No Political Ambition Is Worth the Peace and Future of Anambra
Map of Anambra State
By Titus Eleweke
As Anambra State approaches its governorship election in just 17 days, the political atmosphere is palpably charged. Candidates are making bold declarations, while others seize the spotlight primarily for personal branding,less to serve the people and more to be seen.
Some aspirants, fully aware they have little chance of winning, participate merely to present themselves as “wealthy sons of the soil,” to build their CVs and hoping to garner public sympathy or lay the groundwork for future political ambitions.
In a democracy, however, every citizen who meets constitutional requirements and possesses the resources to contest has the right to do so. Political participation is the lifeblood of any democratic society, even if motivations differ widely. Yet, while ambition is natural, it must be tempered by decorum and respect for the process.
Competitive races inevitably generate intense debate and strategic maneuvering. What must be firmly rejected is the descent into toxic politics. Often, it is not the candidates themselves but their supporters who, in misguided loyalty, become instruments of chaos resorting to violence, propaganda, and provocations that inflict lasting harm on the people and state rather than advancing any campaign.
Let this be unequivocal, no political ambition justifies jeopardizing the peace and future of Anambra. Supporters must realize that the “ogas” they champion today will retreat to comfort and safety, while ordinary citizens bear the brunt of any violence or unrest.
There is, however, cause for cautious optimism. Electoral violence, once a grim hallmark of Nigerian elections, is on a notable decline. The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other digital innovations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have significantly curtailed traditional election rigging tactics. Ballot snatching and result manipulation from remote locations are no longer simple options. Faced with these new realities, some politicians have resorted to vote buying,a shameful but telling admission that the system is becoming increasingly resilient against fraud.
BVAS is a technological device deployed by INEC to enhance electoral credibility through two primary functions,Voter Accreditation: Utilizing both fingerprint and facial recognition technologies (bimodal), BVAS verifies that only legitimate, registered voters participate in elections.Instant Transmission of Results: BVAS uploads polling unit results directly to INEC’s central portal in real time, drastically reducing opportunities for result tampering during collation.
BVAS made its debut in the Anambra 2021 Governorship Election and has since been pivotal in Nigeria’s electoral reforms. This technology has undeniably improved election integrity and is a hopeful step toward fully electronic voting in the future.
It is critical that INEC be allowed to execute its constitutional mandate free from interference. Political actors must resist the temptation to bribe or coerce election officials. Let the democratic process breathe, and let the people decide the state’s future.
On November 8, the people of Anambra must come out peacefully to cast their votes and protect their mandate,not with how much paid to them to vote , violence, but with vigilance. The success of this election will not only affirm INEC’s credibility but also serve as a vital indicator of Nigeria’s democratic progress.
Let this election be the moment when Anambra demonstrates to the nation and the world that we are ready not just to vote, but to evolve.
Elections are not battlegrounds for ego or violence. They are sacred democratic exercises where citizens shape their destiny. As Anambra heads to the polls, candidates and their supporters alike must place the state’s stability and future above personal ambition. The true measure of democratic maturity lies not only in who wins, but in how the people conduct themselves before, during, and after the vote. Peaceful participation is the real victory.
Titus Eleweke is an award-winning journalist based in Anambra State.
