.. AS EYES OF THE WORLD TURN TO ANAMBRA
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has charged staff of the Commission in Anambra State to ensure flawless logistics and prompt commencement of voting in the November 8 governorship election, warning that “the eyes of the world are on us.”
Prof. Amupitan gave the charge during a meeting with staff at the Commission’s State Office in Awka on Thursday 3rd November 2025, as part of his working visit ahead of the election. The visit, which followed a series of readiness assessments across the state, also coincided with the signing of the Peace Accord by political parties earlier in the day.
The INEC Chairman, who described the gathering as a “family meeting,” said the integrity of the forthcoming election rests squarely on the shoulders of Commission staff at all levels.
“There must not be logistics failure,” he declared. “The eyes of the world are on INEC, on the Resident Electoral Commissioner, and on you the Electoral Officers. Voting must begin at exactly 8:30 a.m. in all the 5,718 polling units across the 21 local government areas. That is non-negotiable.”
Prof. Amupitan emphasised that all election materials must leave Registration Area Centres (RACs) not later than 6:00 a.m. on election morning, adding that every vehicle, driver, and security operative must be stationed at their deployment points the night before.
“If you don’t have to sleep on Friday, don’t sleep,” he said. “The first sign of a credible election is that it starts on time. When people wake up to hear that voting hasn’t started at 9:00 a.m., that’s already a failure, and we will not allow that to happen in Anambra.”
He explained that the Commission had finalised arrangements with the Inspector-General of Police for robust security deployment, noting that over 45,000 police personnel, along with operatives from other security agencies, would be on duty during the election. He further commended the successful completion of training for Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, and Assistant Presiding Officers, but urged staff to immediately escalate any emerging challenges through the Commission’s communication channels.
The INEC Chairman reminded staff of their constitutional responsibilities, stressing that every INEC official, from the headquarters to the polling unit, represents one institution created by law.
“You are the INEC that people see,” he told the Electoral Officers. “The Resident Electoral Commissioner cannot be everywhere. It is you who will be in the field, supervising the process. Your diligence, discipline, and integrity will define the credibility of this election.”
Turning to results management, Prof. Amupitan underscored the sanctity of Form EC8A, describing it as “the pyramid of votes in Nigeria.” He urged presiding officers to ensure that results are properly recorded, stamped, and signed, and that collation officers verify that the figures tally with the BVAS accreditation data before moving to the next stage.
“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” he warned. “If figures don’t align, corrections must be made transparently as the Electoral Act provides. We cannot afford errors or negligence that could undermine confidence in the process.”
He also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to inclusivity, noting that INEC had extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state and made special provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to encourage wider participation.
Expressing concern over declining voter turnout in the state, the Chairman called on staff to help mobilise citizens to vote.
“In 2013, turnout was around 25 percent. In 2017, it dropped to about 20, and in the last election, only about 10 percent of registered voters participated,” he lamented. “That is not acceptable. We must restore confidence and encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote. The more voters we have, the stronger our democracy becomes.”
On logistics, Prof. Amupitan warned against any form of malpractice in the management of transport arrangements, cautioning that all hired vehicles must be fully deployed as approved. He revealed that the Commission would audit every aspect of the logistics process after the election.
“If an election fails to start on time, the Electoral Officer in that local government will have to explain why,” he stated. “We are spending huge resources to ensure that logistics work smoothly. Anyone found to have compromised the process will be held accountable.”
The INEC Chairman added that the Commission would recognise and reward high-performing local governments while sanctioning those that fall short of expectations.
“We will celebrate the best-performing local governments,” he said. “But those that cause problems will also be identified and investigated. Excellence must be rewarded, and negligence will not be tolerated.”
Prof. Amupitan closed his address with a rallying call for professionalism and commitment, describing the Anambra Governorship Election as a defining test for the Commission.
“Anambra is a microcosm of Nigeria,” he said. “Whatever happens here will echo across the country. Let us prove that INEC can deliver a credible, peaceful, and transparent election that restores the faith of Nigerians in our democracy.”
INEC CHAIRMAN, SECURITY CHIEFS AND PEACE COMMITTEE URGE CALM AHEAD OF ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash O. Amupitan (SAN), has urged political parties, candidates, and their supporters to demonstrate genuine commitment to peace ahead of the November 8 Anambra Governorship Election.
