The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra governorship election

  • Anambra governorship election: Fears, expectations as 2.8m voters head to polls

    Anambra governorship election: Fears, expectations as 2.8m voters head to polls

    • 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.

    READ ALSO: ​FULL FACTS: New U.S. bill titled: “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025” by Senator Ted Cruz

     “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.

  • Forum backs Umeoji for Anambra gov poll

    Forum backs Umeoji for Anambra gov poll

    The Anambra Leaders Forum has asked Chukwuma Umeoji to join the Anambra governorship election race next year on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

    The Forum noted that Umeoji’s experience, grassroots popularity, and proven leadership make him the ideal flagbearer to unify the people and secure victory against the incumbent, Governor Charles Soludo.

    The Convener of the forum, Nwafor Peter at a press conference, said the Anambra Leaders Forum was united in its commitment to ensuring Umeoji becomes the APC flagbearer.

    He said the Forum would purchase and bankroll the APC governorship election Nominations and Expression of interest form for Umeoji to show how serious it is.

    “The Anambra Leaders Forum strongly supports his candidacy and will work tirelessly to ensure he emerges victorious as the APC flagbearer. We urge all Anambrarians to join us in this critical mission for the future of our state,” Peter said.

    He added: “Hon. Umeoji’s extensive experience serving the people at different political levels has cemented his reputation as a leader with strong grassroots ties. His ability to engage effectively with the local communities ensures that he understands the pressing needs of Anambrarians. His political success, including his track record of listening to the masses, makes him the candidate who will address real challenges faced by the people.

    “With a distinguished career in the legislature and public service, Umeoji brings vast experience to governance. He is known for his pragmatic approach to policy implementation, which ensures inclusive growth, security, and economic progress. Umeoji’s leadership experience within the National Assembly has positioned him to leverage national resources for state development.

    “The Anambra Leaders Forum stands united in its commitment to ensuring Umeoji becomes the APC flagbearer. As a demonstration of our dedication, we will volunteer to purchase the APC governorship nomination form for Umeoji. This gesture is a testament to our belief in his capacity to lead Anambra into a brighter future. His candidacy represents a fresh start for the state, with leaders and citizens alike eager for genuine progress.”

    Peter said governor Soludo’s alleged failure means the APC would win the state if the party gave the ticket to Umeoji.

    According to him, Umeoji is the right choice to lead Anambra out of stagnation and into a future of growth and prosperity.

    He said: “Governor Soludo’s administration has been marked by economic stagnation and an inability to fulfill key promises. Issues ranging from unemployment to deteriorating infrastructure continue to plague the state. Umeoji presents a much-needed alternative—a leader with practical solutions to create jobs, improve local economies, and enhance security across the state.

    “Governor Soludo’s unpopularity and failure to deliver on key areas have opened a clear path for Hon. Umeoji to gain wide support across party lines. Umeoji’s political influence extends across constituencies, making him capable of garnering widespread votes and unseating the incumbent with ease. His strong affiliation with the APC at the national level will also position Anambra for federal support and partnerships, creating more opportunities for the state’s development.”

    Read Also: Why investors should buy into Zenith Bank’s N290b offers, by Umeoji

    He added: “Anambrarians are yearning for change, and Umeoji offers the leadership that will prioritise their welfare, growth, and security. His candidacy will revitalise hope for better governance, economic progress, and stronger social welfare initiatives. Under his leadership, Anambra will witness transformation in key sectors like education, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial development.

    “Anambra cannot afford another term under a leader disconnected from the needs of the people. Umeoji’s candidacy will galvanize a movement against the status quo, uniting Anambrarians in the pursuit of a prosperous and secure future. The upcoming election represents a critical opportunity to remove Soludo’s failed leadership and elect a leader genuinely committed to the state’s progress.”

  • Five ‘takeaways’ from Anambra governorship election

    Five ‘takeaways’ from Anambra governorship election

    Contrary to expectations, the people of Anambra State trooped out to vote for candidates of their choice during the November 18 governorship poll. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI who monitored the poll writes about some of the highlights of the contest and its import on Anambra politics.

