politics

Egbetokun Warns Anambra Eelection Offenders of Arrest

Published

1 year ago

November 5, 2025

Egbetokun warns that anyone attempting to disrupt the Anambra governorship election will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted under the law

Egbetokun warns Anambra election offenders ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll, insisting that anyone caught attempting to disrupt the process would face immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution.

Also read: Kebbi State Police Command Disburses ₦33.8m to Fallen Officers’ Families

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, gave the warning in Abuja on Tuesday during the Cleen Foundation 2025 Anambra Governorship Election Security Threat Assessment Dissemination.

Represented by Acting Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, from the Operations Department, the police chief said the force would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the credibility of the election or breach public peace.

“We have made all necessary arrangements to provide security at INEC offices, for officials, observers, and law-abiding citizens,” he stated. “Anybody who tries to cause problems, the law will be applied.”

Egbetokun also reminded political parties, candidates and their supporters of the peace accord they signed, warning that violations would attract strict sanctions.

The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, represented by ACG of Operations, David Ojelabi, echoed similar sentiments, cautioning voters against disorderly conduct and urging full cooperation with security personnel.

“With the number of personnel on ground, we are confident that Anambra will witness a violence-free election on Saturday,” Audi said.

Meanwhile, Mr Salaudeen Hashim, Director of Programmes at Cleen Foundation, said the organisation’s updated Security Threat Assessment aims to help agencies identify and mitigate potential risks ahead of the polls.

He noted a rise in pre-election tensions and distrust in the neutrality of security operatives, stressing the need for retraining and stronger accountability mechanisms.

“Our findings indicate a high likelihood of pre-election violence, which requires urgent measures to prevent escalation,” he explained.

Hashim also urged the media to counter misinformation and avoid sensationalism that could inflame tensions.

Also read: INEC Accredits 76 Media Houses for Anambra Election

He concluded that the 2025 Anambra governorship election would serve as a key test of Nigeria’s ability to balance democratic values with effective security management.

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politics

2027: Political Parties Mobilise Thousands of Polling Agents

Published

5 hours ago

November 8, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Political parties in Nigeria have intensified the recruitment and training of polling agents ahead of the 2027 general elections, as preparations shift towards securing representation at polling units across the country.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are putting structures in place to monitor voting, counting and collation of results.

The development comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) introduces an electronic platform for political parties to nominate and submit the details of their polling agents, replacing the manual submission system used in previous elections.

Nigeria has 176,846 polling units, making nationwide representation a major logistical undertaking for parties seeking to monitor the electoral process from the grassroots.

The APC has claimed that it has recruited 4,421,150 polling agents across the country’s polling units.

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, disclosed the figure while speaking at a two-day national retreat of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Abuja.

The ruling party said its mobilisation was part of efforts to strengthen its grassroots presence and ensure adequate representation during the elections.

The opposition parties are also developing their own strategies, with some focusing on recruiting committed members, screening nominees and training officials responsible for submitting agents’ details to INEC.

PDP trains officials, warns against double agents

The PDP has begun training its state executives and officials responsible for uploading the details of its polling agents to INEC’s online portal.

At a capacity-building session in Abuja on November 2, the party’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, urged participants to take the exercise seriously and extend the training to officials at the local government and ward levels.

He stressed that election monitoring began at polling units, where party agents played an important role in protecting candidates’ interests.

The party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, also cautioned state executives against engaging individuals who were not committed members of the party.

Bature warned against the recruitment of so-called double agents who could abandon their responsibilities or work for rival parties during elections.

He urged party officials to properly screen nominees and prioritise loyal members who had demonstrated commitment to the organisation.

The PDP subsequently directed its state secretaries to submit their agents’ details to the national leadership by December 2, ahead of the commission’s submission deadline.

Labour Party draws lessons from 2023 election

The Labour Party has also commenced the recruitment, screening and notification of polling agents as part of its preparations for the 2027 elections.

Its Interim National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, said the party was drawing lessons from the 2023 general elections, particularly the difficulties it encountered in obtaining comprehensive coverage of polling units.