Voters across Anambra State trooped out on Saturday to elect a new governor who will lead the state for the next four years. The election, organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is being held across the 21 local government areas of the state.
The contest is expected to be fierce, with top contenders including Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Nnadubem Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP).
However, emotions ran high at Umudim Akasi Polling Unit 019 in Agulu II, Ward 8, Anaocha Local Government Area, where a 96-year-old woman, Mrs Elizabeth Onike, broke down in tears after she was denied the opportunity to vote.
The incident occurred around 10:29 a.m. when the presiding officer informed her that she could not vote due to the absence of a valid voter’s card. Witnesses described the moment as heartbreaking, noting that Mrs Onike had arrived early, eager to fulfil her civic duty.
Earlier in the day, INEC ad hoc staff were seen arriving at various polling units across the state as early as 7:20 a.m., with reports of calm and orderly conduct in most areas. Voting commenced in several communities, including Amawbia in Awka South and Fegge in Onitsha, around 8:30 a.m.
Security and monitoring agents, including officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were also present at polling stations to monitor proceedings and prevent vote buying.
As of 9:31 a.m., voting was ongoing in several parts of the state, with restricted vehicular movement along the Onitsha Bridge axis and the Onitsha–Awka Expressway.
