The best site to get your Nigerian News, Latest News, Breaking News & Trending. From Politics, Entertainment, Sport, Education and Health.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its full readiness for the Anambra 2025 governorship election, assuring Nigerians that all arrangements are in motion to ensure a transparent and credible process.
This commitment was made during the commission’s third quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders held on Tuesday in Abuja—the first to be chaired by Acting Chairman May Agbamuche-Mbu since the exit of former chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on October 7.
In her opening remarks, Agbamuche-Mbu acknowledged Yakubu’s service to the nation, describing his exit as the end of an era defined by “innovation, institutional strength, and integrity.”
She outlined the commission’s upcoming election schedule, including:
Speaking on the Anambra poll, she revealed that INEC had already completed 10 of 13 key activities, with only three major steps left—publication of the notice of poll on October 25, end of campaigns on November 6, and the election itself on November 8.
“The commission is fully committed to the remaining activities as scheduled. Political parties must also adhere strictly to the campaign timeline,” she stated.
Agbamuche-Mbu noted that non-sensitive election materials had already been delivered to Anambra State, while voter education and sensitisation campaigns were ongoing across communities.
She assured that INEC was coordinating closely with security agencies at national, state, and local government levels to maintain peace and order before, during, and after the elections.
“We have made adequate arrangements for logistics, security, and staff welfare to guarantee free and fair polls,” she added.
The acting chairman also presented a report on the by-elections conducted on August 16 across 12 states, covering two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly seats, as well as reruns in Enugu and Kano States.
According to her, all declarations and Certificates of Return had been duly issued in compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.
She further disclosed that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which resumed in August, will continue until August 30, 2026, with weekly progress reports published on INEC’s official website.
Agbamuche-Mbu revealed that the commission received 171 applications for registration of new political parties. However, only 14 associations met the basic constitutional and electoral law requirements to proceed to the next stage of evaluation.
This, she said, was part of INEC’s ongoing effort to maintain a credible and efficient multi-party democracy.
Responding to the presentation, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), congratulated Agbamuche-Mbu on her appointment and expressed optimism about her leadership.
“The nation will benefit from her wealth of experience at this crucial stage of our democratic process,” Dantalle said.
He, however, emphasized that the Anambra 2025 governorship election would be the first major test for the acting chairman, calling it “the litmus test of the new INEC leadership.”
IPAC also presented reform proposals to the National Assembly, including:
“With new leadership, citizens’ expectations are high. INEC must justify public confidence and rebuild trust in the electoral process,” he stressed.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC chairman from October 2015 to October 2025, remains the only person to have held the position for two consecutive terms. President Bola Tinubu recently honoured him with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) award for his decade of service.
The National Council of State has since approved the nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new INEC chairman, pending Senate confirmation. Until then, May Agbamuche-Mbu will continue to oversee the commission’s operations.
According to INEC, over 2.8 million voters are registered to participate in the Anambra poll, with 16 political parties fielding candidates after meeting the May 12 submission deadline.
As the countdown to the Anambra 2025 governorship election begins, INEC faces mounting pressure to deliver a credible and transparent poll. For millions of Nigerians, this election is not just about a new governor—it’s a test of faith in democracy and the strength of electoral institutions.
English