The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that it is 99 percent prepared for the November 8, 2025, Anambra Governorship Election, assuring Nigerians of a credible and transparent process across the state.
According to INEC, a high-powered delegation from its Abuja headquarters, led by the National Commissioner for Election Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, recently completed a weeklong pre-election readiness assessment tour in Anambra.
The team inspected electoral facilities, held consultations with stakeholders, and evaluated field operations in preparation for the poll.
The delegation, which also included National Commissioners Mr. Sam Olumekun, Dr. Kenneth Ukeagu, and Dr. Baba Bila, arrived in Awka on October 21, 2025, and immediately commenced meetings with the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, and the State Management Team.
Prof. Gumus explained that the visit was aimed at confirming that all logistical, security, and operational frameworks were properly in place ahead of the election.
Field assessments took the team to several local government areas, including Dunukofia and Oyi, where the deployment of non-sensitive materials was ongoing. The officials also monitored the collection of Permanent Voter Cards at various registration areas.
“This process is designed to be smooth and inclusive. No voter will be left behind,” Prof. Gumus assured.
During an interactive session with the 21 Electoral Officers in the state, the focus was on logistics management, activation of Registration Area Centres and timely deployment of election materials and personnel. Dr. Ukeagu reminded officers of the importance of accountability.
“Every vehicle, every ballot, every form must be properly tracked,” he emphasized.
The team also witnessed the Mock Accreditation Exercise in Anambra East, where upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices were successfully tested.
Dr. Ukeagu expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the Commission was “99% ready” for the election.
“Every component – logistics, security, voter sensitization and material tracking – is in place. Only the final deployment of staff and materials remains,” he said.
On his part, Dr. Baba Bila, Chairman of the Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee, reminded officers to act with honesty and diligence.
“The Commission has given you trust; you must return that trust with integrity,” he advised.
Mr. Olumekun also called on officials to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, stressing that transparency was INEC’s “strongest asset.”
As part of the readiness tour, the delegation met with leaders of key transport unions, NURTW, NARTO, and RTEAN, who are instrumental in election-day logistics.
Dr. Ukeagu warned them to strictly adhere to the terms of their Memorandum of Understanding with the Commission.
“This is not business as usual. Stick to the agreed arrangements. Payment will be prompt, but accountability must be total,” he cautioned.
The team also participated in a high-level meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, where heads of security agencies pledged coordinated deployments to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
Dr. Agwu commended the collaboration among the security agencies, saying it was crucial to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
“We enter this election with a peaceful state of mind. The cooperation we see today gives us confidence that materials, personnel, and voters will move freely and safely on election day,” she stated.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has approved the appointment of Mr. Adedayo Eriye Oketola as his Chief Press Secretary.
The appointment, conveyed in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on October 24, 2025, takes immediate effect.
Mr. Oketola, a multi-award-winning journalist with nearly two decades of experience, previously served as Editor of The Punch Newspaper.
In her congratulatory message, Mrs. Oriaran-Anthony urged him to uphold INEC’s core values of professionalism, integrity, and transparency in the discharge of his duties.
