The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has issued an urgent appeal for voters in Anambra State to participate in massive numbers in the upcoming governorship election, warning that voter apathy remains the biggest threat to the state’s democracy.
Addressing the press in Abuja on Thursday, just two days before the November 8, 2025, election, Professor Amupitan highlighted a disturbing historical trend of declining participation in the state.
Historical Apathy and New Appeal
Professor Amupitan presented figures showing a sharp drop in turnout: from 25.5% in the 2013 governorship election, down to 20.10% in 2017, and deteriorating sharply to a mere 10.27% in 2021.
“The greatest enemy to Anambra’s democracy is not just external violence but voter apathy,” Professor Amupitan stated. With 2,802,790 eligible voters on the register, he urged every citizen to “come out and exercise their civic right without fear or favour.”
The call for mass participation follows a successful extension of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection period, which raised the collection rate to an impressive 98.80%—a significant collection rate for any election in Nigeria.
Security and Logistics Preparedness
The INEC Chairman confirmed that the commission is fully ready for the election, emphasising that over 24,000 trained ad hoc personnel will be deployed across the state’s 5,718 polling units, with the goal of achieving simultaneous opening at 8:30 a.m.
- Technology: 6,879 BVAS devices have been fully tested, configured, and backed up to ensure accurate accreditation and result upload to the IReV portal.
- Logistics: Over 3,000 vehicles and 83 boats are secured to guarantee the timely movement of personnel and materials, particularly to riverine communities.
- Security: The Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 officers, supported by the NSCDC and other agencies, with a guarantee of neutrality and a pledge that impunity will not be tolerated.
Professor Amupitan also noted a landmark step for inclusion: the approval for the deployment of Sign Language Interpreters across polling units to assist the 3,456 registered voters living with disabilities (PWDs).
Four National Commissioners, supported by ten Resident Electoral Commissioners specially deployed from across the country, have remained in Anambra to personally supervise the election, ensuring a transparent and efficiently executed process.
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