Youths jubilating at APCs Ukochukwu home for wining in his polling unit
Drama as voters protest over missing result sheet
‘I will win if votes count’ – Soludo declares, accuses opponents of vote-buying
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has just voted in his polling, Ofiyi Square, Polling Unit 002, Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area.
Soludo voted at exactly 1:25 pm. He arrived the polling unit and was quickly accredited and he went on to cast his vote.
Meanwhile, over 400 voters are still waiting to vote at the centre. The delay is as a result of the fact that only one BVAS machine was made available to the centre.
Meanwhile, the governor who spoke to journalists, said he was confident of victory.
He said he has heard that his opponents were buying votes, adding that he is confident of winning the election if the votes count.
He said: “The election has been relatively peaceful and going on very peacefully, except for some places where we have gotten reports of difficulty.
“We have witnessed glitches here and there, like some polling units in Olumbanasa where the BVAS were not working very well. We have also received reports about Nnewi South Local Government Area, where someone was sharing N15,000 for votes, maybe because he is desperate to win in that local government.
“I heard it and I said, don’t mind. Even if they share N100,000, let the people just vote and let the votes count. We are fairly convinced that on the basis of one man one vote, we are going to win landslide, there is not question about that.”
The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, has cast his vote, alleging vote buying and intimidation of his party’s agents in the ongoing 2025 Anambra governorship election.
Ukachukwu, who voted at his polling unit in Osumenyi Ward 2, Polling Unit 012, described the development as a threat to democracy.
“If there’s no seller, there cannot be a buyer. Some people have chosen to sell their conscience, which is even worse than those buying votes.
“When you give up your right for money, you lose your voice as a citizen. You can’t cry later, society must be blamed for encouraging this,” the APC candidate said after casting his vote.
He added that one of his agents was assaulted during the voting exercise.
When asked about the situation in Ihiala, one of the state’s flashpoints, Ukachukwu said there had been no major violence or casualties so far.
Meanwhile, the election has caused traffic disruptions in Onitsha, as security officials cordoned off the Niger Bridge to restrict movement and ensure the safe transport of election materials and personnel.
Voting continues across Anambra’s 21 local government areas, with over 5,700 polling units open. By 8:30 a.m., accreditation and voting had commenced peacefully in areas such as Fegge Community Primary School, Onitsha.
Anambra election: Soludo arrives polling unit
The governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has arrived his polling unit, Ofiyi Square, Polling Unit 002, Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area of the state.
Soludo arrived at 1:15 pm, joining a large number of voters who are yet to get accreditation before voting.
The unit has the largest voting strength in the local government with 933 voters.
As at 1:00 pm when DAILY POST arrived at the polling unit, no fewer that 400 voters were patiently waiting as the process delayed due the provision of only one BVAS machine.
Senator Nwoye casts vote, praises security operatives for maintaining peace
The Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Senator Dr. Tony Nwoye, has cast his vote in Nsugbe Ward 1, in Anambra East Local Government Area.
Nwoye, who was among the early voters, told reporters he was unimpressed with the voter turnout. He said that preliminary reports he is getting across the state indicate that there may be voter apathy.
The Senator commended the efforts of security operatives and praised the electorate for maintaining calm and order in the course of the voting process.
At Odubo Polling Unit 006, Nteje, there was a heavy presence of security operatives, yet reports of voter influence by party agents persisted.
Party representatives were seen strategically positioned near the polling booth, whispering to voters and allegedly urging them to display their ballot papers after thumbprinting; a move suspected to be linked to financial inducement.
Surprisingly, security agents at the scene appeared indifferent to the conduct, watching as the interactions unfolded.
As of 11:15 a.m., a long queue of voters was still waiting patiently to cast their ballots, even as the atmosphere remained tense but calm.
Large voter turn out at Peter Obi’s polling units in Agulu
A visit to the polling units of the former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election has shown a large voter turnout.
The voters, who were mainly aged women, were seen sitting patiently at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi, Agulu Ward 2, Anaocha Local Government Area.
The women waited patiently while INEC officials accredited voters who proceeded to the voting point.
Some voters at the polling units applauded the turnout, saying that more people might still arrive at the unit.
Voting going on smoothly at about 9:23 am in PU:013, Registration Area14:umeleri II, all in Anambra East LG
Only APGA, APC present agents in most Awka polling units
Two political parties, whose candidates are deemed to be the top contenders in today’s governorship election in Anambra, have proven to be truly dominant in the state by presenting agents in most of the polling units visited.
