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About 2.7 million registered voters in Anambra State will today cast their ballots to elect the state’s next governor for a four-year term.
In Awka, Onitsha and other major towns, banks, markets and offices remained open on Friday as residents went about their activities. However, there was visible movement around the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), an increased security presence on major roads, and helicopter patrols across the state.
The election will feature candidates from 16 political parties, but the contest is widely expected to be a four-horse race between the incumbent, Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP); Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The poll is seen as a referendum on Soludo’s four-year performance as he seeks re-election. It also offers the APC a chance to extend its reach in the South East by capturing Anambra, a state that has remained under APGA’s control since 2006. For the Labour Party and its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi—who was the first APGA governor in the state—the election serves as a test of continued popularity ahead of the 2027 presidential race. For the PDP, it presents a faint opportunity to regain relevance amid a lingering internal crisis that has split the party into two rival factions since its defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
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None of the four leading candidates hail from the same local government area, meaning each will seek to demonstrate strength by winning in his home base. Ezenwafor is from Idemili South LGA, Moghalu from Nnewi North LGA, Ukachukwu from Nnewi South LGA, and Soludo from Aguata LGA. However, while only Ezenwafor’s Idemili South falls within Anambra Central Senatorial District, the other three candidates are from Anambra South, setting the stage for a tense battle for dominance in the zone.
Soludo’s closeness to President Bola Tinubu is, however, seen as a potential factor that could tilt the election in his favour. Earlier in the year, during the president’s visit to Awka, Soludo publicly pledged his party’s support for Tinubu’s 2027 ambition, a move that has fuelled speculation that the APC may be participating in the poll without a strong intent to challenge the status quo.
The election is the first to be conducted under the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), who assumed office only a few weeks ago. Civil society groups and many Nigerians have described the poll as a litmus test for his leadership ahead of the already charged political atmosphere surrounding the 2027 presidential election.
Voter data breakdown
INEC figures show that 2,769,137 of the 2,802,790 registered voters have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), representing 98.8 per cent of eligible voters across the 21 local government areas (LGAs). Only 33,653 PVCs remain uncollected.
Aguata LGA recorded 150,575 collections out of 155,881 registered voters (96.6 per cent). Ayamelum followed with 96,334 out of 96,947, while Anambra East had 109,418 of 110,482 collected. Anambra West recorded 70,618 out of 71,332, and Anaocha had 121,787 of 124,075 collected.
Awka North saw 84,415 out of 85,054 collected, while Awka South, one of the most populous LGAs, had 214,841 out of 216,611. Dunukofia recorded 82,477 of 83,580, Ekwusigo 90,900 of 91,549, Idemili North—the largest LGA with 246,318 registered voters—recorded 243,873 collections, and Idemili South 124,505 of 125,632.
Ihiala recorded 152,777 out of 156,715 collected; Njikoka 117,598 of 119,608; Nnewi North 165,394 of 166,400; Nnewi South 101,700 of 102,907; Ogbaru 186,103 of 188,016; and Onitsha North 180,573 out of 183,647.
Onitsha South recorded 168,130 of 168,575; Orumba North 102,471 of 102,977; Orumba South 84,152 of 85,767; and Oyi 120,496 of 120,717, leaving only 221 uncollected—the lowest in the state.
Idemili North leads with the highest number of registered voters and total PVCs collected, followed by Awka South. Anambra West has the fewest registered voters, followed by Dunukofia. Oyi LGA has the highest collection rate in the state at 99.82 per cent, while Aguata has the lowest at 96.6 per cent.
Overall, 16 LGAs recorded collection rates above 99 per cent, indicating near-universal readiness.
The figures mark a significant improvement from the 2021 governorship election, which had 2,525,471 registered voters and 2,117,323 PVC collections. However, only 253,388 voters were accredited to vote. That election saw a historic low turnout of 10.1 per cent, with 249,631 total votes cast—compared with 22 per cent in 2017, 24 per cent in 2013, 16 per cent in 2010, 63 per cent in 2007, 47.2 per cent in 2003 and 46 per cent in 1999.
Governor Charles Soludo won in 2021 with 112,229 votes, followed by Andy Uba (53,807) and Valentine Ozigbo (43,285).
Already, Yiaga Africa has warned that voter turnout may fall below 20 per cent due to growing apathy and declining public trust in the electoral process.
In a pre-election statement issued on Thursday and signed by Asmau Maikudi, chair of the 2025 Anambra Election Observation Mission, and Samson Itodo, executive director of Yiaga Africa, the organisation said the political atmosphere in the state “has remained relatively passive, with voters almost disinterested in participating in voter engagement activities.”
The group noted that “narratives indicating a lack of trust in the electoral process and outcomes are prevalent across different communities in the state,” adding that young people appear the least interested.
The organisation warned that if this trend continues, it could further undermine electoral legitimacy.
