Ahead of the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured of its unwavering commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and credibility.
Speaking at separate meetings with Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, and Media Executives in Abuja, on Wednesday, the Acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu disclosed that 10 out of 13 activities in the election timetable had been completed.
According to her the remaining three activities: publication of Notice of Poll, end of campaigns, and election day are proceeding as scheduled.
Agbamuche-Mbu expressed gratitude for the support of civil society and the media, reaffirming INEC’s readiness for the Anambra election.
“All non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the state, while voter education and sensitisation are in full swing,” she said.
The Acting Chairman also announced that INEC’s Media Accreditation Portal, which opened on September 1, had received applications from 43 media organisations seeking accreditation for 363 personnel.
She reminded journalists that the portal would close at midnight on October 24 with no extension and that all accreditation tags carry security codes verifiable by security agencies.
“We urge accredited journalists to carry out their duties professionally and always verify information with the Commission before publication,” she said.
Beyond Anambra, Agbamuche-Mbu briefed stakeholders on ongoing preparations for the FCT Area Council Elections slated for February 2026, as well as the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise running until August 2026.
She noted the high turnout for voter registration as evidence of Nigerians’ renewed faith in democracy.
Reiterating INEC’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and credibility, she stressed that stakeholder collaboration remains central to building trust in the electoral process.
“Our democracy is stronger when citizens are informed, engaged, and confident in the process. We will continue to work hand in hand with civil society, the media, and all stakeholders to safeguard the vote and deepen our democratic culture,” she said.
During the meeting, the stakeholders pledged to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible exercise.
Speaking on behalf of the civil society community, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, PAACA, congratulated Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu on her appointment as the second woman to lead INEC in an acting capacity.
He praised her continued openness to civil society and reaffirmed CSOs’ readiness to partner with the Commission in protecting the sanctity of the vote.
“Sub-national elections like Anambra’s depend greatly on the competence and integrity of Resident Electoral Commissioners and Electoral Officers who oversee them. We are confident that under your leadership, INEC will consolidate the gains of past reforms, especially the technological innovations that have enhanced transparency,” he said.
The media community also renewed its commitment to credible elections and professional reporting.
Comrade Yahaya Alhassan, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, commended INEC for its consistent engagement with the press, describing the media as a “vital partner in democracy” that not only reports elections but also strengthens public confidence in the process.
“The media must continue to inform citizens, hold political actors accountable, and report elections with fairness and accuracy.
“We also need stronger collaboration between INEC and journalists, including training, access to information, and support for fact-checking, to counter misinformation and protect the integrity of the process,” Alhassan said.
