Group Raises Alarm over High Risk of Violence in Anambra Gubernatorial Election

By Ukpa Ewa

ElectHer a non- partisan Pan African organisation championing women participation and representation in politics has warned that Anambra State faces serious security threats ahead of the November 8, 2025 governorship election.

At the Anambra 2025 Off-Cycle Election Stakeholders Roundtable held in Awka with security agencies, civil society and the media, ElectHer Chief Executive Officer Ibijoke Faborode presented a preliminary pre-election assessment showing that most of the state local governments was on “red alert” for violence, with only Ayamelum and Oyi LGAs classified safe.

She cautioned that unless urgent steps are taken to guarantee security, the state may witness low voter turnout on election day.

Faborode also emphasized the role of traditional rulers, community leaders and grassroots intelligence networks in complementing formal security agencies, while calling for accountability of local operatives allegedly involved in violence.

On women participation, she revealed that despite high PVC collection, female representation at the governorship level remains low at 12.5%, a marginal increase from 11.76% in 2021.

Contributing, the Coordinator of Women in Politics Chief Ifeyinwa Ezenwa, decried the 0.6% representation of women in politics, blaming bullying, exclusion from constitutional reforms, and disenfranchisement through missing names on INEC lists.

Also speaking, the Secretary Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Uzochukwu Eminent said insecurity has made voting impossible in some Ihiala communities, noting that women could drive change if better mobilized given their numerical strength.

While the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) PRO in Anambra, ASC Obunne Victor, linked voter apathy to unfulfilled political promises and money politics, urging youths to reject inducements that stifle genuine participation.

The event was attended by stakeholders including the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD.