A call has been made for strict security measures ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.
A non- partisan Pan African organisation, championing women participation and representation in politics, ElectHer, made the call at the Anambra 2025 Off-Cycle Election Stakeholders Roundtable held in Awka on Wednesday, 15th September, 2025.
Speaking on the occasion which attracted security agencies, civil society and the media, the ElectHer Chief Executive Officer Ibijoke Faborode,warned that Anambra State faces serious security threats ahead of the November 8, governorship election.Faborode presented a pre-election assessment data, showing that most of the state local government Councils were on “red alert” for violence, with only Ayamelum and Oyi LGAs classified safe.
The Electher Chief Executive Officer cautioned that unless urgent steps are taken to curb insecurity, the state may witness violence and voter apathy on the election day .
She stressed the need for traditional rulers, community leaders and grassroots intelligence networks to assist in complementing the efforts of formal security agencies, and called for punitive measure against local operatives involved in electoral violence.
On women participation, she revealed that despite high PVC collection, female representation at the governorship level remains low at 12.5%, a meager marginal increase from 11.76% in 2021.
Adding her voice, 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.
Also speaking, the Secretary, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Eminent Uzochukwu, observed that insecurity has made voting impossible in some communities in Ihiala, noting that women could drive change if better mobilized, given their numerical strength.
Commenting, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra, ASC Victor Obunne, linked voters apathy to unfulfilled political promises and money politics, urging youths to reject inducements that stifle genuine participation.
The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD expressed the readiness of journalists in the state to bring to limelight, all aspects of electoral activities.
Dr. Odogwu, represented by Ukpa Ewa, asserted that media practitioners in Anambra state are better equipped now to cover and report electoral activities before, during and after the election.
He however, cautioned corrupt politicians against intimidating journalists on duty and advocated security agencies collaboration for safety.
