce a leader capable of tackling the state’s recurring issues, such as rising insecurity, youth unemployment, poor infrastructure, and economic stagnation.
But , concerns linger about logistics, voter intimidation, and transparency of the process.
A trader at Eke Awka Market, 45-year-old Mrs. Oluchi Muonago, said she had already arranged to travel to her hometown to vote. “I don’t want to sit and complain later,” she said. “We need a governor who will fix our roads, make our markets safe, and create opportunities for our children.”
In Nnewi, a city renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit, Uchechukwu Eze, a young manufacturer, shared similar sentiments. “Anambra has everything it takes to be great,” he said. “We just need a government that understands the economy, supports businesses, and protects investors.”
The public holiday declared by the state government yesterday appeared to have boosted voters’ preparedness. From Thursday afternoon, motor parks in Awka, Onitsha, and Ekwulobia were crowded with commuters heading to their hometowns. Transport operators reported increased patronage as residents sought to arrive early ahead of today’s polls.
However, some residents feared disruptions of the process by non-state actors.
A civil servant in Umunze, Orumba South LGA, who asked not to be named, said: “People want to vote, but the fear is real. We only hope security forces will be firm and neutral so our votes can count.”
INEC reassures voters on transparency
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sought to allay fears of any lapses, insisting that it was fully prepared to deliver a credible election.
The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, said all sensitive and non-sensitive materials had been dispatched to all the local government areas, while ad-hoc staff were given comprehensive training.
She added that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had been tested and confirmed reliable. “We are fully prepared,” Agwu said. “Our goal is to ensure that every vote counts and that the process remains transparent and credible.”
Earlier in the week, during an inspection visit to the commission’s headquarters in Awka, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan reiterated the Commission’s commitment to transparency. “Our responsibility is to the people of this nation. We are ready to deliver an election that is fair, credible, and reflective of the people’s will,” he said.
Amupitan urged political actors to refrain from attempts to discredit the process, stressing that INEC remained “focused and undeterred in carrying out its constitutional duty.”
Massive security deployment
Security agencies have also intensified preparations, deploying thousands of personnel to guarantee peace across the state.
The Nigeria Police Force announced that Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Benjamin Okolo has assumed duty as the supervisory officer over all police personnel deployed for the governorship election.
Okolo, alongside DIG Yakubu Kwazhi, represented the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at the signing of the peace accord by political parties and other stakeholders earlier in the week.
According to SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesman of the Anambra State Police Command, the deployment “forms part of the strategic measures approved by the Inspector General to ensure a peaceful, credible, and professionally managed election.”
“The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the electoral process, protecting citizens’ rights, and ensuring that all political actors conduct themselves in accordance with the law,” the statement read.
Those assisting Okolo in coordinating security operations include AIG Akoh Gabriel, CP Abayomi Shogunle, Commissioners of Police posted to the 21 LGAs, and other senior officers.
CP Shogunle, the police commissioner in charge of the election, disclosed that the number of security personnel deployed had been increased from 45,000 to 55,000, covering all parts of the state.
“The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure safety and effective coverage at every polling unit,” Shogunle said. “We want to guarantee that voters can come out and cast their ballots without fear.”
He listed the deployed personnel as including officers from the Police, DSS, Immigration Service, NDLEA, and other security agencies, with at least three officers assigned to each polling unit. “Our collective aim is to ensure that this election is free, fair, and devoid of intimidation,” he said.
The Air wing of the Police also took to the air yesterday on aerial surveillance.
Civil society calls for voter participation
The Executive Director of Youth Engagement, Democracy, Human Rights, Elections and Advocacy (Yiaga Africa) Samson Itodo, raised concerns over insecurity in the state.
Itodo, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said insecurity remained a major challenge, particularly in riverine and high-risk areas.
“The second biggest issue [ahead of the election] relates to insecurity in some hot spots and riverine areas. If security agencies don’t provide protection for INEC officials and materials, deployment will be difficult,” he said on Thursday.
The YIAGA chief urged security operatives to collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the exercise.
“We hope the security agencies cooperate with INEC and provide the necessary security. So far, everything seems peaceful, and the state is primed for voting,” he added.
Similarly, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) urged eligible voters to come out en masse without fear of intimidation.
In a statement, its Board Chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, appealed to over 2.5 million Permanent Voter Card (PVC) holders in the state to resist fear-mongering tactics and “take ownership of their democracy.”
The Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD) and the Centre for Transparency and Advocacy (CTA) said at separate news conferences in Awka that weak oversight of vigilante groups and the long-standing violent environment contribute to a low risk of voter turnout.
They asked security agencies to act professionally and protect voters without bias.
Chairman of The Election Analysis Centre at CDD, Professor Victor Adetula expressed concern about possible low turnout of voters during the election, saying the political parties have not demonstrated enough capacity
He said “A major concern in the Anambra governorship election is that the political parties have not demonstrated the capacity to mobilise and sensitise voters. The internal crisis within Nigeria’s major political parties at the moment has weakened electoral competitiveness in the Anambra governorship election.
