Despite the ongoing governorship election in Anambra State, many traders at Nkwo Awkuzu Market continued their normal business activities on Saturday, showing little interest in the electoral process.

The usually busy market area buzzed with vehicular movement, and shops selling foodstuffs, provisions, and household items remained open as traders attended to customers.

Speaking with journalists from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), some traders said they had chosen business over voting, citing a lack of faith in the electoral system and economic pressures.

One trader, Amarachi Obina, said she had no plans to vote, insisting that the election outcome was already predictable.

“Whether I vote or not, it won’t change the result,” she said.

Another trader, Abuchi Emeka Nwafor, said she hoped to cast her ballot later in the day but needed to sell her goods first.

“I have to fend for my family. From past experience, whether we vote or not, the hardship affects everyone,” she added.

A market woman who preferred to remain anonymous said the situation reflected the persistence of voter apathy in the state.

“This isn’t just about security. It’s about survival. People must earn daily before thinking of elections. Many have lost confidence in the process,” she explained.

Meanwhile, at Polling Unit 007, other residents were seen turning out to exercise their civic responsibility, even as market activity continued nearby.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded a surprising victory at the polling unit of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, as early results from the Anambra State governorship election continue to trickle in.

At Polling Unit 019, Umudimakasi, Amatutu village in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, where Obi cast his vote, the APC polled 73 votes, defeating the Labour Party, which secured 57 votes.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) followed in third place with 38 votes, while four other parties, YPP, ZLP, APM, ADC, and AAC, each managed one vote.

The outcome marks a notable upset in a community widely regarded as Obi’s political stronghold, as the former Anambra governor has long enjoyed overwhelming support in Agulu and across the broader Anaocha axis.

Although Saturday’s election is a governorship poll, the results from Obi’s polling unit have drawn significant attention, with observers describing them as an unexpected twist.

Analysts, however, note that the APC’s performance may have been bolstered by the presence of its governorship running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, who also hails from the area.

Beyond Obi’s polling unit, the APC continued to post strong showings in other parts of Amatutu.

At Polling Unit 015, located at Amatutu Village Hall, the APC won decisively with 117 votes, ahead of APGA’s 29 and LP’s 10.

Likewise, at Polling Unit 023, situated at the Model Primary Health Care Centre, APC again came out on top with 25 votes, while APGA and LP garnered 8 and 7 votes, respectively. YPP and ADC had one vote apiece.

The pattern of results across these polling units indicates that the APC may be making inroads into Anaocha, an area long considered a bastion of APGA and, in recent elections, Labour Party territory.

Collation of results across the local government area and the rest of the state is still ongoing.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded 75.86 percent of polling unit results from the Anambra State governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

A review by DAILY GAZETTE as of 5:10 pm on Saturday showed that results from 4,339 out of 5,720 polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state had been posted on the portal, roughly four hours after voting ended.

The election, which commenced around 8am, was largely peaceful but characterized by low voter turnout and reports of vote-buying.

Incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who is seeking re-election, alleged that some parties were plotting to tamper with the results.

“The only thing we hear that is actually a concern, and we hope won’t happen, is that one party (he laughs) has written results to swap during the collation process,” Soludo said after voting.

“We hear they have even had meetings with INEC not to upload the results so that they can have the opportunity to manipulate them.”

Similarly, Labour Party (LP) chieftain and former presidential candidate Peter Obi expressed concern over electoral irregularities and the persistence of vote-buying.

“By selling your vote, you’re selling away your schools, your hospitals, your jobs, your future,” Obi warned.

“It is very worrisome. In other West African countries where I have observed elections, I didn’t see such practices. This must stop.”

An election observer with the Situation Room, Dimma Nwobi, also reported incidents of vote-buying across some polling centers.

According to INEC, 2,802,790 registered voters were expected to participate in the poll. A total of 16 candidates are contesting, including Soludo (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), Paul Chukwuma (YPP), George Moghalu (LP), and Jude Ezenwafor (PDP), among others.

As collation continues, early figures indicate APGA is taking an early lead across several local government areas.

Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has cast his vote in the ongoing Anambra governorship election.

Obi exercised his civic duty at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi, Agulu II, Ward 8, in Anaocha Local Government Area on Saturday morning.

After voting, the former governor expressed concern over reports of vote-buying in parts of the state, urging electoral officials and security agencies to act swiftly to maintain the credibility and transparency of the process.