    THE Anambra State governorship election has come and gone, but the echoes generated by the contest in still very much in the air. The fears and anxieties occasioned by the threat of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had been very palpable in major cities like Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia and elsewhere in the state. The group had campaigned vigorously, urging the people of Anambra to boycott the polls.

    The fear of violence and bloodletting was heightened by the presence of policemen, soldiers and other security operatives in virtually all over the state. The state had been invaded by not less than 45,000 security personnel, ranging from the army, police, navy and paramilitary outfits.

    But, contrary to expectation, the electorates trooped out to vote for the candidates of their choice and there was no bloodshed. Nevertheless, the election would be remembered because of the following:

     

    PDP’s Achilles’ heels

    In the view of many observers, one of the major reasons why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the election was because it exhibited impunity during the primary where its flag bearer, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, emerged and this brought a division within the party. Many of the party bigwigs that could have worked to give it victory at the polls secretly engaged in anti-party activities, to register their grievances.

    The PDP came a distant third in the race, with 70,293 votes; behind the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, who won the contest with 234,071 votes and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Dr. Tony Nwoye, who came second with 98,752 votes.

    In his reaction, following the declaration of incumbent Governor Obiano as the winner of the election, a member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Chris Uba, expressed anger over the development, adding that the PDP failed because former Governor Peter Obi influenced the emergence of a ‘foreigner’ as the party’s candidate.

    Uba, the once dreaded ‘godfather’ of Anambra politics said his heart bled because his efforts in the PDP have gone to the drains. He said the party failed because it did not do the right thing and that more calamities await it, if it continues to allow impunity to reign.

    He recalled that the last time the PDP won an election in the state was in 2003, when he influenced the emergence of Dr. Chris Ngige as the governor.

    Uba said it was painful that the party, which was hitherto dreaded in Anambra, was humiliated at the polls. He warned the party to put its house in order before its national convention, scheduled to hold on December 9.

    Similarly, another chieftain of the party, Sen. Stella Oduah, has hailed the victory of the APGA flag bearer, saying it is a victory for the people of Anambra State. She said the victory would help to end the impunity and imposition within the PDP in Anambra.

    Her words: “I want to congratulate everybody that contributed to the smooth conduct of the Anambra election. For the first time, Anambra people spoke against impunity; this victory signifies liberation. For the first time, Anambra people have been politically liberated; the issue of godfatherism has been finally put to death; the issue of imposition by any party or group has also been put to death.

    “This victory is a victory of hope for Anambra people, it is a victory of progress for Anambra people and it is a victory for development. The joy among the people has no bounds; you can feel it and you can hear it. From the onset, I had always said that what we need above every other thing is not about party; it is about who will give us the development that we require. It is about who will restore the hope of security, governance and the hope that Anambra will have a place in Nigeria.”

    Oduah’s comment comes against the background of the fact that Obiano went into the November 18 governorship election without a godfather. As the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and leader of the party, he prosecuted the election like an orphan, whereas Nwoye had the backing of the oil and gas billionaire and the founder of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, Chief Arthur Eze, while Obaze was sponsored by former Governor Peter Obi.

    What next for Obi, with his failure to install Obaze as the next governor? A commentator, Ejimonu Udenka, described Obi’s bid as an inglorious dance into oblivion. He said the former governor had hijacked the party machinery, scared away core-PDP members, foisted his lackey as the party’s flag-bearer and proceeded to use the platform for personal vendetta.

     

    Vote for cash

    There were indications that buying of votes has become a permanent feature of Nigerian elections. Like other elections in recent times, there were widespread reports that voters traded their votes for cash during the Anambra governorship contest, as major political parties tried to outdo each other in their quest for the control of the state, which is the commercial and industrial hub of the Southeast. The parties were giving out between N2,000 and N3,000 to each voter.

    Operatives of the Department of States Services (DSS) had arrested an elderly man with a sack stuffed with money at a polling unit located within the premises of the Community Primary School, Amawbia, in Awka, the state capital. He was accused of trying to induce voters to vote for a particular political party, but he was released hours later after he pleaded that the money was meant for party agents.

