NSA Ribadu Assures Tight Security for Anambra Polls as INEC Deploys 200 Buses, 83 Boats

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday assured that Anambra State is fully secured for the governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

Ribadu, represented by a Director in the Directorate of Internal Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi, gave the assurance in Abuja during the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting on the Anambra Governorship Election convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said the Federal Government has put in place robust security measures, including enhanced surveillance, deployment of sufficient security personnel, and improved intelligence gathering to prevent any attempt by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process.

“As we prepare for the Anambra State governorship election on November 8, 2025, we have put in place robust security measures. These include enhanced surveillance, the deployment of sufficient security personnel, and improved intelligence gathering to prevent any attempt by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process,” Ribadu stated.

“Moreover, we are proactively engaging with political party leaders and local stakeholders to send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated in our elections. All participating political parties and their candidates must advocate for peace and encourage their supporters to conduct themselves in a manner that honours the integrity of our electoral system. Any form of violence during the elections will be met with a strong, uncompromising response,” he added.

Ribadu emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force, as the lead agency for election security, along with other security agencies, stands prepared and resolute to maintain a secure environment during the election.

He further noted that ONSA remains fully committed to fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on the strategic mobilization of security forces during the electoral period, adding that this commitment is essential to ensuring the highest level of safety and security.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), who co-chairs ICCES with the NSA, described the meeting as his first major assignment since assuming office last week.

“I wish to reiterate my personal commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Nigerian people,” Amupitan said.

He noted that the Anambra State governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025, is just 11 days away, and that following a week-long comprehensive readiness assessment across the state, the Commission is confident in its full preparedness for the polls.

“We recently conducted a mock accreditation exercise in 12 selected polling units in six Local Government Areas of Anambra State using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Although we encountered some network challenges, efforts are being made to ensure a seamless election on November 8, and we are ready for large-scale deployment on Election Day,” he said.

According to him, INEC plans to deploy 24,000 personnel, while the election will be held in 5,718 of the 5,720 polling units in the state. Voting will not take place in the remaining two polling units due to the absence of registered voters.

He explained that results will be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government area centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.

Amupitan revealed that, based on a report from a high-powered delegation of four National Commissioners to Anambra State, only 63.9% of voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Consequently, the Commission decided to extend the ongoing collection of PVCs in Anambra State.

“This extension is aimed at ensuring all eligible voters can collect their cards at the designated collection centres across the 326 Registration Areas (Wards) in Anambra State. Our mandate is to conduct credible elections, and we are determined that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised,” he said.

The INEC Chairman commended security agencies for their role in securing the environment, noting that the conduct of elections would have been impossible in certain areas without their efforts.

He disclosed that to ensure every logistical, security, and operational detail for the successful conduct of the election is covered, a high-level ICCES meeting was earlier held in Anambra State, where security chiefs provided updates on operations and flashpoint monitoring.

Representatives of the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and the military collectively assured of heavy deployments and coordinated patrols before, during, and after the election.

“To achieve this, synergy among all security agencies is non-negotiable, particularly at a time when the credibility of our elections is paramount,” he added.

Amupitan also announced that INEC has concluded arrangements with transport unions — the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) — for the movement of personnel and election materials.

He disclosed that the Commission has hired 200 buses and 83 boats to ensure seamless transportation of polling officials and sensitive materials across the state.

Amupitan warned against vote buying, urging security agencies to resist and curtail any attempt to induce voters before or during the election.

“The Anambra election must aim for even better coordination, and I charge everyone present to work tirelessly towards this goal. We must join hands to combat the menace of vote buying. The Commission is pleased with our collaboration with law enforcement agencies, especially the anti-graft agencies, to stop vote buyers from contaminating our electoral process. Security agents cannot afford to create an environment that allows vote buyers to operate during the Anambra election,” he stressed.

“Together, let us combat vote buying, uphold the values of democracy, and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections. The path ahead may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”

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