Speaking at the signing of the Peace Accord on Monday, 3rd November 2025, in Awka, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission was determined to conduct a credible, transparent, and peaceful election in line with the law and global best practices.
“The signatures on this document do not guarantee peace; it is the genuine commitment to honouring its provisions that will,” he cautioned. “Without peace, logistics will be disrupted, our personnel and materials put at risk, and ultimately, the credibility of the process undermined.”
The INEC Chairman expressed gratitude to the National Peace Committee (NPC), led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (GCFR), for sustaining its efforts in promoting peaceful elections across Nigeria. He noted that the initiative, which began with the Edo State Governorship Election in 2020, had since been extended to other off-cycle elections with encouraging results.
Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness for the Anambra poll, revealing that 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to participate across 5,718 polling units in the state. He announced that over 24,000 ad hoc personnel would be deployed, supported by security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
“The Commission has taken deliberate steps to address operational challenges. We have engaged our officials, transport providers, and security agencies to fine-tune deployment arrangements across the state. Voters should expect significant improvements in Election Day logistics,” he assured.
The INEC Chairman further disclosed that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had been extended to Sunday, November 2, to ensure wider voter participation. He reiterated the Commission’s resolve to curb vote-buying and other electoral malpractices, warning that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
On election security, Prof. Amupitan revealed that the Nigeria Police Force would deploy 45,000 officers, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) would contribute over 10,000 personnel, alongside other security agencies.
“With the Peace Accord being signed today, the proactive efforts of security agencies, and the valuable contributions of traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, civil society, the media, and other stakeholders, we are confident, by God’s grace, that the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election will be peaceful and successful,” he concluded.
In his welcome address, former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), represented by General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), underscored the importance of peace as the bedrock of democracy.
“The signing of this Peace Accord is not merely symbolic; it is a call to discipline, honour, and responsibility,” he said. “Leadership is not only in seeking power but in safeguarding peace and ensuring that no life is put at risk.”
He appealed to political actors to act with restraint and respect for the law, describing Anambra as a state of rich heritage and leadership whose example would resonate beyond its borders. He urged the media to report responsibly and traditional rulers to guide their communities toward peace.
Adding a light-hearted note, General Agwai reminded attendees that the election date coincides with his birthday, saying: “I plead with the good people of Anambra to give me a birthday gift on November 8 a peaceful and credible election.”
Representing the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence, Benjamin Okolo, reaffirmed the readiness of the Police to maintain law and order throughout the exercise.
He stated that the Force had developed an intelligence-driven operational plan to secure all 4,698 polling units in the state, emphasizing that the Police and other security agencies would remain neutral and professional.
“Our allegiance is not to any political party or candidate but to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the sovereign will of the electorate,” he said firmly.
DIG Okolo further revealed that the operational plan is built on prevention rather than reaction, stressing that security agencies had mapped out flashpoints across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state and activated early-warning mechanisms to pre-empt violence. He noted that aerial surveillance, mobile patrols, and special tactical units had been mobilized to complement ground operations for quick response and deterrence.
“The Force will enforce total restrictions on the movement of unauthorized security outfits, including state-controlled vigilantes, during the election period. Any non-state actor attempting to perform security duties will be treated as a threat to public order,” he warned.
He also disclosed that the Police had activated the Zero-Tolerance Enforcement Protocol*, with specific instructions to arrest anyone found engaging in vote-buying, ballot snatching, or voter intimidation. Offenders, he said, would be prosecuted under the Electoral Act 2022 and other relevant laws.
“Our professionalism will be matched by precision, and our civility by firmness. The peace of Anambra State is non-negotiable, and the integrity of this election will not be compromised. Any attempt to disrupt public peace will be met with swift, lawful, and decisive enforcement,” DIG Okolo declared.
He further urged political leaders to caution their supporters and campaign agents, reminding them that “power attained through violence is illegitimate and unsustainable.” He also appealed to youths to resist manipulation, saying, “The ballot, not the bullet, remains the true instrument of change.”
Editor in Chief: Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi
Editor: Wilfred Ifogah
Sub-Editor: Esther Chibuikem
Reporter: Nathaniel Audu Gana