    The Executive Director of one of the observer groups that monitored the election, the Independent Service Delivery Group (ISDMG), Dr Chima Amadi, expressed dismay at a press conference in Awka the day after the election that there were widespread reports from field-observers, indicating vote-buying and inducement of voters and security agencies by political parties and their agents during the exercise. His words: “Reports from our observers in the field on the widespread open selling of votes by citizens cast a major slur on the integrity of the votes. The trend of vote-buying which has become a major feature of recent elections, sadly repeated itself in Anambra.”

    Indeed, the candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Osita Chidoka, complained bitterly that he lost in the governorship bid not because of paucity of ideas or lack of “structure”, but because of superior financial firepower. Chidoka also said that the people of Anambra State traded their votes during the election because they “doubted we would truly represent their interest,” even though they aligned with their manifesto.

     

    Low turnout

    Contrary to expectations, the people of Anambra State defied the IPOB order in the 21 local government areas by trooping out to vote for the candidates of their choice. The election was held amidst tight security. But, it conformed to the pattern of Nigerian elections in recent times, in the sense that it was characterized by low turn at the end of the day. Less than a quarter of the total number of registered voters actually participated in the election.

    The Returning Officer, Prof. Zana Akpagu, said a total of 2,064,134 residents registered to vote, but only 457,511 or 22.16 per cent came out on the Election Day to be accredited. At the end of the day, only 21.74 of the registered voters actually cast their votes. For example, in Idemili North Local Government Area, which has the highest number of registered voters, only 25,254 out of the 178,938 registered voters or 14.11 per cent came out for accreditation.

    But the low turnout has nothing to do with the IPOB campaign urging residents to boycott the election. Former National Chairman of APGA and the Director-General of the Willie Obiano Campaign Organisation, Chief Victor Umeh, said governorship elections in Anambra since 1999 have always recorded low turnout.

    His words: “The exception was 2003 when there was a large turnout of voters. In 2010, it was low; Peter Obi won the election with less than 100,000 votes. In 2013, it was also low; Governor Obiano won with a hundred and eighty-something votes. The people of Anambra have great apathy to elections; they would rather stay in their homes and rest.

    An expert, the Director, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Idayat Hassan, agrees. She said the low turnout was not something strange, as it followed the pattern of previous elections in the state. Her words: “There is nothing unusual about it. The low turnout followed a pattern that is known about elections in the state. It raises critical questions on what democracy means to the people in the state and the country at large and how they judge the system.”

    Hassan said some of such critical issues include questions of trust in the government by the people. She added: “There are places where the total number of voters that turned out to vote was 14 per cent of the total number of registered voters, which is quite low. What should be the target is how to get people to turn out and vote. If nothing changes, then it means the country is still faced with lots of challenges going forward.”

     

    INEC’s performance

    The commission was rated high by most of the civil society organizations that monitored the exercise. For instance, the Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG), which deployed 100 observers across the 21 local governments, said materials and personnel were deployed early in most polling units, with the exception of few places. He also acknowledged Smart Card Readers malfunctioned in many polling units, but were promptly rectified by INEC technical team.

    The ISDMG’s Executive Director, Dr Chima Amadi, said: “The practice of simultaneous accreditation and voting contributed immensely in activating voter participation and reduction of tension at voting points. There was improvement in the conduct of personnel — INEC and ad-hoc — which in our view can be attributed to the quality of training, ahead of the Election Day.’’

    Everyone was in agreement that INEC did well. But, it still has a long way to go, as there were numerous incidents of over voting; as the Smart Card Readers reflected smaller figures to what the presiding officers recorded. For instance, The Returning Officer for Ekwusigo Local Government said there were incidences of over-voting in four wards in the council and that 1147 registered voters were affected. In such instances, INEC nullified the results of the affected polling units. As a result, the results of 19 polling units were cancelled in Anambra East Local Government, because of over-voting. There were also reports of harassment of electoral officers during the election in the council, where both Obiano and Nwoye hail from.

