Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have finally arrived at several polling units in Awka, the Anambra State capital, as voting gets underway in today’s governorship election.
At Agu Awka, polling units 008 and 022 located at Aroma Junction, Awka South Local Government Area, shouts of excitement erupted from eager voters as INEC officials began pasting the names of eligible voters in preparation for the commencement of voting.
This development follows an earlier delay that saw no electoral officers present at the units as of 8:30 a.m., despite INEC’s assurance that voting would begin by 8:00 a.m.
An accredited observer with the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), a Catholic Church-run NGO, Mr. Charles Kwentoh, expressed disappointment over the late arrival of officials, noting that such delays could discourage voter turnout.
Today’s poll is part of the off-cycle governorship elections in eight Nigerian states, including Anambra, Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo, Osun, Ondo, Edo, and Ekiti.
Anambra joined the off-cycle election schedule in 2003 after the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Chris Ngige of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) the rightful winner.
This year, sixteen candidates are on the ballot, among them:
- Ukachukwu Nicholas (APC)
- Soludo Charles (APGA)
- Ezenwafor Jude (PDP)
- Moghalu George (LP)
- Chukwuma Paul Chukwuka (YPP)
and others representing smaller parties.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness for the election, revealing that over 24,000 personnel have been deployed across the state. Voting is expected to take place in 5,718 of the 5,720 polling units, with two units excluded due to lack of registered voters.
The incumbent governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, remains one of the leading contenders in the race.
Stay with us for live updates and official results from the Anambra State governorship election.
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