International and domestic observers lauded Nigeria’s Anambra governorship election Saturday as a model of efficiency and tranquility, with early arrivals of officials and seamless biometric accreditation setting a positive tone for the southeastern state’s leadership contest.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under new chairman Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, drew commendations for its logistical prowess, as voting kicked off promptly across thousands of polling units in the race featuring 18 candidates and over 2.3 million registered voters.
Ambassador Dr. Emmanuel Nkweke of the International Association of World Peace Advocates, monitoring sites in Awka and environs, hailed the process as “peaceful and well-managed.” He noted: “Accreditation is smooth, BVAS is functioning as expected, and INEC officials are courteous and efficient.” On security, Nkweke added: “The environment is calm and secure. We observed up to seven police officers at some units, and their conduct has been exemplary. The collaboration among the security agencies deserves commendation.”
Dismissing whispers of inducements, he stated: “We have not seen anything like that in the areas observed. As international observers, we report what we see, not rumours. So far, this election has been peaceful and credible.”
Yiaga Africa’s Director of Programmes, Ms. Cynthia Mbamalu, spotlighted INEC’s punctuality after her team’s dawn patrols. “Our observers were up early in the morning to monitor arrival times, and we saw that materials and INEC officials arrived as early as 7:34am in Amawbia, Awka South,” she said. “Commencement of voting by 8:30 am, as stipulated by the Electoral Act, shows a high level of readiness and efficiency by INEC.”
Local voices echoed the optimism. Voter Dominic Okafor at Polling Unit 004 in Igboukwu, Aguata, remarked: “I must commend the INEC Chairman and his team. The officials arrived on time, the BVAS is functioning properly, and the process has been seamless so far. Voters are conducting themselves peacefully and participation is impressive.”
In Orumba South, local government chairman Shedrack Azubuike observed: “The election is peaceful and well-organised. The officials are efficient, and the people are turning out responsibly to exercise their civic duties. This is how democracy should work.”
INEC’s situation room reported enhanced turnout over the 2021 poll, crediting Amupitan’s oversight. The chairman himself reaffirmed the body’s mandate, telling reporters: “Our duty is to the Nigerian people. INEC is committed to ensuring that every valid vote counts and that the process remains credible, transparent, and peaceful.”
With no major disruptions logged and real-time result uploads advancing on the IReV portal, the ballot — pitting incumbent All Progressives Grand Alliance’s Charles Soludo against rivals from the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party and others — signals a potential turnaround for Nigeria’s off-cycle votes ahead of national scrutiny.
