Obi Calls For Transparency, Fairness In Anambra Gov. Poll

Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has urged political actors, electoral officials, and residents to ensure transparency, fairness and peace in Saturday’s November 8, 2025 governorship election in the state.

Speaking with journalists at his Agulu residence in the Anaocha Local Government Area on Wednesday, Obi appealed to voters to participate actively in the electoral process while calling on political contenders to conduct themselves responsibly.
He said his key concern was the integrity of the exercise.

“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 that wins, wins for the development of the state.”
Obi described all major candidates, including incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo (APGA), Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC) and Chief George Moghalu (Labour Party), as friends but stated that he will support his party’s candidate.

“All the contestants, including the incumbent governor, are my friends. But I will vote for the candidate of my party, and I urge every other voter in Anambra State to go out and vote for the candidate of their choice.”

He also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to uphold neutrality and professionalism.
He called on them to “respect the rule of law and prioritise the state’s peace and security.”

Ahead of the poll, several political parties said they remained confident that INEC would deliver a credible election.
This comes as the Nigeria Police Force concluded special training for the 45,000 personnel deployed to the state.

The officers were on Wednesday dispatched to their various units, some moving with mattresses and other personal belongings.
INEC has also held stakeholder meetings with election observers, ad hoc staff, and other critical groups.

The Special Assistant on Media to Labour Party candidate Dr George Moghalu, Johnson Okoye, said the massive police deployment was reassuring.
“Now that all political parties and their candidates have signed the Peace Accord, it is indeed a commendable step in the right direction.”
“We have confidence in INEC to conduct a free, fair, and credible election on Saturday.”

He however urged INEC to ensure early deployment of materials, efficient BVAS usage and electronic transmission of results.
Okoye also warned against vote-buying.
“Vote-buying has remained a major threat to our democracy and must be decisively dealt with.”

Also, the spokesman for YPP candidate Sir Paul Chukwuma, Ebuka Onyekwelu, also expressed confidence in INEC but warned against alleged plans to use the Anambra Vigilante Group to influence the process.

“We are concerned about the current administration’s plan to deploy Anambra Vigilante Group and use them to distort the will of the people…”
He added that vote-buying remained a major concern.
Similarly, the governorship candidate of the African Action Alliance, Chioma Ifemeludike, said Saturday’s poll would serve as the “acid test” for INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan.
“Everyone is watching him, the international community, the electorates, the politicians. We are all expecting that he does the right thing and that he makes history.”

She emphasised the need for strict discipline among INEC staff and proper functioning of BVAS machines.
“He should ensure that vote-buying does not become the issue of the day… and that the votes count and reflect the choice of ndi Anambra State.”