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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Ahead of the November 8 Anambra governorship election, the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and security agencies on transparency and fairness
They also stressed the need for non-statutory security outfits, like vigilantes, for election security roles.
EU-SDGN II said that there would no legal basis for non-state security outfits to be included in the conduct of the exercise, slated Saturday, next week.
Also, it called on security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be more proactive in detecting and apprehending offenders on election day.
While addressing journalists and presenting the Joint EU-SDGN II partners’ pre-election assessment report yesterday in Abuja, Executive Director of International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, raised concern that voter apathy, vote-buying, restriction of campaign activities due to insecurity, misuse of vigilance groups, and gender-blind media coverage are of serious concern.
Arogundade suggested that urgent steps like enforcement of strict penalties for vote buying, with security agencies INEC officials should act more proactively in detecting and apprehending offenders during campaigns and on election day, deploying election observers and security personnel to monitor and prevent voter suppression, and establishing real-time election day verification desks to debunk fake news and premature result announcements.
Other key recommendations included strengthening election logistics to ensure timely delivery of materials, establishing clear protocols to prevent infiltration and misuse of non-conventional security groups, and integrating gender-sensitive protocols into election security operations.
The report also highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of electoral laws, better coordination among security agencies, and enhanced voter education campaigns to discourage vote-buying and misinformation. It emphasised that the credibility of the Anambra election will not be judged solely by the votes counted, but by the inclusivity and safety of the process.
According to its findings, Anambra’s political landscape remained highly competitive, with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Labour Party (LP) emerging as key contenders.
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However, the report flagged concerns about the fragility of electoral infrastructure, especially following incidents of violence during the recent August 2025 by-election.
Arogundade said: “Enforcing penalties for vote-buying and other electoral crimes is central to restoring citizens’ confidence in Nigeria’s elections.
“We call on INEC, security agencies, and the EFCC to be proactive in detecting and apprehending offenders during campaigns and on election day.”
He urged the INEC to enhance its logistics operations, ensure the swift distribution of election materials, and deploy well-trained personnel to avoid disruptions.
Moreso, he emphasised that “transition plans must translate into field efficiency — elections should start on time, equipment must function correctly, and every voter must have the chance to vote.”
The assessment found that journalists covering election activities in Anambra have experienced harassment, intimidation, and limited access, especially in high-risk areas.
The implementing partners are DAI Global Belgium SRL; International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA); the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement Africa (YIAGA Africa); Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC); the Kukah Centre; and International Press Centre (IPC).
Others are; Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO); the Albino Foundation Africa (TAF Africa); Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF); ElectHER; SOS Children’s Villages; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Corporate Accountability and Public Participation for Africa (CAPPA); Justice, Development and Peace Makers’ Centre, Osogbo; Justice Development and Peace Initiative, Ekiti; and Justice, Development and Peace Movement.
