The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Anambra State prepared for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
The announcement followed a weeklong readiness assessment tour conducted by a high-level delegation from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, reports The PUNCH.
The delegation, led by National Commissioner for Election Planning and Monitoring, Rhoda Gumus, completed an extensive review of facilities, logistics, and security arrangements across the state.
The team comprised National Commissioners Sam Olumekun, Kenneth Ukeagu, and Baba Bila.
These details were provided in a daily bulletin issued today by the Editor-in-Chief and Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi.
According to the bulletin, the delegation arrived in Awka on October 21 and held meetings with the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, along with the State Management Team.
The bulletin stated that their mission was to “ensure that every logistical, security, and operational element required for the election was not only in place, but also in working order”.
The team inspected ongoing activities in several local government areas, including Dunukofia and Oyi, where deployment of non-sensitive materials was taking place.
They also observed the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards and interacted with voters. Gumus urged patience and cooperation, assuring that every eligible voter would be attended to.
In separate meetings with Electoral Officers from the 21 local government areas, discussions centred on logistics, early activation of Registration Area Centres, and the movement of personnel and materials.
According to the bulletin, Ukeagu stressed the importance of accountability, directing officers to ensure proper documentation and tracking of all election materials.
“Every vehicle, every ballot, every form must be properly tracked,” he stressed.
Bila, Chairman of the Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee, reminded officials of their responsibility to uphold the commission’s integrity, while Olumekun, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, stressed professionalism and transparency.
The delegation also met with leaders of the transport unions — National Union of Road Transport Workers, National Association of Road Transport Owners, and Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria—who are responsible for election-day logistics.
INEC reaffirmed its collaboration with the unions under an existing Memorandum of Understanding. Ukeagu warned against any breaches of agreement and assured that payments would be prompt while insisting on full accountability.
Ukeagu stressed, “This is not business as usual. Stick to the agreed vehicles and arrangements. Payment will be prompt, but accountability must be total.”
The bulletin further noted that a high-level meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security was also held during the visit. Security agencies, including the Police, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the military, provided updates on their operations, adding that “Our goal is simple-peaceful, credible elections across all polling units.”
Agwu commended the collaboration among security agencies, describing it as vital to election integrity.
The delegation concluded its visit by monitoring a Mock Accreditation Exercise in Anambra East, where the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System was tested. The devices functioned effectively, with Ukeagu stating that the Commission was “99 per cent ready” for the polls.
Gumus expressed satisfaction with the overall level of preparedness, noting that INEC, stakeholders, and the people of Anambra were ready for the election.
National Commissioner Gumus said, “Our visit has shown that Anambra is ready, INEC is ready, and the people are ready. We look forward to delivering an election that will reflect the true will of the electorate.”
