…Prof. Gumus Leads Team, Says Logistics, Security, and Technology Fully Aligned for November 8 Polls
With just 12 days to the much-anticipated Anambra Governorship Election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the state fully prepared to conduct a credible, transparent, and peaceful exercise.
A high powered delegation from INEC Headquarters in Abuja, led by National Commissioner for Election Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, wrapped up a weeklong readiness tour across Anambra, affirming that “every component of the electoral process is in place and ready for deployment.”
The team, which included National Commissioners Sam Olumekun (mni), Dr. Kenneth Ukeagu, and Dr. Baba Bila, arrived in Awka on October 21, 2025, and embarked on a comprehensive review of logistics, security coordination, material deployment, and voter preparedness.
While on the field inspections in Dunukofia and Oyi Local Government Areas, the delegation observed ongoing batching and deployment of non-sensitive materials, as well as continuous distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Prof. Gumus, interacted with voters, reassured them that “no eligible citizen will be left behind,” stressing inclusivity and transparency as INEC’s guiding principles.
At a strategic meeting held with 21 Electoral Officers (EOs) across the state, discussions centered on timely activation of Registration Area Centres (RACs), documentation, and reverse logistics after voting. Dr. Ukeagu charged officers to uphold accountability, stressing that “every vehicle, every ballot, every form must be properly tracked.”
Reinforcing this directive, Dr. Bila reminded the officials that “delegated authority comes with full responsibility,” while Mr. Olumekun, who chairs the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), called on staff to maintain professionalism, which he described as “INEC’s strongest currency.”
In addition to have a successful electoral outcome, the delegation also met with transport unions, NURTW, NARTO, and RTEAN in order to Strengthening coordination under the existing Memorandum of Understanding. Dr. Ukeagu warned against any deviation from agreed logistics arrangements, noting that “this is not a business as usual; accountability must be total.”
Further more, the issue security arrangements dominated discussions at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting, where heads of security agencies, including the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and the military, assured of intensified patrols and coordinated deployments across all polling units.
Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, expressed optimism about the synergy amongst the security agencies. “We enter this election with a peaceful state of mind,” she said. “Our confidence rests on the cooperation we have seen amongst all the stakeholders.”
The readiness tour culminated in the monitoring of a Mock Accreditation Exercise in Anambra East, where the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) performed seamlessly. Dr. Ukeagu, impressed by the performance, declared INEC “99% ready,” adding that “only final staff and material movements remain.”
At the conclusion of the visit, Prof. Gumus expressed satisfaction with preparations, affirming that “Anambra is ready, INEC is ready, and the people are ready. We look forward to an election that reflects the true will of the electorate.”
In another development, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has approved the appointment of Mr. Adedayo Eriye Oketola as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS). The appointment, conveyed in a letter dated October 24, 2025, and signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, takes immediate effect.
Oketola, a veteran journalist and former Editor of The Punch Newspaper, brings nearly two decades of newsroom experience and multiple journalism awards to his new role. His appointment, according to INEC, underscores the Commission’s commitment to transparency and robust media engagement.
Mrs. Oriaran-Anthony while congratulating him on the appointment, urged him to uphold the tenet and ethics of the profession by making integrity a guiding principle in advancing INEC’s communication goals.
