The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has commended Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for the significant strides made in improving security across the state, noting that the peaceful atmosphere is a major boost ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship election.
Prof. Yakubu made the commendation on Thursday, June 26, during his opening remarks at the second quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, held at the INEC Conference Room in Abuja.
According to a statement by Mazi Ejimofor, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Soludo, the INEC Chairman praised the governor’s security interventions, which he said have led to a remarkable improvement in the safety and peace enjoyed in Anambra.
“The prevailing atmosphere in Anambra State is calm and peaceful,” Prof. Yakubu was quoted as saying. “This is a welcome development as the Commission intensifies preparations for the November governorship election.”
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He urged Governor Soludo to sustain the current security momentum and continue strengthening the existing security architecture to ensure a smooth, credible, and violence-free electoral process.
Prof. Yakubu, while reflecting on past experiences, recalled the severe security challenges that plagued the build-up to the 2021 governorship election in Anambra. He lamented that INEC’s State Headquarters in Awka was attacked and partially burned, resulting in the destruction of several Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.
“In addition to the attack on our headquarters, several INEC Local Government offices were also torched, with election materials worth billions of naira lost. Tragically, our staff were also assaulted and injured,” he recounted.
He emphasized that the peaceful environment currently being experienced in Anambra must be preserved to avoid a repeat of the chaos that characterized the 2021 election period.
Prof. Yakubu reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to partnering with all political parties, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders to deliver a free, fair, and credible governorship election in November.