PRELIMINARY STATEMENT BY CLEEN FOUNDATION ON THE CONDUCT OF SECURITY OFFICIALS DURING THE ANAMBRA STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION HELD ON SATURDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 2025: “EGOLE?” — BIDDING FOR BALLOT

 

1.0 Introduction

CLEEN Foundation with support from  Open Society Foundation deployed trained observers across the twenty-one (21) Local Government Areas of Anambra State to monitor the conduct of security officials during the gubernatorial election held on Saturday, 8 November 2025. This preliminary statement presents our observations on the preparedness, professionalism, and conduct of security agencies on Election Day.

The 2025 Anambra gubernatorial election was conducted amid heightened public anxiety about vote buying, electoral manipulation, and the influence of money in politics. The phrase “Egole?”—an expression meaning “how much?”—became a metaphor for the growing perception that votes and loyalty are increasingly subject to monetary negotiation. In this context, the election represented not only a contest for political power but also a moral test of Ndi- Anambra and the Nation at large: whether our ballots still speak for conviction or have been sold to the highest bidder. There was a footage from PU 013, Ihiala – Amamu, Ward A where result sheets were alleged to be outside the polling unit. An indication that results were been manipulated.

2.0 Methodology

CLEEN Foundation employed a multi-level observation approach. Sixty-three stationary observers and twenty-five roving accredited observers were deployed across 21 Local Government Areas, ensuring a broad geographic representation of urban, semi-urban, rural, riverine, and border communities. Each observer submitted real-time reports through the CLEEN Mobile Monitoring Application, enabling location-specific incident documentation and verification.

Additionally, the ESSC strengthened situational awareness by:

1. Monitoring incident reports by trusted civil society and media partners;
2. Tracking verified social media alerts and disinformation trends;
3. Applying a stage-based observation framework covering Pre-Accreditation, Voting, Counting, and Post-Voting developments.

This structure allowed coordinated data triangulation and enabled CLEEN Foundation to analyse patterns of security conduct, deployment efficiency, voter safety, and conflict risk escalation.

3.0 Security-Related Observations

3.1 Deployment and Presence of Security Agents

Security deployment across the state was generally robust, with visible presence of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Security, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and Nigeria Immigration Service personnel, while military personnel were stationed at strategic checkpoints and on mobile patrols. Reports from CLEEN’s observers across the state suggest that INEC officials arrived in only 49% of observed polling units by 7:30 am, while in the majority of the polling units covered, security personnel were present before 8:00 am. This complies with the provisions of the law and likewise ensures deterrence against violence.

However, in Onitsha North LGA, Ward 15, PU:009, Onitsha South Mass transit, PU: 009;  Nnewi North, Ward: 2; PU; 015, 029, 028, 032;  Anaocha, Ward: Nri II, PU: 010; Aguata LGA, Ward: Amanwafor, PU: Isi Achina/ 005, 006, 008; Idemili South, Ward: Oba 1, PU: Oba civic centre,009, security personnel arrived at polling units later than 9:00 AM, leading to delayed commencement of accreditation in these locations. Improved internal coordination and logistics planning remain necessary.

3.2 Conduct and Professionalism

Most security personnel were reported to have maintained civility and were accessible to voters. Security agents were confirmed to having worn identifiable name tags and demonstrated respectful and non-threatening conduct. The decision to station unarmed officers at polling units while restricting armed personnel to patrol duties aligns with the electoral law and provisions in Nigeria and aligns with global election security best practices, which contributed to a calmer voter environment seen thus far. However, in a possible overzealous case, a CLEEN Foundation election observer was arrested by the Law Enforcement Agents in Anayamelu LGA, Anaku II, PU 014 for taking pictures of the process, but was afterwards released after paying attention to the observer’s identification. In Eziagulu Hall, Ward 2, Aguata Local Government, officials were observed without nametags, highlighting inconsistent compliance with identification protocols, while in Community Primary School Amansea 1 (Awka North) and Willed Obia Sec. Achọ / 014 (Aguleri 1) had armed officers.

3.3 Presence of Non-State Security Actors

CLEEN’s ESSC also got a report from Ihiala LGA, where men of the  Vigilante Group of Nigeria were seen in Anaocha LGA, Ward: Akwaeze Town Pu: 006; also vigilantes were seen escorting a politician in Ekwusigo LGA, Ward: Eziora 4, PU: Ekwusigo, despite assurances from the police of their non-involvement in the Elections. While often filling legitimate gaps, this practice requires formal regulation to avoid abuse, politicisation, or intimidation.

3.4 Welfare and Operational Preparedness

The CLEEN Foundation notes that during some security personnel, particularly mobile police units, were deployed with inadequate welfare support. Instances of insufficient accommodation, transport difficulties, and delayed allowances were observed. These gaps negatively affected morale and created conditions under which personnel could become vulnerable to undue influence. Strengthening welfare and logistical arrangements remains critical to ensuring professional and impartial security conduct in future elections.