He also called on voters to resist inducements and vote according to their conscience, stressing that democracy could only thrive when the will of the people is freely expressed.

A 96-year-old woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Onike, was seen weeping on Saturday at Umudim Akasi Polling Unit 019, Agulu II, Ward 8, in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State.

The elderly voter reportedly broke down at 10:29 a.m. after being informed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presiding officer that she could not cast her ballot due to the lack of a valid voters’ card.

The polling unit, which has 830 registered voters, experienced a large turnout as residents came out to vote.

Speaking in Igbo, Mrs. Onike lamented:

“I have always voted at this polling unit. I participated in the last election, but now the INEC officials say I do not have a valid voters’ card. My children are not home to assist me. I am heartbroken that I cannot vote to decide who will be my next governor.”

The Anambra governorship election is heating up, with 16 political parties fielding candidates to challenge the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

As the Anambra State governorship election got underway on Saturday, some residents in parts of Awka, the state capital, appeared indifferent to the process, going about their usual routines.

While polling units opened in several areas, DAILY GAZETTE observed that a number of youths preferred to engage in leisure activities such as playing football on street corners rather than heading to voting centres.

In some neighbourhoods, small markets and roadside stalls were open for business, with traders attending to customers as though it were an ordinary day.

However, at Okpuno and Mgbakwu, near Awka, a handful of voters were seen arriving gradually for accreditation.

At Uruotulu, a mobile town crier moved through the community with a public address system, urging residents to participate in the exercise.

“Come out and vote, wherever you are!” he announced repeatedly.

By 8:54 a.m., voting had yet to commence at Polling Units 004 and 005, Umuobi Village Hall, Awkuzu, although several voters were already in line, waiting for INEC officials to fully set up.

Security personnel were stationed at the venue, maintaining order. One officer told DAILY GAZETTE that “everything is in order” and that no security threat had been reported.

Meanwhile, business activities were slowly resuming near the polling centres. Provision shops and food vendors were open, serving voters and passersby.

A food seller, Justina Oyibo, said she decided to open her stall to meet the needs of voters who might get hungry during the exercise.

“People will definitely need something to eat while they wait,” she said.

Another vendor, Grace Igwebuike, added that many voters left home early without breakfast.

“As they vote, they can also eat. It helps them stay comfortable,” she noted.

A civil society observer, Jake Epelle, has assured that residents of Anambra State have little to worry about regarding security as voting begins across the state.

Epelle, who is the Founder of TAF Africa, noted that the people of Anambra are typically peaceful during elections and often take personal responsibility for ensuring calm within their communities.

“The security situation is not something to worry about. Anambra people are peace-loving. Everyone wants to stay safe, so they find ways to protect themselves,” he said.

While acknowledging the heavy deployment of security personnel as a positive step, Epelle cautioned that such presence must be carefully managed to avoid unintended consequences.

“The presence of security agents can be a plus, but they must be careful not to become the very breach they’re meant to prevent,” he added.

Epelle disclosed that he had met with the police during a town hall engagement, where officers assured that they would remain neutral and professional throughout the election.

“They promised not to be partisan. Problems arise when the opposition perceives compromise, that’s when tension starts. Security personnel must stick strictly to their duties,” he emphasized.

He, however, expressed mild concern about potential interference from senior security officials at the national level, warning that such actions could distract field officers and affect smooth coordination.

Epelle also urged voters to turn out in large numbers, appealing to residents to overcome apathy and actively participate in choosing their next governor.

Meanwhile, INEC officials commenced early deployment of materials to polling units in Awka South Local Government Area on Saturday morning.

At St. Matthew Catholic Church, officials were seen boarding buses to various polling stations, while ad hoc staff gathered at Community Primary School, Amawbia for final briefings before departure around 7:07 a.m.

Buses loaded with voting materials were observed leaving the venue as deployment continued across multiple wards in the area.

According to INEC, a total of 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 5,718 polling units in 21 local government areas of the state.

The election features 16 candidates contesting for the governorship across three senatorial districts. Among the leading contenders are Governor Chukwuma Soludo (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), George Moghalu (Labour Party), Paul Chukwuma (YPP), and Jude Ezenwafor (PDP).

The Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Shogunle, also assured residents of a peaceful and secure exercise, noting that clearance operations had been conducted in known flashpoints such as Ihiala.

He said security agencies had neutralised major threats and were fully prepared to maintain peace throughout the election, despite Anambra’s complex terrain and shared borders with five states.