INEC Reaffirms Readiness for Credible Anambra Governorship Election

By our Correspondent

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restated its readiness to conduct a credible, transparent, and inclusive governorship election in Anambra State scheduled for next month.

Acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, gave the assurance during the third quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja.

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s democracy through sustained engagement and collaboration with stakeholders.

She explained that the consultative forum—the third in 2025—forms part of INEC’s ongoing dialogue with political parties aimed at fostering mutual understanding and building confidence in the electoral process.

“The Commission is working assiduously with security agencies and stakeholders at all levels to ensure a peaceful and credible Anambra Governorship Election,” she said.

According to her, INEC has completed ten of the thirteen key activities in the election timetable and remains firmly on schedule.

The Acting Chairman further disclosed that all non-sensitive materials for the election had been delivered to Anambra State, while voter education and sensitisation were ongoing across all Local Government Areas.

She urged political parties to strictly comply with campaign timelines and other provisions in the electoral timetable.

Providing updates on other electoral activities, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu noted the successful conduct of bye-elections in 12 states on August 16, 2025, and ongoing preparations for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections on February 21, 2026, the Ekiti Governorship Election on June 20, 2026, and the Osun Governorship Election on August 8, 2026.

On the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which resumed nationwide on August 18, 2025, for online pre-registration and August 25 for in-person registration, she said the exercise had recorded an impressive turnout of citizens.

The Acting Chairman also revealed that INEC had received 171 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties, out of which 14 met constitutional and legal requirements to proceed to the next stage.

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu expressed appreciation to political parties for their cooperation and constructive engagement, assuring them that INEC would remain steadfast in upholding transparency, inclusivity, and the protection of the people’s mandate.

In his goodwill message, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, pledged IPAC’s continued partnership with the Commission to consolidate democratic gains.

He also urged INEC to sustain the reforms initiated under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and called for prompt legislative action on proposed constitutional and electoral reforms, including the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, special seats for women, and the transfer of Local Government election responsibilities to INEC for uniformity nationwide.