REPORT: Soludo’s campaign banner found near INEC office eve of Anambra poll
A few hours to the Anambra governorship election, a campaign banner featuring Governor Charles Soludo was sighted at the Anaocha Local Government Secretariat in Neni — the same location housing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office for the area.
Premium Times reported on Friday that the banner, which bears the portraits of Soludo and his running mate under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was displayed in front of and behind the main block of the council secretariat, roughly 100 metres from the INEC office.
Its presence contravenes Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which stipulates that public campaigns “shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”
When Premium Times visited the secretariat on Friday evening, INEC officials were seen dispatching sensitive election materials from the Anaocha office to various registration centres across the local government area. The exercise took place under heavy security, with officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on the ground.
The atmosphere in Neni was reported to be calm as election officials concluded preparations for Saturday’s poll.
Premium Times noted that efforts to reach INEC officials for comments on the banner’s proximity to its office proved unsuccessful.
Under the Electoral Act, political parties or candidates who continue campaigns within 24 hours to polling day risk fines of up to ₦500,000 for each violation.
Meanwhile, the Daily Times reported Anambra State Government has urged residents to come out in large numbers and participate actively in the November 8, 2025 governorship election.
In a statement issued by Law Mefor, the Commissioner for Information, the government described voting as a crucial way for citizens to demonstrate their interest and involvement in governance.
“Active participation in this election is particularly important to reverse the low voter turnout recorded during the 2021 governorship election, when only about 200,000 of the over 2.7 million registered voters exercised their franchise,” Mefor said.
He added that voting remains a fundamental civic duty and a demonstration of commitment to democracy.
“As the Light of the Nation, Anambra has consistently taken the lead. Ndi Anambra should therefore, once again lead by example by turning out in large numbers to vote peacefully and responsibly,” he stated.