In most polling units around the state capital, Awka, only the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had their party agents on the ground.
At Awka Ward VI, polling units 010, 024, and 025, which are domiciled at Federal Government Technical College (GTC), only the two parties presented agents.
While Mr. John Morah identified himself as an agent of the APC, APGA was represented by Mr. Chukwuma Anekwe.
Voting going on smoothly at about 9:23 am in PU:013, Registration Area14:umeleri II, all in Anambra East LG
Anambra Decides: Vote commences in polling units
The Anambra State governorship election has commenced in some polling units.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC posted an update from some polling units in the Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.
The post reads, “Voting has commenced at RA 10: Enugwu Ukwu II, PU 003 & PU 004, Njikoka LGA”.
The commission had earlier assured eligible voters participating in the election that their votes will count.
“Be counted, be heard. Step out and vote peacefully. Every vote must count”, the electoral umpire wrote.
It also warned against vote selling, saying “your vote is not for sale.”
INEC officials Arrive in Awka as voting gets underway
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have finally arrived at some polling units in Awka, the state capital, for today’s election.
At Agu Awka, polling units 008 and 022 at Aroma, Awka South Local Government Area, shouts of victory were heard from expected voters.
Officials are already pasting the names of eligible voters in preparation for the commencement of voting.
Despite assurances that voting would commence at 8 a.m. on Saturday, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not arrived at polling units in Awka as of 8:30 a.m.
A visit to Agu Awka polling units 008 and 022 at Aroma Junction, just a few meters from the INEC headquarters, showed that officials were yet to arrive.
An accredited observer of INEC from JDPC, a non-governmental organization run by the Catholic Church, Mr. Charles Kwentoh, expressed disappointment at the delay, despite earlier assurances that voting would begin at 8 a.m.
The Anambra off-circle governorship election will be held today, Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Anambra is one of the eight states where elections are held outside of the general election timetable.
Among those states are Bayelsa, Kogi, Anambra, Imo, Osun, Ondo, Edo, and Ekiti.
Anambra joined in off-circle governorship election in 2003 after the court sacked Chris Ngige, a candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who was declared the winner of the state governorship election and installed Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, after a two-year tribunal case at the Court of Appeal in Enugu.
About sixteen candidates have been listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to run for this year’s election.
Onyeeze Chidi – A
Nweke Ezechukwu – Japhet – AA
Ifemeludike Chioma Grace – AAC
Nwosu Chima John – ADC
Ukachukwu Nicholas – APC
Soludo Charles – APGA
Otti Cyprian Echezona – APM.
Nweke Christopher
Chukwudubem – APP
Okeke Chika Jerry – BP
Moghalu George – LP
Onyejgbu Geoffrey – NNPP
Ndidi Christy Olieh – NRM
Ezenwafor Jude – PDP
Chukwurah Vincent – SDP
Chukwuma Paul Chukwuka -YPP and last but not the least,
Ugwoji Uchenna – ZLP
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan, on several occasions reaffirmed the Commission’s total readiness for the Anambra State Governorship.
He said that the Commission has deployed a total of 24,000 personnel for the polls and that election will hold in 5,718 of the 5720 PUs, citing lack of voters at the two PUs left out.
The incumbent governor, Soludo, remains a major contender in the governorship race.
Follow this thread for updates and results of the Anambra State governorship election.
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Peoples Democratic Party to resolve its internal crisis, calling for the dissolution of the recent Ibadan elective convention and the immediate formation of a national caretaker committee.
Lamido made the call on Thursday while addressing his supporters—including former local government chairmen, ex-commissioners, and other political appointees—who paid him a solidarity visit at his Sharada office in Kano.
He expressed concern over the lingering crisis within the party, stating that long-time stakeholders like himself have been sidelined by “new forces” within the PDP.
“The current turmoil in the party is partly linked to efforts to undermine my political relevance,” Lamido said.
He insisted that his legal actions were not aimed at forcing himself into party leadership, but rather to protect the PDP’s legacy and defend his fundamental rights, which he said had been violated.
He stressed that, as things stand, Umar Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu remain the legitimate leaders of the party until their tenure expires on December 8, 2025.
He warned that allowing the party to continue without clear leadership structures could jeopardise the future of aspirants, serving officeholders, and those planning to recontest positions.
