INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan has warned that voter apathy, not just security threats, poses the greatest risk to Anambra State’s governorship election on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, November 6, Amupitan said historical turnout figures show a worrying decline in citizen participation.
“In the 2013 governorship election, turnout was only 25.5 per cent. In 2017, it dropped further to 20.10 per cent. In 2021, the situation deteriorated sharply with a mere 10.27 per cent turnout,” he stated on the Commission’s X handle.
The INEC chief urged voters to exercise their civic duty, saying, “Come out and exercise your civic right without fear or favour. Democracy only thrives when citizens actively choose their leaders.”
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He also highlighted a significant boost in voter preparedness, revealing that 98.80 per cent of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected after an extension of the registration period.
“This shows that citizens are ready, and INEC is fully prepared to deliver a credible and transparent election,” he added.
Saturday’s election will see 16 candidates contesting across 21 local government areas, with 2,802,790 registered voters expected to cast their ballots in 5,718 polling units.
Amupitan’s message comes as a reminder that the power to shape Anambra’s future lies in the hands of its citizens, urging everyone to turn out and make their voices heard.