Anambra Poll: Parties Should Be Blamed If There’s Voter Apathy — Yiaga Africa

The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has said that political parties should be held accountable if voter apathy occurs in Saturday’s Anambra 2025 governorship election.

Itodo made the remark on Saturday while speaking with reporters, noting, “I think if there’s one aspect most political parties have failed, it’s in voter mobilisation. If parties are serious about electoral competition, voters are their major clients and targets.”

According to him, political parties must take full responsibility if voters fail to show up at polling units.

“It’s either they’re not communicating effectively, not reaching voters, or voters don’t trust them,” he added.

Itodo explained that many voters may feel disconnected from the process because they see no real hope in the candidates presented.

“Parties need to do a better job of mobilising their voters. Enticing people to show up is unacceptable. Parties must outline clear developmental programmes that voters can believe in,” he said.

On security, the Yiaga Africa director identified Anambra South Senatorial District as a major hotspot, noting that several leading candidates hail from the area.

“Most hotspots are in Anambra South — including Ihiala, Nnewi, and Aguata. Aguata is a battleground senatorial district because most major party candidates come from there. Anambra Central, Awka South, and Idemili North are also competitive areas,” Itodo said.

He commended the smooth start of the election, confirming that no major security breaches had been recorded as of Saturday morning.

“So far, we haven’t recorded any incident undermining the security of this election,” he stated, expressing hope that adequate security would be maintained throughout the day.

Meanwhile, INEC officials began deploying early to polling stations in Awka South Local Government Area. At St. Matthew Catholic Church, officials were seen leaving for various polling units, while ad hoc staff arrived at the Community Primary School, Amawbia, covering Wards 01 and 02, at exactly 7:07 a.m.

Buses transporting election materials were also seen departing as deployment continued across the area.

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

The election spans three senatorial districts, with sixteen candidates contesting. Prominent contenders include Governor Chukwuma Soludo (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), Paul Chukwuma (YPP), George Moghalu (LP), and Jude Ezenwafor (PDP).

The Commissioner of Police for the election, Abayomi Shogunle, has also assured residents of a peaceful exercise, particularly in flashpoint areas such as Ihiala.

He confirmed that security agencies had conducted clearance operations in high-risk zones and neutralised major threats ahead of the poll.