Voting has commenced across Anambra State in the ongoing governorship election, with reports of mixed compliance to movement restrictions and visible security presence across polling units.
Despite the stay-at-home directive, several markets, including Eke-Awka and Nkwo-Mgbakwu, opened for business early on Saturday. Petty traders displayed food items and household goods, while commercial vehicles provided limited transport services within Awka and its environs.
At the same time, security has been intensified statewide, with helicopters patrolling the skies and an average of four to five operatives stationed at each polling unit. The Deputy Commandant General of the Civil Defence Corps, Philip Ayuba, confirmed that the election has been largely peaceful, with no major disturbances reported so far.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo cast his vote at Polling Unit 002, Ofeiyi Ward 13, in Aguata Local Government Area at 1:22 p.m. Similarly, Deputy Governor Onyeka Ibezim voted at Central School 3, describing the process as peaceful and orderly.
Labour Party candidate Dr George Moghalu decried reports of vote buying and voter apathy after casting his ballot at Uruagu Ward 1 in Nnewi. He, however, expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements, noting improvement in logistics compared to previous elections.
In Agulu, 96-year-old Mrs Elizabeth Onike was denied voting for lack of her Permanent Voter Card (PVC), sparking emotional scenes at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi village. INEC officials insisted on the “no PVC, no voting” rule, citing BVAS verification requirements.
Voting also began smoothly at several polling units, including Ward 1 Nnewichi, All Saints Primary School in Onitsha, and Mgbakwu in Awka North, where 80-year-old retiree Pa Morrison Okafor fulfilled his civic duty.
Security patrols and monitoring by the Civil Defence Corps and other agencies continue as the election progresses peacefully across the state.