4.0 General Operational and Logistical Observations

The CLEEN ESSC observed delays in the arrival of INEC officials, security personnel, and election materials across several LGAs, resulting in the late commencement of accreditation and voting. In many locations, materials arrived after 8:30 a.m, causing operational setbacks. Notable cases were recorded at Ogbaru LGA (Okpoko Ward 2, PUs 01 and 011), Onitsha North LGA (Ward 15, Onitsha South Mass Transit, PU 009), and Anambra East LGA (Umeri Ward II, Akwaete Public Square, PU 002). Additionally, significant delays extending beyond 9:00 a.m. were observed in Awka South LGA (RA 09 PUs 015, 013, 012, 004, 003; Iyiagu Phase 2 PUs 030, 040, 042; RA 07 PUs 009, 010; RA 05 Nkwele Primary School PUs 008 and 007; PUs 001, 012, 003, 009, 010, 016), Aguata LGA, Ward 1, PU Otiogbata Hall;  and were further confirmed in Ogbaru and Onitsha North LGAs. These delays disrupted early voter participation and contributed to longer waiting times at several polling units.

The functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS): CLEEN ESSC witnesses an improvement in the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), as malfunctioning was nearly not in existence. CLEEN ESSC only recorded one malfunction of the BVAs in Onitsha South LGA, Ward: Odoakpu 6, PU: 01. However, it was replaced, and accreditation/voting commenced.

Persistent electoral malpractices: Persistent electoral malpractices, particularly vote-trading, significantly undermined the integrity of the electoral process. CLEEN Foundation observers documented numerous incidents of vote-buying involving cash and material inducements occurring within polling units, as well as in their immediate surroundings. In several locations, party agents and political loyalists were observed openly canvassing for votes, attempting to influence voter decisions, and in some instances creating tension and minor disruptions at polling stations.

The security response to these violations was generally passive and, at times, ineffective. In many cases, security personnel either failed to intervene or did not take adequate steps to deter the illegal activities, highlighting the need for more proactive enforcement and strengthened oversight. Notable cases of vote-buying were recorded in multiple polling units, including but not limited to: Ayamelum LGA, Ward: Anaku, Pu: 014, 013, 015 and 016, Onitsha North LGA, Ward:4, Pu:007; Awka North LGA, Amansea ward 1, PU: Community Primary School 001;  Oyi LGA, Awkwuzu Ward 1, PU: 008; Awka North LGA, Ebenebe Ward 1, PU: Central School ( 001,002,003); Umuanyaegbu LGA, Ward: Eziora 4 PU: Ekwusigo; Aguata, Ward: Uga 1, PU: Otiogbata Hall 1; Ihiala LGA, Ward: Azia, PU:007; Onitsha North, Ward:  15, PU: 009. In several of these locations, vote-buying was facilitated by party agents and, in some instances, occurred in full view of security officials with no effective intervention.

Conduct of INEC Ad-hoc Staff

In most polling units observed by CLEEN ESSC, INEC ad-hoc staff demonstrated professionalism and commitment, despite operational and environmental challenges. Generally, the officials adhered to established procedures and maintained orderly conduct in the management of voter accreditation and ballot administration. In several locations, ad-hoc staff actively engaged with voters by providing clear guidance on the use of the BVAS machine, explaining the steps involved in the voting process, and assisting elderly or disabled voters to ensure no one was disenfranchised. However, in Awka North LGA, Amansea ward 1, PU: Community primary school 1, a voter thumb printed for five different political parties in one ballot paper, but the police calmed down angry voters that witnessed the anomaly.

Voter Turnout

The CLEEN Foundation ESSC observed that voter turnout differed significantly across various parts of the state. In many areas, participation was notably low due to recurring logistical challenges, delays in the deployment of election materials, and lingering security concerns stemming from community tensions and fear of violence. These factors collectively contributed to voter apathy.

Specifically, CLEEN observers recorded low turnout in Idemili North LGA (Umuoji Ward, PU 030), Idemili South LGA (Nnobi Ward 3, PUs 007 and 008), and Ogbaru LGA (Okpoko Ward 2, PU 011). Additionally, pre-existing levels of voter apathy, driven by declining trust in political actors and scepticism about the electoral process, further contributed to uneven turnout patterns. This underscores the need for sustained civic engagement, improved logistics planning, and reassurance of voters’ safety to encourage broader participation in future elections.

5.0 Recommendations

To Security Agencies:

1. Strengthen early deployment planning to ensure arrival before 7:30 am at all polling units.
2. Ensure adequate and equal welfare support for all deployed personnel to minimise vulnerability to compromise.
3. Increase inter-agency communication and command coordination, especially in riverine and border communities.

To the Nigeria Police Force and Police Service Commission:

1. Enforce accountability for unprofessional conduct, particularly failure to act on electoral offences.
2. Expand continuous pre-election training on election-specific ethics, use of force limitations, and neutrality.

To INEC:

1. Overhaul logistics and improve last-minute distribution of materials to difficult-to-reach areas.
2. Conduct mandatory hands-on BVAS simulation training for all ad-hoc staff.
3. Strengthen guidelines to discourage interference by party agents at polling units.
4. Review iRev against registered voters as there were allegations of manipulations.

To the Federal Government and State Security Structures:

1. Establish a regulatory and accountability framework for collaboration with community vigilante groups.
2. Ensure public communication systems to counter disinformation and prevent panic or misinformation-driven violence.

6.0 Conclusion

CLEEN Foundation acknowledges the efforts of INEC, security agencies, and citizens in ensuring a generally peaceful electoral process. The professionalism demonstrated by many officers contributed to stability and voter confidence. CLEEN’s overall conduct rating was at 90.4% positive rating as the majority rated security officials as very good. However, recurring voter apathy, logistical problems and the persistence of vote-buying undermine the integrity of the process and require urgent structural reform.

As the election proceeds to collation and result announcement, CLEEN Foundation calls for heightened vigilance, transparency, and restraint from all actors.

Signed:

 

Peter Maduoma

Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation

8 November 2025