Politics
Anambra Poll Will Hold – INEC
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has assured voters and people of Anambra State that the November 6 governorship election will hold as scheduled.
Speaking during a meeting held at the INEC headquarters in Awka, he said the commission, in collaboration with all the security agencies, is ready for a free, fair and credible poll.
He urged security agencies to do everything possible towards ensuring sanity and orderliness before, during and after the process.
The INEC boss also disclosed that the candidates and political parties would today, during a stakeholders meeting, sign a peace accord to commit to a free and fair election.
He said the signing of the peace accord was part of measures to ensure peaceful conduct of the election
The Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr Echeng Echeng, said all boundaries linking the state with others would be locked down on Thursday night as part of measures to guarantee security within and outside the state.
He said during the period, vehicles and movement would not be allowed into the state, stressing that several camps of hoodlums have been identified and were being seriously monitored.
The CP also decried the ugly narratives from outsiders about the security situation in parts of the state.
Meanwhile, 13 governors who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday stormed the grand finale of the party’s governorship candidate, Valentine Ozigbo. They vowed to resist any plot to rig the election.
Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for Anambra State governorship election, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, stated this during the party’s mega rally in Awka, to cap its campaign for the election.
Ikpeazu, who was accompanied by Governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Seyi Makinde of Delta and Oyo States respectively, reiterated the readiness of the PDP to “take back” the country from the All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2023 general elections.
Also yesterday, members of the caucus of the APC at Anambra House of Assembly paid a solidarity visit to the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
The caucus members led by Timothy Ifediora (APC, Njidoka constituency), visited Okeke at his office in the Government House, Awka, along with others.
Responding, the deputy governor thanked the caucus members for visiting him, saying Anambra State cannot continue to be a lone ranger.
Meanwhile, Amnesty Nigeria has called on the federal government to ensure that the lives of citizens, journalists and INEC officials are protected during and after the Anambra election.
A statement by its media manager, Isa Sanusi, expressed concern on reports of violence targeting voters, political gatherings, security forces and INEC facilities.
The statement quoted its director, Osai Ojigho, saying the “Nigerian government must protect people from violence and ensure the full respect for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association before, during and after the upcoming gubernatorial election.
“The government must put in place measures to protect people including human rights defenders, election observers, and staff of INEC ahead of the 6 November election.”
He further asked government to ensure that security forces did not infringe on human rights while enforcing law and order during the period.
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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