By peterside Rejoice
Voting began early on Saturday across several parts of Anambra State as residents came out in large numbers to participate in the 2025 governorship election. The exercise was marked by the early arrival of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, prompt deployment of election materials, and visible security presence at polling units.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the exercise reports that at Polling Units (PUs) 001, 002, and 003 located at Nwikpa Primary School, as well as PU 009 at Nkwo Market and PU 013 at Amaokwu Hall, all in Umunze Ward I, Orumba South Local Government Area, INEC officials arrived with voting materials as early as 8:10 a.m.
Voters were seen checking their names on the voters’ register, while accreditation and voting commenced almost immediately. Some electorates who arrived earlier had already cast their ballots peacefully before 9 a.m.
In Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area, electoral materials were also delivered on time. At about 8:15 a.m., officials were seen arranging ballot boxes and other materials in readiness for voting.
At PU 005, Amanudo; PU 014, Obi-Nkwo Square; PU 003, Agba Village Hall; and PU 004, Umueze Nwafor Primary School, INEC officials began the process by educating voters on the correct voting procedures, demonstrating how to thumbprint correctly and avoid invalid votes. They also pasted the voter registers on the walls to help voters locate their polling details easily.
As of the time of filing this report, voters were already on queues in an orderly manner, waiting for their turn to vote.
In Igbo-Ukwu community, located within the same Aguata axis, NAN observed that at PUs 003 and 004 at Obiuno Youth Centre, and PU 005 at Amakpu Square, election materials and officials arrived around 8:30 a.m. Accreditation and voting had commenced simultaneously, with the process described as smooth and peaceful.
Voting was also underway at Eze Chima Primary School along Awka Road, Onitsha, while at All Saints Primary School, Onitsha, INEC officials were still setting up materials as of 8:30 a.m., and voting had not yet begun.
One of the remarkable scenes of the day was the presence of 110-year-old Papa Onwujiobi Nwafor, who arrived early at Ward 13, Unit 002, Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, to cast his vote. The centenarian, who walked with the aid of his grandchildren, expressed delight at being alive to participate in another democratic process, describing it as his civic duty and legacy to younger generations.
Security presence was noticeable at all polling units visited. Armed police officers, members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other paramilitary agencies were deployed to ensure a peaceful atmosphere. Movement of unauthorised persons and vehicles was restricted across most parts of the state.
NAN reports that as of the time of this report, accreditation and voting were ongoing simultaneously in most polling centres, with no major incidents of violence or disruption recorded.
The Anambra governorship election is expected to be a keenly contested race among major political parties, with voters hopeful that the outcome will reflect their will and bring renewed development to the state.
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