The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has described the Anambra State Governorship election held on Saturday, 8 November, as largely peaceful but warned that vote buying, abuse of state power, and low voter turnout remain major challenges for Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement signed by Convener Yunusa Ya’u and presented to journalists by Situation Room Analyst Achike Chude in Abuja, the group said observers were deployed across all 21 local government areas, with partner organisations monitoring ballot integrity, campaign finance, election security, misinformation, inclusion, and citizen participation through its Election Reporting App.
Chude said 35 incidents of violence were recorded, including voter intimidation, group clashes, ballot snatching, physical assault, and one fatality.
“The primary drivers of the largely peaceful election were the people of Anambra State. Their commitment to maintaining a calm electoral environment was pivotal,” the Situation Room said.
Election Administration
The group said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) managed key processes effectively. Most polling units opened at 9:15am, with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System largely functional, though isolated malfunctions caused delays. Results collation was “quick and drama-free,” with 97 percent of results uploaded to INEC’s Results Viewing Portal within five hours of poll closure.
“Assistive materials for voters with disabilities were inconsistent, though priority voting for the elderly, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and persons with disabilities was largely respected,” Chude added.
Security and Vote Buying
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and NSCDC, were highly visible across polling units. However, the Situation Room highlighted a persistent reluctance to tackle widespread vote buying. The group also called for a review of the increasing deployment of security personnel during off-cycle elections, noting the welfare of officers must be considered.
Abuse of State Power and Political Parties
The group raised concerns over restrictions on campaign signage, bans on market rallies, and remapped campaign locations, noting:
“Elections should be a level playing field for all candidates. Conduct that favors the incumbent undermines free and fair competition.”
Political parties’ lack of commitment to competitive processes was also noted. The Situation Room called for reforms to strengthen accountability, including stricter criteria for parties to appear on the ballot.
Voter Turnout
Voter turnout was estimated at 21 percent, up from 10 percent in 2021. The Situation Room praised civil society organisations, particularly the Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), for voter education and mobilisation, especially in rural areas.
Conclusion
While largely peaceful, the election revealed lingering public distrust and low political engagement. The Situation Room urged stricter enforcement of electoral laws to combat vote buying and called on the National Assembly to accelerate reforms ahead of the 2026 and 2027 elections.
“Credible elections are central to democratic governance and public accountability. Lessons from the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election must guide reforms and collaboration among INEC, security agencies, political actors, and civil society,” the group said.
The Situation Room, a coalition of over seventy civil society organisations, pledged to continue advocating for electoral accountability and consistent quality in Nigeria’s elections.
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