Anambra Poll: Obi Calls for Peaceful Election

Addressing journalists at his residence in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, on Wednesday, Obi urged the residents to turn out in mass and exercise their democratic and civil rights. The former Anambra governor urged political actors to respect the rule of law and prioritise the state’s peace and security, stressing that politicians must pursue their interests within the confines of the law. He said, “My interest in this Anambra 2025 governorship election is a peaceful process before, during, and after the exercise. I want a peaceful, free and fair election. This election is for Ndi-Anambra, and anyone who wins, wins for the development of the state. “All the contestants, including the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress and my party’s candidate, Chief George Moughalu of the Labour Party, are my friends. “But I will vote for the candidate of my party, and I urged every other voter-card-carrying resident in Anambra State to go out and vote for the candidate of their choice.” Obi, however, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to uphold their constitutional responsibilities by ensuring neutrality and professionalism during the electoral exercise. Punch Online had reported that the INEC had declared full readiness for the governorship election slated for Saturday, November 8, 2025, across the 5,718 wards across the state. The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during a stakeholders meeting in Awka, said about 24,000 ad hoc staff will be deployed, while about 540 journalists have been accredited to cover the election, adding that the commission is fully committed to the governorship poll in line with its commitment to credible and inclusive elections. He said the Commission has been implementing a comprehensive plan of activities covering logistics, technology, training, stakeholder engagement, and security coordination, including the conduct of a mock accreditation exercise, which was conducted across selected polling units in three senatorial districts of the state on Saturday. According to INEC, 16 candidates from 16 political parties are contesting the governorship election to wrest power from the incumbent, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is also seeking reelection under the platform of APGA.