Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Media have pledged their full support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and credible Anambra Governorship Election scheduled for 8th November 2025. This was contained in the INEC Bulletin of October 15, 2025.
The pledges came on Wednesday in Abuja during two separate third quarterly consultative meetings with CSOs and Media Executives, presided over by the Acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu. Both engagements underscored the Commission’s ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration with critical stakeholders whose roles remain essential to strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the Civil Society community, the Executive Director of Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, congratulated Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu on her appointment as the second woman to lead INEC in an acting capacity. He commended her for maintaining close ties with civil society and pledged continued collaboration to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. Nwagwu emphasised that sub-national elections, such as the upcoming Anambra poll, depend greatly on the competence and integrity of Resident Electoral Commissioners and Electoral Officers who oversee them. He expressed confidence that under the Acting Chairman’s leadership, INEC would consolidate the innovations introduced in recent electoral cycles, especially the deployment of technology that enhances transparency.
The Media also reaffirmed its commitment to credible elections and responsible reporting. Speaking on behalf of media leaders, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Yahaya Alhassan, commended INEC for sustaining its tradition of open engagement with the press. He described the media as a vital partner in democracy, not only as observers but as facilitators of transparency and public confidence. “The media must continue to inform citizens, hold political actors accountable, and ensure that the electoral process is reported with accuracy, fairness, and responsibility,” he said. He called for stronger collaboration between INEC and journalists covering elections, including training, improved access to information, and support for fact-checking to counter misinformation.
In her address, the Acting Chairman, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu expressed gratitude to both groups for their partnership and reaffirmed the Commission’s preparedness for the Anambra Governorship Election. She announced that 10 out of 13 key activities in the election timetable had already been completed, with the remaining three — publication of Notice of Poll, end of campaigns, and election day — on course and without delay. She stated that all non-sensitive materials had been delivered to the state and that voter education and sensitisation were ongoing.
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu further disclosed that INEC’s Media Accreditation Portal for the Anambra election, which opened on September 1, had received applications from 43 media organisations seeking accreditation for 363 personnel. She reminded journalists that the portal would close at midnight on October 24, with no extension, stressing that the accreditation tags issued by the Commission carry security codes that can be verified by security agencies. She urged accredited journalists to carry out their duties with professionalism and to always verify information with the Commission before publication.
The Acting Chairman also briefed stakeholders on other ongoing electoral activities, including preparations for the FCT Area Council Elections scheduled for February 2026, as well as the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise which will run until August 2026. She noted that the impressive turnout for the CVR reflected Nigerians’ faith in democracy and the Commission’s efforts to ensure that all eligible citizens were able to exercise their franchise.
She reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and credibility, assuring that the Commission would continue to engage stakeholders regularly to strengthen public trust in the electoral process. “Our democracy is stronger when citizens are informed, engaged, and confident in the process,” she said. “We will continue to work hand in hand with the media, civil society, and all stakeholders to safeguard the vote and deepen our democratic culture.
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