By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Nigeria Decides: All Eyes on Anambra as Polls Open in High-Stakes Governorship Race
Anambra State, in Nigeria’s southeast, is once again in the spotlight as millions of voters head to the polls to elect a new governor. The election, taking place today, November 8, 2025, is one of the country’s high-profile off-cycle polls, alongside those in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo, Osun, Ondo, Edo, and Ekiti states.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 16 candidates to contest the seat, with major attention on the incumbent governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Jude Ezenwafor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); and George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP).
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, assured Nigerians of the commission’s readiness, confirming that 24,000 electoral officials have been deployed across the 5,718 active polling units out of 5,720 in the state. Two polling units were excluded due to the absence of registered voters.
Anambra joined Nigeria’s list of off-cycle election states in 2003 after the Court of Appeal annulled Chris Ngige’s election and installed Peter Obi following a prolonged legal battle that reshaped the state’s political calendar.
At Nsugbe Ward 1 in Anambra East, Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North, cast his vote early and commended security agencies for maintaining peace. However, he expressed concern over low voter turnout and hinted at possible apathy across several local government areas.
At Odubo Polling Unit 006 in Nteje, reports of subtle voter inducement emerged. Party agents were allegedly seen urging voters to display their ballot papers after thumbprinting, raising concerns about vote buying. Security personnel at the scene appeared passive despite the questionable activity.
In contrast, there was massive participation in Agulu, hometown of former governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. Elderly women formed long queues at Polling Unit 019, patiently waiting for accreditation and voting. Many described the turnout as encouraging and peaceful.
In the state capital, Awka, INEC officials arrived late at several polling units, including those at Agu Awka and Aroma Junction, _despite earlier assurances that voting_ would begin by 8:00 a.m. Observers from the JDPC, a civic group under the Catholic Church, criticized the delay.
However, by mid-morning, voting had commenced in many locations. At Awka Ward VI and the Federal Government Technical College, only APGA and APC agents were seen actively participating, a reflection of the dominance of the two parties in the area.
INEC’s Assurance and Voter Appeal
INEC reiterated that every vote will count and warned against vote trading. “Be counted, be heard. Step out and vote peacefully. Every vote must count,” the commission said in a statement.
The commission also appealed to voters not to sell their votes, emphasizing that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy rests on free and fair participation.
Anambra’s governorship election has become a litmus test for Nigeria’s evolving democratic process. With heightened security presence, accusations of vote buying, and the battle among political heavyweights, the outcome of today’s poll is expected to shape both local and national political conversations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Stay with Africaworldnews for verified updates and official results as they unfold from the Anambra 2025 Governorship Election.
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