    There were also cases of personnel and materials arriving late. For instance, as at 12,53pm, when The Nation left polling unit one, Umuchu Ward 1, located in the town’s civic centre, the polling unit of the Peoples Progressive Alliance candidate, Chief Godwin Ezeemo, INEC officials had not arrived with materials and many of the prospective voters who were waiting to take part in the exercise expressed their disappointment.

    Ezeemo had expressed frustration over the development, saying it was a deliberate attempt to deny him and his supporters the opportunity to exercise their right as Nigerians. He said: “I am not desperate to be governor, but I’m worried about the way we are treating ourselves; I’m worried about this nation. The ruling class wants to impoverish this nation. They are treating our people as if they are idiots. It is a vicious cycle; in my life time I don’t see anything good happening in our country. I will wait until 2pm, if they don’t show up, I will go home.”

     

    New lease of life

    One of the imports of Governor Willie Obiano’s triumph at the polls is that it has given APGA a new lease of life. It may have become the dominant party in Anambra State, because it has governed the state for almost 12 years, but it does not have a foothold elsewhere in the country. When the party was founded the idea was for it to take over the Southeast and gradually make inroads into other regions.

    Today, it is the APC that is slowly gaining acceptance in the region. The philosophy of APGA is such that it would be difficult for it to gain acceptance in other geo-political zones. If APGA had lost the Anambra election, that would have meant the end of the party as a viable political platform. With the landslide victory, it now has a fresh opportunity to reinvent itself to become more relevant in the region and beyond.

     

  • Confusion trails results in Umeh’s Aguluzoigbo community 

    Confusion trails results in Umeh’s Aguluzoigbo community 

    …collation officer on the run with results

    The results of the governorship election in Aguluzoigbo in Anaocha local government area are causing ripples, following the disappearance of the collation officer in charge of the area.

    The community which has only one ward is the place of former chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA, Chief Victor Umeh.

    When the Nation visited the area, the electorates were complaining over the development

    The few results already released, the APGA candidate was in early lead Aguluzoigbo town hall one APGA 174, APC 40, PDP 11 and Aguluozigbo 018 APC 25, APGA 141, PDP 10

  • MASSOB-BIM to ensure successful Anambra governorship election

    The Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) said it would support and ensure that the forthcoming Anambra governorship election holds.

    It said the call for the boycott by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was self-serving and not in the interest of Biafran agitation.

    Enugu zonal leader of the movement, John Nnamani, told reporters  that any call for the boycott of Anambra State election is retrogressive to the pursuit of Biafra.

    “MASSOB-BIM has gone far in the agitation for the actualisation of Biafra. Anybody or group of people trying to draw us back by asking our people to boycott Anambra election should be regarded as enemy of Biafra,” the group said.

     

  • Anambra guber election: Court refuses to hear motion seeking to stop Nwoye

    Anambra guber election: Court refuses to hear motion seeking to stop Nwoye

    …Reps member urges court to dismiss suit for lacking in jurisdiction

     

    Move to stop Tony Nwoye from participating in the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the Anambra governorship election failed Wednesday as the sitting vacation judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Yusuf Halilu declined to hear a motion ex-parte filed to that effect.

    The motion ex-parte filed by Okechukwu Ogbonnaya, contained seven prayers, particularly prayer 6, for an order of interim injunction restraining the APC from “from clearing the 1st defendant (Nwoye) to contest or stand for its primary elections for the purposes of selecting the party’s governorship candidate for the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    Although the case was listed in the court’s cause list for yesterday, the judge declined   to hear the applicant’s lawyer, who had sought the hearing of the ex-parte motion on grounds of urgency. The judge said there was no urgency to warrant the hearing of the motion.

    Ogbonnaya listed as defendants, in the suit, Nwoye, Chief    Arthur Eze, Atlas Petroleum International ltd, Oranto Petroleum Ltd, Fidelity Bank Plc, APC and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  He is challenging, among others, the propriety of the alleged donations by Eze and others, to Nwoye’s governorship ambition.

