Anambra Votes 2025: 2.8 Million Electorates Set to Decide Next Governor Amid Tight Security

Anambra State is on the verge of a major political moment today as over 2.8 million registered voters head to the polls to choose who will lead the state for the next four years. The governorship election is the first to be conducted under the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, who assumed office on October 23.

Many political observers regard the poll as a defining test for INEC’s capacity to deliver a free, fair, and credible election under its new leadership. INEC confirmed that 2,802,790 registered voters, including 140,370 newly enlisted voters across 326 wards, are eligible to vote. With 98.8 percent of Permanent Voter Cards already collected, candidates from major political parties are in a fierce contest to unseat the incumbent, Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who seeks re-election.

Other prominent contenders include Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), Dr. George Moghalu (Labour Party), John Nwosu (ADC), Jude Ezenwafor (PDP), and Sir Paul Chukwuma (YPP). INEC confirmed that all 5,718 polling units would open at 8:30 a.m., with 6,879 BVAS devices configured and backed up. Over 24,000 trained ad hoc staff have been deployed across the 21 local government areas.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Queen Awgu, supervised the distribution of sensitive materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria in Awka on Thursday under heavy security. She assured that the early distribution was to ensure polls commence promptly without delays.

To maintain law and order, the Anambra State Police Command announced a total restriction of vehicular movement from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the election. Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the restriction would apply to all vehicles except those on essential duties, such as INEC officials, accredited journalists, health workers, and emergency responders.

INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, also confirmed that four National Commissioners and ten Resident Electoral Commissioners from other states were deployed to monitor the process. He emphasized that voters in areas with security challenges, such as Ihiala LGA, would vote safely under strict protection from security agencies. Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle stated that the number of security personnel had been increased from 45,000 to 55,000 to ensure voters and officials remain safe throughout the exercise.

Security operatives have cordoned off INEC’s headquarters in Awka ahead of the polls, blocking access roads and positioning armoured vehicles at strategic points around Ekwueme Square. Several election monitoring groups, including the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), have also set up situation rooms to observe the election in real time.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have expressed confidence in the electoral process but raised caution on possible intimidation. APC’s Publicity Secretary, Okelo Madukaife, urged INEC and security agencies to maintain neutrality and avoid interference, while APGA’s spokesman, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, encouraged residents to come out en masse, noting that the party is targeting at least one million votes.

Across major towns such as Onitsha, Nnewi, and Awka, markets and motor parks witnessed large crowds on Friday as residents rushed to make final purchases ahead of the movement restriction. Hotels across the state were fully booked by journalists, observers, and political supporters.

Election observers from Yiaga Africa identified six areas—Orumba North, Orumba South, Ogbaru, Ihiala, Nnewi South, and Aguata—as potential flashpoints, calling for heightened vigilance. The group emphasized that the credibility of the election will depend on INEC’s efficiency, transparency, and the impartiality of security personnel.

As voting begins, all eyes remain on Anambra to see whether today’s election will set a new benchmark for electoral integrity in Nigeria.