“I am pushing for a caretaker committee. I am calling on Wike, Damagum, and others to forgive one another and support the formation of a unified caretaker body,” Lamido said.
The former governor urged PDP leaders to convene a joint meeting to honestly address the party’s challenges and restore it to its rightful place in national politics.
He also appealed to his supporters to remain calm and patient until December 8 to see how events unfold.
PUNCH Online reports that the PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis.
The friction intensified after a faction led by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, pushed forward with convention preparations despite a ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the party from proceeding.
At the same time, another court decision — by an Oyo State High Court — granted the PDP clearance to go ahead with the convention, creating conflicting legal directives and deepening the confusion.
The internal strife further worsened when members of a rival faction, aligned with Nyesom Wike and some national working committee officials, announced a boycott of the Ibadan convention, declaring it illegal and unconstitutional.
Several state chapters — including that of Rivers State — publicly rejected the convention and refused to partake, citing breakdowns in communication and disregard for due process.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has reaffirmed his commitment to the All Progressives Congress, dismissing reports alleging that he plans to defect to the African Democratic Congress.
The governor was reacting to a social media claim accusing him of secretly visiting former Senate President in the aborted Third Republic, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to perfect a defection plan.
Ayu, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, was removed after the party’s 2023 presidential primary crisis.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Terso, Alia described the report as “laughable, wicked, mischievous, and a vicious smear campaign” aimed at distracting him from governance and misleading the Presidency for selfish political motives.
The statement was titled “Mischievous fake story on Governor Alia’s alleged defection to ADC.”
The governor explained that his recent visits to respected Benue elders, including Senator Ayu, had no political or religious undertone but reflected his administration’s inclusive approach.
He listed other prominent figures he had met—among them Senator Prof. David Iornem, Elder David Iorwashima Amo, and Ambassador Terhemen Tarzoor—as part of efforts to woo more stakeholders into the APC.
“Opposition structures across Benue State are collapsing daily into the APC,” the statement added, noting that defection ceremonies were taking place in virtually all local government areas, with influential figures joining the ruling party in large numbers.
Alia restated his resolve to build a united and dominant APC in the state, saying he was prepared to engage even “the fiercest political opponents” as part of a broader consolidation strategy ahead of 2027 for both his administration and President Bola Tinubu.
He urged the public to disregard the rumour, warning that it was intended to sow confusion and undermine the party’s growing strength.
Governor Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, have been locked in a protracted battle for control of the Benue APC, resulting in deep factionalisation.
A recent impeachment plot against Alia was foiled, leading to the removal and suspension of the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hyacinth Dajoh.
Alia’s administration recently demolished a part of the campaign office of President Bola Tinubu in Makurdi, Benue State.
The building, which also serves as the state secretariat of the Ahmed Bola Tinubu Support Group, had its perimeter fence pulled down during the operation carried out by the Benue State Urban Development Board.
Alia also recently stirred controversy after declaring that there is no Christian genocide in Benue State, a position that put him at odds with the Catholic Church in the state.
The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order nullifying the party’s convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16 by the faction aligned with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
The suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/250/2025, has as plaintiffs the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
They are asking the court to declare the convention and all resolutions “null, void and of no effect.”
They want the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the convention.
The move follows earlier legal actions by aggrieved PDP members who argued that proceeding with the convention violated the party’s internal rules, the Electoral Act, and other statutory provisions.
Previous complainants include Imo PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia PDP Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and South-South PDP Secretary Turnah Alabh George.
On October 31, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained INEC from recognising the convention.
In a separate suit, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido successfully challenged his exclusion from purchasing a nomination form to contest for national chairman, with Justice Peter Lifu ordering that the convention should not proceed unless he was allowed to obtain the form.
In contrast, Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, issued an interim order permitting the PDP to hold the convention as scheduled.
Despite the conflicting rulings, the party went ahead with the Ibadan event under heavy security, during which Anyanwu, Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, and eight others were expelled.
In the new suit dated November 21, the plaintiffs listed 18 defendants, including INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, the State Security Service, and several PDP officials.
They allege the convention was conducted “in flagrant disregard” of three subsisting Federal High Court orders and seek to prevent recognition of the new officers, restore access to party offices at Wadata Plaza and Legacy House, and compel security agencies to enforce the earlier judgments.
The plaintiffs also request judicial determination on whether any authority can lawfully recognise the Ibadan convention in light of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the PDP constitution.
The suit has not yet been assigned to a judge, and no hearing date has been fixed.