    Nwoye has however challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit, arguing that the subject matter of the suit relates to Anambra governorship election, on which a court in Abuja cannot hear. He asked the court to strike out the case.

    Alternatively, he asked the court to order the plaintiff to put the defendants “on notice of prayers 3, 4, 5, and 7 in the motion ex parte filed on 31st July, 2017 to enable the 1st defendant (Nwoye) to be heard on those prayers as those reliefs are targeted at stifling the exercise of the constitutional right of the 1st defendant to contest for the Anambra State governorship election.”

    In a supporting affidavit, a lawyer in Nwoye’s team, Obinna Onya said the suit has a direct bearing on the Anambra State Governorship election, which has been scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission to hold on 18th November, 2017 and the primary election of the 6th Defendant which by the prescription of the electoral body must be held not later than August, 2017.

    Onya stated that he was informed by the leader of the legal team, Tobechukwu Nweke that the plaintiff lacks the locus standi to institute the case and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain adjudicate over a pre-primary issue before the conduct of a primary election

    In further attacking the competence of the suit, Onya stated that “The originating summons and the affidavit in support (filed by the plaintiff) failed to disclose any reasonable cause of action

    “This matter being one bordering on criminality was wrongly commenced by originating summons. This matter is a gross abuse of the process of this Court

    “Being that this motion challenges the jurisdiction of this Court, it is just to set the issues of jurisdiction down for hearing and determination before any other step is taken in this matter.

    “Being that prayers 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in the motion ex parte filed on 31st July, 2017 are targeted at stifling the exercise of the constitutional right of the 1st defendant to contest for the Anambra State Governorship election, it is only just and proper that the Defendants be put on notice of those prayers to enable the 1st defendant to be heard on those prayers,” he said.

  • APC determined to win Anambra guber election – Oyegun

    APC determined to win Anambra guber election – Oyegun

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said Thursday that winning the forth coming Anambra governorship election was a test case for the APC led government’s bid to mainstream the south east in the power equation of the country.

    Speaking when he received APC South East Zonal Committee for the Anambra 2017 Governorship election at the National Secretariat in Abuja, Chief Oyegun said the APC was determined to win the election.

    Odigie-Oyegun: “It is clear that the quality of the committee underscores the importance in which the Party hold the Anambra governorship election and the importance in which we hold return of the South East to the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

    “At national level, it is a matter of prime concern. We are very keen to return the nation to the balance it used to have, a balanced federation. And it is most important for that purpose that the South South and South East must participate.

    “We must try to achieve a semblance of equality and full participation by all geopolitical groups in the power equation of this country. We are joining you in making Anambra a test case.

    Fortunately, we have had quite a number of good opinion leaders joining the movement and we now have the critical mass with which to project this great effort. We are fully with you in this effort. Certainly, by next month the Party leadership will set up a national campaign committee for Anambra state. We are determined to work, not to manipulate to win the forthcoming Anambra governorship election.”

    Also Speaking, the Committee Chairman, Dr. Jim Nwobodo said the Anambra governorship election is important for APC as a national Party, adding that everything legally possible must be done to win the State.

    Nwobodo said: “Anambra is an important State in the South East, economically and politically.  It is a State where very prominent and wealthy Igbos come from, some of whom are aspiring to contest for the forthcoming Governorship election. There may be attempts to influence the primaries with money and buy nomination.

    “But this Committee has resolved that the most popular choice of the people of Anambra State will emerge, irrespective of how deep his pocket may be, through a transparent primary. This is because imposing an unpopular candidate is a recipe for failure and bad governance.

    “Beyond the primaries, APC government should do something to convince the people of Anambra State and indeed the South East, to vote for an APC governorship candidate and that they are still part of the government of the day.”

    The Committee which was presented by APC National Vice Chairman (South East), Hon. Emma Eneukwu is chaired by former governor of old Anambra state, Dr. Jim Nwobodo.

    Former Abia state governor, Dr. Uzor Kalu is Vice Chairman. Other members of the Committee are Sen. Emma Azu Agboti (Secretary) Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu, Chief Cosmas Maduba and Chief Gbazuagu Gbazuagu.