Anambra 2025:CDD-West Africa Calls for Actions to Address Low Voter Turnout
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) has called for urgent and coordinated actions to tackle the challenge of voter apathy, institutional fragility, and prohibitive campaign costs ahead of the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election.
Addressing journalists in Awka on Friday, the Chairman of CDD’s Election Analysis Centre, Professor Victor Adetula, alongside Electoral Analyst, Dr. Ernest Aniche, identified Ihiala, Nnewi South, and Orumba South as major flashpoints in the state. Within these local governments, the communities of Lilu, Azia, and Amorka were highlighted as particularly fragile areas requiring close monitoring.
According to Prof. Adetula, the weak oversight of local vigilante groups and the persistent culture of violence in some areas contribute significantly to voter apathy and low turnout.
He urged security agencies to act with professionalism, impartiality, and restraint in order to safeguard voters and maintain public confidence in the electoral process.
The CDD-West Africa team also condemned the imposition of a ₦50 million signage fee by the state government on political parties before the commencement of campaigns, describing it as a deterrent to political participation and a barrier for smaller parties.
They equally decried the poor representation of women candidates in the upcoming election, emphasizing the need for greater inclusion and gender balance in the state’s political landscape.
Speaking further, CDD-West Africa’s Director, Dr. Dauda Garuba, and Chairman, Prof. Victor Adetula, stressed that the Anambra governorship poll transcends a mere sub-national exercise. They urged all political actors to prioritize national interest, safeguard democratic integrity, and ensure the conduct of a peaceful, credible, and inclusive election.
In addition, CDD-West Africa revealed that it had trained and accredited 178 election observers to be deployed across the 21 local government areas of Anambra State. The observers will provide real-time analysis and reports on the election’s conduct, with the goal of enhancing transparency and accountability.
Similarly, the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency and Advocacy (CTA), Ms. Faith Nwadishi, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intensify efforts to curb monetary inducements, vote-buying, and money laundering in the electoral process.
Speaking at a press briefing on the CTA Situation Room’s preparedness for the election, Ms. Nwadishi disclosed that the organization had previously conducted a Voter Enlightenment and Education Programme in collaboration with the Koyenum Immalah Foundation (KIF). The initiative was implemented in Orumba South Local Government Area from September 15 to 30, 2025, with the aim of educating citizens on their electoral rights and responsibilities, promoting peaceful participation, and discouraging electoral malpractices such as vote-buying and rigging.
