Category Nigeria News

The incumbent Governor of Anambra State and Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has hinted at an alleged plan to rig the ongoing gubernatorial election in the state.

He alleged while casting his vote on Saturday at Polling Unit 002, Umuezeadigo Street in Isuofia, Aguata LGA.

Although the APGA candidate did not mention the name of the party involved, the APGA candidate said the plotters plan to “swap election results”.

“The only thing we hear that is actually a concern, and we hope won’t happen, is that one party (he laughs) has written results to swap during the collation process.

“We hear they have even had meetings with INEC not to upload the results so that they can have the opportunity to manipulate the results.”

He, however, said he was confident in the electoral system to deliver a free and fair election process.

“But we have confidence that the system will sort it all out.

“Our people are vigilant, organised and united. We will follow the process from the polling unit to collation at the ward, and from the ward to local governments and to the state.

“Once the system works, we do not doubt that we are gonna win the 21 local governments”, he said.

READ ALSO: Anambra Poll: APGA Will Win Landslide, Soludo Boasts

The incumbent governor is up against 15 other candidates in the keenly contested poll.

The 16 candidates contesting the election are Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Sir Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); Mr John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Dr George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP); Oti Echezona of Allied People’s Movement (APM); and Chief Jeff Nweke of Action Alliance (AA).

Others are Charles Onyeze of Accord; Geoffrey Onyejegbu of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP); Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Chukwududem Nweke of Action Peoples Party (APP); Jerry Okeke of Boot Party (BP); Martin Ugwoji of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); and Vincent Chukwurah of Social Democratic Party (SDP). The two female candidates are Ms. Chioma Ifemeludike of AAC and Ndidi Olieh of National Rescue Movement (NRM).

There are also six female deputy governorship candidates— Appolonia Ezeadili (Accord), Senator Uche Ekwunife (APC), Ebele Okeke (APP), Happiness Ugboma (BP), Veronica Okaro (LP), and Faith Obi (ZLP).

According to INEC, 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to vote across 5,718 polling units in the state’s 21 local government areas.

Residents of Taraba State in northeast Nigeria are heading to the polls to elect new chairmen to occupy 16 local government seats in the state.

The residents are also voting to elect new councillors to occupy 168 ward executive positions across the state.

Only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed candidates for the local government polls.

Unlike the previous elections, where vehicular movements were restricted, this election witnessed violations of such restrictions, with no security operatives halting vehicular movement.

Markets and other business premises were all open for businesses as usual.

Some residents who spoke to Channel Television revealed that they were not aware of the election, as no awareness or sensitisation was made ahead of the polls.

READ ALSO: Voting Commences In Anambra Governorship Election

The candidate of the PDP, Nura Dantsoho, who spoke to Channels Television shortly after casting his ballot at Sintali ward of Jalingo local government, promised inclusive governance that will ensure residents get dividends of democracy meant for them.

The ongoing 2025 Anambra governorship election has caused traffic disruptions in Onitsha, as trucks and vehicles remain stranded on the cordoned Niger Bridge.

Channels Television correspondent reported that access to the bridge was blocked to restrict movement and ensure the safe transport of election materials and personnel.

Some commercial trucks carrying goods were left idle, creating temporary congestion.

Meanwhile, voting continues across Anambra, with officials deploying to over 5,700 polling units in 21 local government areas. By 8:30 a.m., voting had commenced peacefully in areas including Onitsha’s Fegge Community Primary School.

READ ALSO: INEC Officials Frustrated As BVAS Malfunctions In Onitsha Community

Some residents in Nkwo Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, were seen trading despite the election, though market leaders later ordered shops closed to encourage voter participation.

INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan has urged adherence to the electoral process, noting that “no excuses for failure will be accepted.” Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle reassured residents that security threats have been neutralised across high-risk areas.

Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has distanced herself from a viral social media post falsely attributed to her, which criticised President Bola Tinubu over the way he handles insecurity in Nigeria.

A post via her verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, described the message as fake and malicious, stressing that it did not originate from her.

She cautioned the public against believing or sharing the false information, adding that legal steps were being taken against those behind the impersonation.

“Beware, this story going around on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook is false! We are taking action! The person who did this could not even spell my name,” she wrote.

The clarification comes following a post, titled “Trump didn’t ‘hit’ us – our leaders did,” which claimed that Okonjo-Iweala accused Nigerian leaders of prioritising rhetoric over decisive action against banditry and insurgency.

