By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
Seven foreign observer groups and several Nigerian civil society organizations (CSOs) have deployed about 687 accredited observers across Anambra State to monitor the November 8 governorship election.
The deployment forms part of a citizen-led initiative conducted under the Election Observation Hub, a coalition supported by the European Union’s Support to Democratic Governance Project (EU-SDGN).
The observation hub comprises Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF), ElectHER, TAF Africa, and the Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (ILC).
Speaking on Thursday in Awka in a joint pre-election briefing titled “Anambra 2025: Efficiency, Integrity and Impartiality Will Make or Mar the Election,” Chairperson of the 2025 Anambra Election Mission, Mr. Asmau Maikudi, and Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, said the team would monitor the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) preparations, logistics deployment, security arrangements, and voter participation.
They emphasised that efficiency, integrity, and impartiality would be decisive in determining the credibility of the election and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Drawing from past electoral experiences, these three benchmarks will serve as the litmus test for citizens’ confidence in INEC, security agencies, and political actors,” Mr. Maikudi said. “Failure to meet these standards could further erode voter confidence and deepen the legitimacy crisis in Nigeria’s democracy.”
The coalition stated that the observers will work in coordinated clusters focusing on election integrity and results verification, gender and disability inclusion, peacebuilding, media and misinformation tracking, logistics observation, and real-time data reporting.
Yiaga Africa vowed to expose any manipulation of results that do not align with outcomes posted at polling stations, adding that its Watching The Vote methodology would independently verify the accuracy of INEC’s official results.
Citing INEC data, the group noted that 2,802,790 registered voters, including 140,370 newly registered voters, are expected to participate in the election across 326 wards and 5,718 polling units.
Yiaga Africa urged INEC to ensure the uniform use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) across all polling units, as required under the Electoral Act 2022, and to strengthen oversight of logistics, particularly the deployment of election materials and personnel.
It also called for accountability among contracted transport providers to avoid delays or irregularities.
Regarding security, the group warned against the involvement of vigilante or unregulated groups in election duties, urging security agencies to act with neutrality and professionalism.
“Security operations must be intelligence-led, impartial, and non-selective—avoiding intimidation or harassment of voters, political actors, observers, and journalists,” the statement said.
Yiaga Africa recommended that INEC provide clear information on voting arrangements in Ihiala Local Government Area, where polling has been consolidated due to security issues, to prevent confusion or disenfranchisement.
The coalition commended the 18 governorship candidates for signing a peace accord facilitated by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, describing the move as a vital commitment to a peaceful and credible process.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, Yiaga Africa said it would produce a comprehensive, evidence-based report of its observations, calling on all stakeholders to act with restraint and uphold the principles of peace, fairness, and inclusion throughout the electoral process.