The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has lauded Governor Charles Soludo for his security initiatives, which have led to a remarkable improvement in the safety of the people and the peace being experienced in Anambra State.

Prof. Yakubu made this announcement during his opening remarks at the second quarterly consultative meeting with political parties held at the INEC Conference Room in Abuja on Thursday, 26 June 2025.

According to Mazi Ejimofor, SSA to the Governor Soludo on New media, the INEC boss stated that the prevailing atmosphere in Anambra State is calm and peaceful, a welcome development in the lead-up to the November 8, 2025, governorship election.

“The INEC Chairman applauded the governor for this achievement and urged him to sustain the current security tempo and safeguard the security architecture in place to ensure a smooth, free, fair, and credible electoral process”.

Prof. Yakubu was said to have recalled the distressing security challenges that marred preparations for the 2021 governorship election in the state. “He lamented the unfortunate incidents in which INEC’s State Headquarters in Awka was attacked, leading to parts of the office being burned and several Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines destroyed”.

Yakubu, the statement added, asserted that several INEC Local Government Area offices were also set ablaze, and electoral materials worth billions of naira were destroyed. At the same time, members of staff were attacked and injured during that tempestuous period.

Against this backdrop, Prof. Yakubu emphasized the importance of sustaining the improved security situation in the state to prevent a recurrence of the 2021 scenario.

He further reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and successful conduct of the forthcoming governorship election.