The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that Anambra State is completely prepared for the upcoming governorship election scheduled to hold on November 8, 2025.
This confirmation came after a comprehensive weeklong readiness assessment conducted by a top-level delegation from INEC’s headquarters in Abuja. The delegation, led by National Commissioner for Election Planning and Monitoring, Dr. Rhoda Gumus, carried out a statewide review of electoral facilities, logistics, and security arrangements. Other members of the team included National Commissioners Sam Olumekun, Kenneth Ukeagu, and Baba Bila.
According to a bulletin released on Monday by Victoria Eta-Messi, the Commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, the team arrived in Awka on October 21 and immediately began consultations with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, and her management team.
“Our goal is to ensure that every logistical, security, and operational element needed for the election is not just in place but also functioning optimally,” the bulletin stated.
During their visit, the officials toured several local government areas, including Dunukofia and Oyi, where they inspected the deployment of non-sensitive materials and the ongoing distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Dr. Gumus encouraged voters to remain patient and cooperative, assuring that “every eligible voter will be attended to.”
In meetings with Electoral Officers from the 21 local government areas, the discussions focused on early activation of Registration Area Centres (RACs), transportation of materials, and personnel management. Commissioner Kenneth Ukeagu emphasized the need for accountability, insisting that every election item must be traceable.
“Every vehicle, ballot paper, and form must be properly documented and tracked,” Ukeagu said.
On his part, Baba Bila, Chairman of the Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee, urged INEC officials to maintain the Commission’s integrity, while Sam Olumekun, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, called for professionalism and transparency throughout the process.
The INEC team also held a crucial meeting with leaders of major transport unions — including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) — responsible for handling election-day logistics. INEC reaffirmed its commitment to the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the unions, warning against any form of malpractice or deviation from agreed terms.
“This is not business as usual. Stick to the approved vehicles and arrangements. Payments will be made promptly, but accountability must be total,” Ukeagu cautioned.
As part of the visit, the delegation also participated in a high-level Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting, which brought together representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, NSCDC, and the military. The agencies provided updates on their readiness, pledging to ensure peaceful and credible elections across all polling units.
Resident Electoral Commissioner Queen Elizabeth Agwu commended the cooperation among security agencies, describing their synergy as “crucial to maintaining the credibility and safety of the polls.”
The INEC officials wrapped up their mission by overseeing a Mock Accreditation Exercise in Anambra East, where the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was successfully tested. Commissioner Ukeagu confirmed that the machines performed optimally, noting that the commission was “99 percent ready” for the elections.
Dr. Gumus expressed satisfaction with the overall level of preparedness, reaffirming confidence in INEC’s capacity to deliver a credible poll.
“Our visit has shown that Anambra is ready, INEC is ready, and the people are ready. We are committed to conducting an election that truly reflects the will of the electorate,” she concluded.