“Security threats remain a major concern in Ihiala, Nnewi South, Orumba South, and border communities such as Lilu, Azia, and Amorka. Weak oversight of vigilante groups and the long-standing violent environment contributes to a low risk of voter turnout. Security agencies must act professionally and protect voters without bias.
The Centre for Transparency Advocacy said that although there may not have been security infractions associated with campaigns in the last three months, there are security scars around some flash points, like Orumba South, Ihiala, Ogbaru etc.
Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi called for better synergy between security agencies across board to ensure safety of citizens, INEC personnel and materials before, during and after the elections.
She warned against vote buying and inducement during the election saying “it has become imperative to say no to money politics, all forms of inducement and money laundering associated with our politics and elections. Citizens’ choices must never be subverted by the negative use of money to influence votes including the criminal purchases of PVCs by politicians.
For Soludo, today’s election is a referendum on his first term. The former Central Bank Governor came into office with big ideas and promised to transform Anambra into a “smart megacity.”
Supporters credit him with road projects, urban renewal initiatives, and some fiscal discipline in governance. Yet critics say the progress has been slow, and insecurity has overshadowed his achievements.
Killings, kidnappings, and armed robberies have plagued several parts of the state in recent years. For many residents, those grim headlines weigh heavier than Soludo’s infrastructure scorecard.
“People are tired of living in fear,” said a trader in Onitsha. “What we want now is peace and stability, not promises.”
The opposition’s fire
Opposition candidates smell an opportunity. They accuse Soludo of failing to deliver on his campaign promises and of introducing harsh tax policies that have crippled small businesses and artisans.
Markets, motor parks, and street traders have become the rallying points for the anti-APGA message. “The petty traders are crying, the students are crying, the workers are crying,” said one supporter of the LP. “We need a government that listens.”
The APC’s Prince Ukachukwu is banking on “federal might”—the advantage of being a member of the ruling party at the national level. Ukachukwu, a seasoned businessman and politician, insists Anambra deserves “to be aligned with the centre.”
However, Soludo has dismissed such talk. “We are progressives working for the same national goals,” he said during his final campaign rally, waving off suggestions that the APC influence could tip the scale.
Obi factor and the church vote
The LP’s Moghalu is counting on the political goodwill of Mr. Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate and a former governor of the state. Obi remains a towering figure in Anambra politics, and his support could be decisive in key areas such as Awka, Nnewi, and Onitsha.
Moghalu’s campaign slogan—“Restoring the People’s Mandate”—leans heavily on the idea of continuity with Obi’s legacy of prudence and people-centered governance.
Meanwhile, the YPP’s Chukwuma is banking on the moral and social influence of the Catholic Church, which commands deep respect in Anambra. Chukwuma’s campaign has portrayed him as a disciplined and values-driven alternative to the “career politicians” dominating the race.
Nwosu of the ADC, though less visible nationally, has maintained a steady grassroots drive, focusing on education and youth empowerment.
Campaigns, jabs, and jitters
The campaign season has been lively and largely peaceful, though not without sharp exchanges. The fiercest back-and-forth came from the APGA and the APC camps, with each side trading accusations of corruption, poor governance, and incompetence.
Beyond the political noise, turnout is the big unknown. Voter apathy has dogged recent elections in the Southeast, often linked to insecurity and disillusionment with government. Yet INEC says it is ready, assuring that sensitive materials have been distributed across the 21 local government areas and that security has been reinforced.
Continuity or change?
For APGA, the message is simple: “You don’t change a winning team.” The party believes its record and grassroots structure will deliver once more.
For the opposition, it’s about breaking a 19-year streak and giving Anambra a fresh start. “APGA has had its time,” says an APC supporter in Ihiala. “We need a new vision.”
In the end, it all comes down to the voters—the artisans in Onitsha, the farmers in Ayamelum, the traders in Ekwulobia, the students in Awka. Their collective voice will determine whether Soludo continues or steps aside.
Election eve in Awka was calm but charged with anticipation. Billboards beam with smiling faces and bold slogans. Party agents make their final rounds. In the markets and beer parlours, arguments stretch late into the night. Everyone has a prediction—but no one is certain.
Today, Anambra will speak. And by the time the results are in, one question will be answered: Who does the cap fit this time—Soludo, Ukachukwu, Chukwuma, Moghalu, or Nwosu?
Police announce restriction of movement
The State Police Command yesterday announced a total restriction of vehicular movement within and outside the state during today’s election.
The restriction took effect from 12:00 a.m. and will end at 6:00 p.m. today.
Affected are all roads across the state, including interstate highways.
Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said the restriction aligns with the unanimous decision reached at a meeting of Security Service Commanders held on November 5, 2025, at the Police State Headquarters in Awka.
“The decision is aimed at preventing the movement of political thugs and other criminal elements who may attempt to disrupt the electoral process,” Ikenga said.
