By John Dike,Osogbo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies have pledged to wage a joint and decisive war against vote buying and other electoral offences during the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election slated for Saturday, November 8, 2025.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the declaration on Tuesday during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting, co-chaired with the National Security Adviser (NSA), brought together heads of all security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies to assess readiness for the crucial poll.
Amupitan described vote buying as “a menace contaminating the soul of Nigeria’s democracy”, warning that any attempt to induce voters before or during the election would be met with firm resistance.
He said, “The Commission is working closely with law enforcement and anti-graft agencies to ensure that vote buyers and their sponsors have no breathing space during the Anambra election.
“Security agents cannot afford to create an environment that allows such criminality. Together, we must uphold democracy’s values and the integrity of our elections.”
Reaffirming the commission’s operational readiness, Amupitan disclosed that all logistical and security details for the poll had been finalized and tested. A recent mock accreditation exercise using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) across 12 polling units in six local government areas, he said, was successful despite minor network challenges, which have now been resolved.
According to him, 24,000 personnel will be deployed across 5,718 polling units, while voting will not take place in two units where there are no registered voters. Collation of results will occur at 326 Ward Centres, 21 Local Government Collation Centres, and finally, at the State Collation Centre in Awka.
Yo ensure that more voters are able to participate, Amupitan announced an extension of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise in Anambra, following reports that only 63.9% of registered voters had collected their cards.
The exercise, initially scheduled to end on October 26, will now continue from October 29 to November 2, 2025, across all 326 Registration Areas in the state.
“No eligible voter should be left behind. Our mandate is to conduct credible, inclusive elections,” he emphasized.
The INEC Chairman said that the Commission had reached agreements with major transport unions, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), to ensure smooth deployment of materials and personnel.
A total of 200 buses and 83 boats have been secured for land and riverine logistics.
He praised the synergy among security agencies, noting that recent ICCES meetings in Awka had helped to identify and monitor potential flashpoints across all 21 local government areas.
“The Anambra election must be the most coordinated and secure we’ve had. Synergy among security agencies is non-negotiable,” he said.
Representing the National Security Adviser, Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the ONSA, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to secure the electoral environment through “intelligence-driven, pre-emptive operations.”
“We have enhanced surveillance, robust deployment, and improved intelligence-sharing mechanisms to prevent any disruption or violence during the election,” Abdullahi assured. “Political parties and their supporters must maintain peace — any form of violence will be met with decisive force.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police Abayomi Sogunle announced that 45,000 police officers would be deployed to Anambra for election duty.
“Only statutory security agencies under ICCES will be involved in election security. Vigilante or non-statutory groups will play no role,” he said.
Sogunle disclosed that tactical units would commence pre-election operations from November 1 to dismantle potential threats, with full movement restrictions enforced on election day. All entry and exit points into the state, he added, would be heavily secured.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General O.O. Nafi’u, commended INEC and security agencies for prioritizing the welfare and safety of corps members who will serve as ad-hoc staff.
“Our corps members are patriotic and ready to serve. We appeal to the people of Anambra to see them as their own children and ensure their safety,” he said, promising to personally be on ground during the election to oversee their welfare.
Prof. Amupitan concluded with a call for unity and vigilance, emphasizing that the success of the Anambra election would be a measure of Nigeria’s democratic maturity.
“The security agencies have been steadfast, and the Commission is ready. What remains is our collective resolve to make this election one that deepens trust and strengthens democracy,” he said.