It also claimed that the former Minister of Finance urged Tinubu to “stop the damage control speeches” and “secure the people.”

Okonjo-Iweala, however, condemned the impersonation. She urged the culprits to take responsibility instead of hiding behind her identity.

“Whichever coward did this should write the message in their own name and not hide behind mine or anyone else’s! Scammers and 419ers, stop!” she added.

READ ALSO: [VIDEO] EFCC Officials Storm Anambra, Vote Buying Reported

Her reaction came amid renewed controversy over comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians were being targeted in Nigeria.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that the United States might “go in guns blazing” if the alleged killings continued.

Reacting to Trump’s genocide claims, Tinubu, in a post on X, emphasised that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that his administration actively engages leaders of all faiths to promote peace and security.

He rejected foreign portrayals of Nigeria as a religiously intolerant nation, describing them as inaccurate and inconsistent with the country’s diversity and unity.

The President said religious tolerance “has been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.”

The International Press Centre (IPC) has raised concerns over the late deployment of some INEC officials in Onitsha, which it said, created apprehension among voters.

Lanre Arogundade of IPC reported that some officials had to relocate from the INEC office due to inadequate facilities.

“At 8:30 a.m., officials were just about to leave for polling units. This delay is worrisome,” he said.

He noted that the first set of officials arrived at some polling units at 7:07 a.m., while others reached as late as 8:10 a.m. By 8:30 a.m., they had completed preparations, pasted voter registers, and were ready to start voting.

“These delays at the start of accreditation can create uncertainty. We hope officials arrive at all units on time,” Arogundade added

READ ALSO:  Shops Open As Nnewi Residents Shun Anambra Election

He also noted that no major incidents had occurred, but BVAS malfunctions could undermine credibility.

Meanwhile, Situation Room observer Dimma Nwobi alleged vote-buying in some areas.

EFCC officials were seen monitoring locations following these reports. Residents also reported minor BVAS issues as voting began.

Market Activity Amid Voting

In Nkwo Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, some traders opened shops despite the election.

Channels Television learned that they were activities initially before intervention by market leaders.

“When we arrived, business was ongoing. Market masters later ordered everyone to close and warned of a ₦10,000 fine for defaulters,” he said, noting that some traders admitted “disinterest” in voting.

According to INEC, Aguata has 150,575 collected PVCs. Across Anambra, 2,769,137 voters, representing 98.8% of registered voters, had collected cards, expected to vote at 5,718 polling units in 21 local government areas.

Officials deployed early to polling stations in Awka South, Amawbia, and Ekwulobia. Voting began peacefully at Fegge Community Primary School in Onitsha.

Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, said parties must take responsibility for voter apathy.

“If voters are not showing up, parties are failing in communication and trust,” he said.

Civil society representative Jake Epelle described the security atmosphere as calm. INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan was urged to ensure a credible process, noting that “no excuses for failure will be accepted.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is fully prepared to conduct a credible and transparent election as voters head to the polls in Anambra state on Saturday.

INEC’s Supervising National Commissioner, Ken Ukeagu, gave the assurance on the eve of the election during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, stressing that all logistics and technical arrangements had been finalised.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Meets Sultan, Reps Speaker At Presidential Villa

“The mandate is to go and give Nigerians, and Anambra people in particular, fair, credible and inclusive elections, and that is what we are going to do tomorrow,” he said.

The electoral commission has been under pressure to guarantee a smooth and credible process following challenges experienced in previous polls, including late arrival of materials, malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and logistical delays.

However, Ukeagu dismissed concerns over possible glitches, saying materials and personnel will arrive early at the polling units.

“There will be no glitches, no technical problems. Materials will arrive early, men will arrive early at the polling units, and we are going to give Anambra people credible elections tomorrow,” he stated.

He also confirmed that INEC was prepared for a possible runoff, in line with electoral laws.

“We are preparing for a runoff. You know, as a Commission, it’s part of the law, where no candidate meets the requirement of the law, we will certainly go for a runoff,” Ukeagu added.

Anambra, one of Nigeria’s politically active southeastern states, has witnessed intense campaign activities in recent weeks, with security agencies and election observers also putting final touches to their preparations.

According to him, election materials have already been distributed to Registration Area Centres (RACs) across the state, with vehicles and personnel on standby.

“The materials are already at the RACs. We moved them to the local government areas yesterday. Most of the RACs have been activated. Vehicles have been delivered, and we are set. Tomorrow morning, we will just move them to the polling units and wait for the Anambra people to come and vote.”