LIVE UPDATES: Anambra State Governorship Election

Anambra State goes to the polls today as voters across the 21 local government areas choose who will lead the state for the next four years.

Naija News reports that the governorship election, organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, is expected to be highly competitive, with major political parties fielding strong candidates.

Major candidates involved include: Charles Chukwuma Soludo (All Progressives Grand Alliance – APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu (All Progressives Congress – APC), Jude Ezenwafor (Peoples Democratic Party – PDP), Nnadubem Moghalu (Labour Party – LP).

Stick with Naija News as we bring you more updates…

01:35 pm: Joint EU-SDGN II midday situational briefing on Anambra state Governorship elections is underway

12: 40 pm: Electoral Malpractice: Lawyer Calls For Removal Of Payment Option For Vote-Buyers

12: 20 pm: ADC governorship candidate, John Chuma Nwosu, votes at Oduda Central School, Ward 2 , Nnewi North

Nwosu accuses APGA of massive vote buying

11:47 am: The APC Candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu has voted at his polling unit, Osumenyi Ward 2, polling unit 012.

He complains about vote buying, bullying, and intimidation of his agents

11:05 am: The Onitsha Main Market is unusually calm. A few persons were spotted there while voting is ongoing at PU 010, Ward 4 in the market.

– Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, George Moghalu, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the widespread monetisation of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.

Speaking with journalists at his residence in Nnewi North LGA, Moghalu said he had received repeated reports of vote-buying across several polling areas, despite the heavy security presence deployed for the exercise.

He lamented that the practice, which had become evident in previous elections, had resurfaced even more aggressively.

– Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has cast his vote at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi Agulu 2, Ward 8.

Emotions ran high at Umudim Akasi Polling Unit 019 in Agulu II, Ward 8, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday, as a 96-year-old woman, Mrs Elizabeth Onike, burst into tears after she was denied the opportunity to vote.

The incident occurred around 10:29 a.m. during the ongoing governorship election.

According to witnesses who spoke with Punch, Mrs Onike was informed by the presiding officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that she could not cast her ballot because she did not possess a valid voter’s card.

10: 05 am: Officials of the EFCC are present to observe the process and ensure no vote buying here at Community Primary School, Amawbia, Awka South LGA.

09: 31 am: Voting is ongoing at Fegge Community Primary School, Fegge in Onitsha

09:31 am: The Onitsha Bridge, where several heavy-duty trucks and vehicles have been cordoned off for the election.

08:30 am: Voting has started in some areas in Anambra State

07:43 am: In Ogbunike Community in Oyi LGA, some shops were opened when Channels Television visited

07:52 am: INEC ad hoc staff arrive at the Community Primary School, Amawbia, ward 01 & 0,2, Anambra South

07:32 am: There is quiet and calm at the Umunya community, along Onitsha-Awka express way Oyi LGA.

INEC Ad hoc officials moving to their various polling stations from St Mathew Catholic Church Awka south LGA, according to Channels Television.

07:20 am: INEC ad hoc staff have arrived at the Community Primary School Amawbia ward 01 & 02 Anambra South.