INEC Headquarters Team Storms Anambra, Assesses Logistics And Readiness For November Governorship Election With Optimism

 

A high-powered delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters has arrived in Anambra State to assess ongoing preparations for the November 8, 2025 Governorship Election. The four-man team is led by Prof. Rhoda Gumus, National Commissioner in charge of Election Planning and Monitoring. The visit marks a critical phase in INEC’s build-up toward ensuring a seamless and credible electoral process in the state, which is often regarded as a bellwether for democratic strength in the Southeast.

The delegation also includes notable figures such as Mr. Sam Olumekun, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC); Dr. Kenneth Ukeagu, who is directly supervising Anambra State; and Dr. Baba Bila, Chairman of the Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee. Together, they form a strategic task force charged with evaluating ground-level readiness and refining operational details ahead of the governorship poll.

Upon arrival at the INEC State Headquarters in Awka, the team received a warm welcome from the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, alongside other senior officials of the commission. The atmosphere at the headquarters reflected both determination and a sense of urgency as discussions centered on logistics, distribution of election materials, personnel deployment, and voter education strategies. Dr. Agwu, in her welcome address, highlighted the steady progress made by the state office, assuring the delegation that all preparations were on course and that the commission was working tirelessly to deliver a free and fair election.

Prof. Gumus, who led the visiting team, commended the state office for its proactive measures and meticulous planning. She emphasized that the commission’s central goal remains to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their franchise without hindrance. Her message underscored transparency, operational efficiency, and neutrality as key pillars guiding the commission’s activities ahead of the election.

During their visit, the officials embarked on field inspections across selected local government areas to gain firsthand insight into ongoing preparations. Their tour covered Dunukofia in Anambra Central Senatorial Zone and Oyi in Anambra North, where they assessed the batching of non-sensitive materials and monitored the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at Registration Area Centers in Ukpo and Nteje communities. The team interacted with local INEC staff, community leaders, and prospective voters, observing both the level of participation and the challenges encountered at grassroots level.

Feedback from the field was largely positive. The delegation expressed satisfaction with the organization of materials, the conduct of staff, and the turnout of voters collecting their PVCs. Prof. Gumus noted that such visits are crucial not only to evaluate physical readiness but also to reinforce confidence among the electorate. She encouraged voters to remain patient, cooperative, and law-abiding as the commission continues to refine logistics and conduct mock exercises to test operational systems.

A notable highlight of the team’s itinerary is its scheduled engagement with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and transport unions across the state. These meetings are expected to focus on ensuring secure movement of election materials, the safety of personnel, and effective coordination among security agencies. The commission has repeatedly emphasized that collaboration with relevant stakeholders is vital to achieving a peaceful and credible electoral process.

In the coming days, the team will also observe a mock accreditation exercise, an activity designed to test the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other technological tools intended for use during the election. The mock exercise is part of INEC’s broader strategy to identify potential glitches and rectify them before the main poll. Such proactive testing, according to Dr. Ukeagu, helps guarantee that no technical barriers disrupt the actual voting process.

Dr. Baba Bila, who oversees the Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee, highlighted the importance of efficient logistics as the backbone of any successful election. He stressed that the timely movement of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials, coupled with proper coordination among staff, remains a top priority. He further assured that the commission’s logistics plan for Anambra is being tailored to local realities, factoring in terrain, population density, and accessibility of remote communities.

The REC, Dr. Agwu, reaffirmed that the Anambra office of INEC has maintained consistent engagement with political parties, traditional institutions, civil society groups, and the media to strengthen voter confidence. She stated that public enlightenment campaigns have been intensified to ensure voters are fully informed about the process, particularly the use of BVAS and other innovations designed to enhance transparency.

As the delegation rounds off its mission in Anambra, optimism remains high that the state will witness a well-organized and credible election. The team’s findings will feed into a comprehensive readiness report to be presented at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, guiding final operational adjustments before election day.

The commission, through its leadership, once again reassured the public of its unwavering commitment to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. It urged citizens, political actors, and stakeholders to support the collective effort to sustain democratic progress in Anambra State.

With less than a month to the governorship election, the latest visit by the high-level INEC team signals a renewed drive toward perfection in electoral planning and execution. Stakeholders across the state are hopeful that this meticulous approach will translate into a peaceful, transparent, and credible exercise that reflects the true will of the people.