INEC, security agencies, and civil society groups pledge robust coordination and security for a peaceful Anambra governorship election on November 9.
As the November 9 Anambra State governorship election draws near, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies have assured voters of a peaceful, transparent, and credible process, with robust security arrangements already in place across the state.
The assurance came during a Situation Room engagement in Abuja, where INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies unveiled coordinated strategies to safeguard all parts of the state before, during, and after the election.
No Room for Violence
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, represented by ACP Ekuri Remigius, said all entry and exit points into the state will be cordoned off from midnight on election day to prevent infiltration and movement of unauthorized persons.
“Movement will be restricted to accredited officials and essential personnel with proper identification. A ‘show of force’ will take place in flashpoints like Ihiala, Okija, Orlu, Amichi, Aguata, and Umunze to deter potential disruptors,” he said.
According to the police, officers posted to polling units will not be armed, while mobile units will remain on standby for rapid response within designated perimeters.
CP Orutugu further disclosed that correctional centers, border towns, and other critical infrastructure will be under strict surveillance to prevent jailbreaks and infiltration by criminal elements.
“Some bad actors may want to use the election period for jailbreaks or unrest. But we have deployed enough officers and tactical units even beyond Anambra State, to ensure stability during and after the election,” he added.
INEC Pledges Secure Logistics
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra, Dr. Queen Elizabeth-Agwu, reaffirmed that all sensitive election materials will be transported under armed escort from the state headquarters to the Registration Area Centers (RACs).
She noted that only trained and accredited personnel will handle election duties under close supervision to guarantee transparency and integrity.
Continuing, the REC, said: “Some of the materials are safely in our possession. My store officer locked the place they are kept. I also bought my own key and locked the door again. It is stored in a strong room. You cannot break it except you pull down the house.
“We have trained all the security personnel. The training took place last week for all the security personnel in the three senatorial districts.
“We have 16 political parties contesting, with 16 candidates and their deputies. We published the names in the 21 LGAs and our state offices as well as personal data and details of the candidates to enable the public to make their observations or to lodge complaints.
“The law required that we should publish the final list. We have followed everything as provided by law.”
Partners Commend Coordination
The Situation Room, which includes over 80 civil society organizations and key agencies such as the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Correctional Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Immigration Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Yiaga Africa, CLEEN Foundation, and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), said multiple simulation exercises had been conducted to test security readiness.
Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Yinusa Zakari, said the engagement aimed to assess the level of preparedness by INEC and security agencies for the election.
Representatives from the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) praised the high level of inter-agency collaboration, describing it as a model for credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections in Nigeria.
“Sustained dialogue between INEC, security agencies, and civil society is essential to strengthen electoral integrity nationwide,” the FCDO representative added.
With over 5,000 polling units and security personnel deployed from across the country, stakeholders expressed confidence that the November 9 governorship election in Anambra State will be free of violence, well-coordinated, and credible.
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