“Given this trend, and Anambra’s historical record of low voter turnout, there are serious concerns that the 2025 governorship election may witness turnout rates below 20 per cent, further weakening electoral legitimacy,” Yiaga Africa stated.
It urged all stakeholders, including political parties, INEC, and security agencies, to take urgent steps to rebuild public confidence and encourage voter participation.
Increase voter registration amid voter apathy
Despite the steady decline in voter turnout on election days, Anambra State has consistently improved its tally of registered voters. Former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, noted that Anambra has continued to record growth in voter registration after each Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, attributing it to increased awareness and civic mobilisation.
In 2013, Anambra had 1,784,536 registered voters; in 2015, 1,963,173; in 2017, 2,158,171; and in 2019, 2,437,996, showing steady increases across six election cycles.
However, some residents told Weekend Trust that despite the awareness, voter apathy remains a concern.
“I don’t care about their election; whoever they choose is okay,” said a shop attendant who declined to be named.
A bus driver added, “So long as they don’t come to my house to arrest me, I’ll be sleeping throughout the day.”
Analysts, residents weigh in on key issues
Observers say performance, acceptability and zoning will largely determine the outcome of the election.
Political analyst Okechukwu Maduforo said Governor Soludo faces his toughest challenge from the APC candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu.
“I don’t expect magic; if the APC wins, it would be a major upset,” Maduforo said. “Soludo has done well in infrastructure, employment and security and deserves a second term.”
He added that the Labour Party’s “Obidient” wave has waned. “Although their candidate is from the same zone as Soludo and promised a single term, he may not be the preferred choice for many Obidients. The PDP candidate, Jude Ezenwafor, is young and lacks the political weight to make an impact. Many PDP chieftains are either backing Soludo or have moved to APGA,” he said.
Another analyst, David Eleke, noted that “the atmosphere is charged, but voter mobilisation remains a major issue.”
“We have 16 parties, but only six are visible. Factors like religion and zoning, though unwritten, still shape Anambra politics. Those outside Anambra South may make an impact but won’t win,” he said, predicting a close race between APGA and APC.
Civil society warns on voter apathy, institutional fragility
Civil society groups have urged authorities to address threats of voter suppression and institutional weakness ahead of the polls.
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD–West Africa) identified Ihiala, Nnewi South and Orumba South—particularly Lilu, Azia and Amorka—as flashpoints.
“Weak oversight of vigilante groups and longstanding violence contribute to low voter turnout risk,” said Professor Victor Adetula, Chair of CDD’s Election Analysis Centre.
He and analyst Ernest Aniche called for professional conduct by security agencies and impartial voter protection.
Similarly, Faith Nwadishi, Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency and Advocacy (CTA), urged INEC to curb vote-buying and illicit funding.
Nwadishi said the CTA, in partnership with the Koyenum Immalah Foundation, ran a voter education campaign in Orumba South from September 15 to 30, aimed at discouraging malpractice and boosting participation.
EU observers speak on security
Ahead of the poll, a European Union observation group has also expressed concern over security breaches, poor gender inclusion, and other governance challenges in the state.
The concerns were raised in Abuja during the public presentation of the Anambra Governorship Pre-Election Report organised by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II.
Presenting the findings, Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), said the research, conducted between June and September 2025, revealed serious security gaps, including the alleged misuse of vigilante groups for attacks on candidates, movement restrictions likely to suppress turnout, and inadequate coordination of security deployments and early warning responses.
The report identified distinct risks across the state’s three senatorial zones: Anambra South was linked to cult violence, kidnappings and ballot snatching; Anambra Central to disinformation, elite power struggles and youth gang mobilisation; while Anambra North faced land and resource conflicts as well as flood disruptions.
It also expressed concern over limited participation of women, noting that only two out of 16 candidates are female, with factors such as online abuse, discriminatory party structures, safety threats, and gender-blind media coverage worsening their exclusion.
Similarly, the report raised issues about the state’s media environment, pointing to harassment of journalists, inadequate support when equipment is seized, and general voter apathy.
On electoral preparations, the EU group acknowledged INEC’s progress, including the registration of over 168,000 new voters—mostly women and youths—but said the late opening of polling units, which affected about 73 per cent of past elections, remains a concern.
It commended the 86 per cent PVC collection rate among persons with disabilities (PWDs), describing it as “a measure of progress”, and called for assistive tools such as Braille guides, magnifiers, sign language interpreters and large-print materials to ensure inclusive participation.
“Off-cycle elections like Anambra’s serve as a barometer for gauging Nigeria’s readiness for the 2027 general elections,” Arogundade said. “This underscores the need for stronger collaboration among security agencies, INEC, the media and civil society to safeguard the credibility of the process.”
Despite pre-election fears, stakeholders say the security environment is relatively calm compared to 2021, when violence linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led to voter apathy and a turnout of just 10 per cent.
“There are no reports of IPOB activity or cult-related violence this time,” Maduforo said. “The environment appears peaceful and conducive for voting.”
