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The Commissioner of Police for Election Duty in Anambra State, Abayomi Shogunle, has assured residents that security agencies are fully prepared to safeguard both land and riverine areas ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Shogunle gave the assurance on Thursday as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Awka to collect sensitive electoral materials.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Queen Agwu, was present to supervise the distribution, while party agents, journalists, and observers witnessed the process, which began later than the scheduled 10 a.m. start time.
INEC confirmed that 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 5,718 polling units in 21 local government areas.
Sixteen candidates are contesting the election, including Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP), and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to a free, fair, and peaceful election, warning against vote-buying and electoral violence.
CP Shogunle noted that elections would not take place in two polling units due to the absence of registered voters.
“My duty is to ensure adequate security throughout the state during the election period. The only exception involves two polling units without registered voters. In all other locations, the election will proceed as planned,” he said.
He further disclosed that all logistics and security arrangements had been completed.
“Everything necessary for a smooth process has been put in place. What we are witnessing today forms part of that effort — the distribution of election materials from the CBN to local government areas. From there, they will be moved to the super racks, then to the racks, and by early Saturday morning, all materials will reach the polling stations,” he explained.
On deployment, Shogunle highlighted coordinated security measures on land, in the air, and on waterways.
“Just before this briefing, a police helicopter conducted an aerial patrol, while our boats are already patrolling the waterways to prevent any disruptions. Elections will take place in all communities, including riverine areas, in close collaboration with the Nigerian Navy,” he added.
