The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday commenced the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials to various local government areas across Anambra State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The distribution exercise, which took place at the Central Bank of Nigeria branch in Awka, was supervised by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Elizabeth Awgu, amid heavy deployment of security personnel.

Party agents, representatives of civil society organisations, and security operatives were also present at the venue to monitor the movement of the materials.

The sensitive materials distributed included the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Forms EC8A, and Forms EC8B, which, according to the commission, would be moved to the various Registration Area Centres (RACs) ahead of the election.

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Speaking with journalists during the exercise, Awgu explained that the early distribution of materials was part of measures to ensure that the election commenced on schedule across the state.

She said, “People should come out and vote; participate in this election process. Do not stay at home thinking that your vote will not count, and do not assume that your candidate has already won. INEC is fully prepared for this election, and we are assuring the people of Anambra State of a credible and peaceful exercise.

“Party agents and security operatives jointly supervised the distribution of sensitive materials to ensure transparency. We have been at the CBN since 9 am, and everything has gone smoothly without any challenges or complaints. This shows our readiness and commitment to delivering a credible election.”

Awgu noted that INEC had made comprehensive preparations in collaboration with political parties, security agencies, and civil society organisations to guarantee a free, fair, transparent, and credible process.

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INEC officials distributing electoral materials… Credit: Ikenna Obianeri
She said the three categories of sensitive materials—BVAS, Forms EC8A, and Forms EC8B—were being moved to the RACs for final deployment ahead of the election.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security in Anambra, Abayomi Shogunle, disclosed that the number of security personnel deployed for the poll had been increased from 45,000 to 55,000 officers.

According to him, the measure is to ensure adequate protection of voters, electoral officials, and election materials across the 21 local government areas.

Shogunle said, “The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure effective operations and safety at every polling unit. We want to guarantee voters’ confidence in coming out to cast their ballots without fear.

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“The number would be increased to 55,000 as against the initial 45,000 personnel. The officers will be drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Immigration Service, NDLEA, DSS, and other sister agencies. At least three security officers will be deployed to each polling unit across the state.

“We assure the people of Anambra that the election will be free, fair, transparent, and devoid of intimidation. Our collective aim is to ensure the safety of voters, INEC officials, and all stakeholders involved.”

Shogunle, who monitored the process at the CBN office, confirmed that the materials being moved included the BVAS devices and result sheets (Forms EC8A and EC8B) for the Saturday poll.

According to INEC, 16 candidates from 16 registered political parties are contesting in the governorship election to wrest power from the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

The European Union on Thursday announced the deployment of 687 observers to Anambra State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election under the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme.

Through the programme, the EU is enabling its civil society partners to deploy election observers, strengthen peacebuilding, advance disability and gender inclusion, counter misinformation, and reinforce public confidence in the democratic process.

According to a statement by the EU in Abuja, seven of the 16 EU-SDGN implementing partners, namely the Kukah Centre, Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre, Centre for Media and Society, Nigeria Women Trust Fund, ElectHER, and TAF Africa, are already on the ground in Anambra State.

“The key feature of this unified deployment is to obtain a broad view of the election by utilising the diverse skills and experience of the EU-SDGN partners, analysing the findings, and compiling them into a comprehensive report that will be made public and available to all stakeholders.

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“In total, the programme is deploying 687 observers across Anambra State, working in coordinated clusters that cover election integrity, disability inclusion, gender participation, peacebuilding, media and misinformation tracking, logistics observation, and real-time data reporting.

“This is one of the most extensive civil society-led observer deployments ever recorded for a state election in Nigeria.

“Each cluster is collecting evidence from a different angle. When those findings are merged, they offer a fuller, verifiable picture of the election that no single organisation could produce alone,” the statement read.

The observers are distributed across several thematic areas, including election integrity and results verification; disability inclusion with trained observers and stand-alone sign language interpreters; gender participation with observers tracking women-related issues; media and misinformation tracking through journalists and fact-checkers deployed across polling locations; peacebuilding and conflict prevention; and the monitoring of polling logistics and the distribution of sensitive election materials.

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Earlier this week, the EU-SDGN programme supported the signing of the Anambra Election Peace Accord involving all candidates and political parties.

“The Peace Accord is not the conclusion, but the beginning of responsibility,” the cohort affirmed. “Candidates must not only sign for peace, but act peacefully and respect the will of the voters.”

In addition, ahead of the governorship election, the EU-SDGN programme also presented a Joint Pre-Election Assessment Report.

The report analysed the political climate, security risks, media environment, and levels of gender and disability inclusion, and offered 66 actionable recommendations to strengthen electoral credibility, voter access, and institutional preparedness.

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The EU-SDGN is an EU-funded Nigerian civil society-led programme working to strengthen credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections across the country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared full readiness for the governorship election slated for Saturday, November 8, 2025, in the 5,718 wards across the state.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during a stakeholders meeting in Awka, said about 24,000 ad hoc staff will be deployed while about 540 journalists have been accredited to cover the election, adding that the commission is fully committed to the governorship poll in line with its commitment to credible and inclusive elections.

According to INEC, 16 candidates from 16 political parties are contesting the governorship election to wrest power from the incumbent, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is also seeking reelection under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance.

A fish expert and Director of Academic Planning at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Dr Olubunmi Adeosun, has cautioned fish processors against using insecticides for fish preservation.

Dr Adeosun warned that using insecticides, among other unhygienic practices during fish production, poses serious health risks to consumers

She said this while delivering OYSCATECH’s 2nd inaugural lecture on Wednesday, titled “From Harvest to Plate: The Journey of the Pearls of the Waters,” according to a statement signed by the school’s Public Relations Officer, Olawore Opeyemi, on Thursday.

Emphasising that unhygienic practices of handling during and after production play a major role in food contamination, the Director called for proper cleaning and sanitation procedures to increase the quality of fish and fish products.

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According to her, “Fish is a nutritious food source packaged with essential nutrients and a great addition to a healthy diet, and the American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week.

“Fish food and safety are critical to consumers due to their health implications, and to exploit the export potential for smoked farmed catfish, there is a need for strict adherence to international quality and safety standards.”

Highlighting the nutritional value of fish, Adeosun noted that it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins beneficial to heart health, brain function, and bone development.

She Adeosun appealed that fish processors need to consider the health of consumers as paramount and should avoid the use of insecticides in the preservation of smoked catfish.

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She hinted that fish farmers should avoid giving junk food as feed for the fish and excessive use of antibiotics while appealing that they embrace healthy practices in the production and processing of fish.

The fisheries expert, however, advised consumers to be aware of what they buy in the market and the quality of the fish they consume for their health.

Adeosun also reiterated the roles of stakeholders in ensuring control of the use of unregulated preservatives and enforcing good manufacturing practices.

She therefore called on the Federal Government to support local fish production to bridge the gap between consumption and supply.

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She explained that Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported fish was due to low domestic production and inadequate government support for local producers and processors.

As a solution, Adeosun recommended constant training and sensitisation of producers and processors, including retailers, about the dangers of using insecticides on human health.

Earlier, OYSCATECH Rector, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, commended the Oyo State Government for its consistent financial support.

He posited that the institution will not relent in its vision of training for innovation, food sufficiency and self-employment.

The inaugural lecture was well attended by both past and present principal officers of the institution, among whom are Dr Ariyo Okunlola, Dr Sarafa Agbogun, Dr Taiwo Akinyemi, Dr Kolawole Raheem, Mr Modupe Ogundapo, and Engr. Dauda Salaam.